As I'm writing today, I'm amazed at how little I've shared about my training this summer. As soon as I returned, life became effulgent with preparations for the Global Mala. One of the highlights of my experience this summer was Paramahansa Yogananda's Lake Shrine which was established in 1950. Paramahansa Yogananda was one of the most incredible Yogi's to ever walk the earth. He wrote Autobiography of a Yogi, which is a must-read at some point for anyone who wishes to develop fully in their Yoga practice and journey.

When I went to the two-week training with Shiva Rea, I had no idea I would be visiting the Lake Shrine. So on Thursday, of the second week there, when the schedule said Vision Quest from 12 - 8 pm that day, I didn't know we would be led to this sacred place. The Lake Shrine is located at the westernmost end of Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades (about a 30-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles), just seconds from the Pacific Ocean. It is a beautiful outdoor sanctuary and meditation garden, unlike anything I've seen. Before Yogananda ever moved to the West from India, his guru told him he would establish an ashram and headquarters for the SRF in this place. So, the Lake Shrine was inspired completely through faith and the vision that was inspired into him by his teacher, and ultimately God...

Some of the ashes of Gandhi, who was a friend of Yogananda's, are also at the Lake Shrine. It is said that Yogananada's message, besides being a light and guide for how to realize the Great Divine within ones own Self, is to dissolve the differences and boundaries between the great religions of the world revealing that all of the Masters were teaching the same inherent Truth. This Truth is that... Truth, or God, Resides Universally in Everyone. Throughout Autobiography of a Yogi, Yogananda demonstrates and teaches that Christianity and the teachings of Hinduism flow from the same Source. Jesus' teachinngs were inspired by the spiritual traditions and teachers who had graced the earth before his time, and of course, through his direct communion with God. Having been raised as a Christian myself, and still feeling most deeply drawn to Jesus as my teacher, Autobiography of a Yogi brought insight, understanding and awareness to me that the Christ-Consciousness is the intention of Yoga and Yoga is...the Christ-Consciousness, the Krishna Consciousness, the Buddha Consciousness...all of these faiths share the same intention of uniting with the Source...THE CONSCIOUSNESS, and this CONSCIOUSNESS is LOVE, otherwise known as GOD.

If you haven't read it yet, I encourage you to open to the possibility of reading the spiritually inspired and miraculous Autobiography of a Yogi...it will blow your mind away and strengthen your faith in God and the possibility that Anything is Possible with belief and faith. With over 500 pages and rich with Yogic Philosophy, it is not an easy book to read. I purchased the book in 2002, a year after beginning Yoga, but did not finish it until the end of 2005. I would pick it up from time-to-time, but would put it back down, feeling overwhelmed with the information. But, when the time was right for me to ripen through this book, I was able to flow through it effortlessly and eagerly. I couldn't put it down and was inspired and amazed with what I was reading and learning.

While I was at the Lake Shrine, I asked one of the SRF volunteers what the next best step for me would be, having read Autobiography of a Yogi. He shared with me about the Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Lessons, which I since ordered for a graciously inexpensive and Divine price, and have received the first two lessons in the mail just last week. These are lessons which were written by Paramahansa Yogananda (AMAZING) and they are meant to guide one's journey of meditation and God Communion a.k.a. Yoga. I would like to share the first lesson with you, as it makes such perfect sense it would be first on this path of Yoga. It is the principle of Isvara-Pranidhana, otherwise known as Surrender to God's Will. Here it is as beautifully and eloquently written by Yogananda himself:

Affirmation:

I shall tune my free will with the infinite will of God, and my only desire shall be to do the wisdom-guided will of Him who created me.

Namaste!

p.s.-Check out this amazing documentary Yogamates.com is putting together of the Global Mala events that took place all around the planet on September 21, 22, and 23, 2007!Read more