I have noticed that the majority of the attendees of our spiritual events are female. Why is that? Here are my observations which, of course, do not apply to everyone. The female is often naturally born with a tender heart, ready to nurture children and family just for the sake of love. This natural instinct is a core sign of a spiritual aspirant. A loving heart means one can more likely experience unification and oneness because the ego is not so focused on itself. As the ego dissolves, love takes over the body and mind. Realizing that females often express such loving qualities, I want to learn from them. So I make it a point to hang out with females, hoping that their loving ways would rub off on me. Being in a loving atmosphere seems to awaken more love in my life.

I notice that every time I experience love, I feel more fulfilled, happy and content even if the circumstances of life are challenging. In other words, love is my greatest companion, especially during difficult times. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that if my heart is completely saturated in love, it would not matter what circumstance came up in my life, I would still feel supported, happy and secure. It seems that sharing this love is an important way of cultivating more love within me. The more I give, the more flows through me. I become an embodiment of love. All my actions, words, and thoughts are based in love. Since females often have an in-born desire to express love, it would make sense that they would naturally be attracted to events that cultivate more love. Hence, the majority of the people who come to our spiritual gatherings are female.

Of course, males do attend spiritual gatherings. But I have observed that the male psychology is often goal oriented. I used to be very focused on achieving things. Every time I achieved something, I felt better about myself. Interestingly, love is a way of being, not an achievement. So there is not much to "achieve" in a spiritual gathering. Indeed, the desire to achieve actually falls away, and the spiritual aspirant falls more into a mode of surrender. Surrendering the desire for all those things (wealth, power, fame) because those things never gave permanent happiness anyway! Of course, every male does have a loving side, and this side can easily be cultivated by hanging out with loving people. It is so nice to love for love's sake and never need anything in return!

Affectionately,
Brian

The Sanctuary for Peace, located near Ojai, CA, is a land of Light, a land of peace, and a land of love. It is a refuge, a safe haven, a spiritual oasis. Imagine entering a realm whose air washes over the body, mind, and soul, and cleanses one of sorrow and pain. With every step, one's spirit feels more uplifted and serene. It is said that the Sanctuary contains the Energy and Grace of the Himalayas. Just as spiritual seekers make a pilgrimage to those mighty mountains of India, so too, they may enjoy a similar power at the Sanctuary.

Recently I led a group meditation walk at the Sanctuary for Peace. Passing through the front gate, we drove by the house of Anandam where Swami Purna dwells a few days out of the year. Swami Purna sanctified this land in October 2014. We sit near the spot where Swami Purna first set intentions for the land, and we sing a holy mantra in honor of the Divine. I speak about the nature of Truth and how the Sanctuary environment is so helpful for catalyzing spiritual evolution.

We approach the fountain of Gaya where we pray for our ancestors. The blessings at Gaya empower our prayers and purify our ancestral line. Then we walk up to the "Purna Path," a walking trail energized with Health and Happiness. On the sign is inscribed the Purna mantra: "Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudacyate Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashisyate." Translation: "This is Whole, that is Whole. From Wholeness comes the Whole. When we take away the Whole from the Whole, the Whole still remains Whole."

We approach the statue of Ganesh, overlooking the distant Pacific Ocean. Ganesh is the God with the head of an elephant who helps to remove obstacles from one's path. By connecting to the energy of Ganesh, one can release blocks to a deeper connection with the blessings of the Sanctuary. Then we face the beautiful statue of Hanuman, the Monkey God, who helps us to increase strength, faith, and devotion.

Moving down the wide path, covered in wood chips, we approach a rock in the shape of a Shiva Lingam. The Shiva Lingam is charged with the energy of pure consciousness, assisting us in transcending the body and mind. We touch the stone and then rub the energy over our forehead. Then we come upon Swami Purna's "padukas" or holy sandals which represent the Grace of the Guru. Tuning in to this transformative energy, we circumnambulate the sandals three times and ring the bell to complete this spiritual practice. Circumnambulation, also called "parikrama," is an ancient practice from India in which the spiritual seeker makes circles around the blessed object to connect with the energy. The sound of the bell is a vibration beyond this world that can send the mind into deep meditation. 

Nearby is the Sankalpa Bench handmade from clay and straw (cobb). Sankalpa, a sanskrit term, means wish or determination. As we sit on the bench, we make our sankalpa for whatever our heart desires most, and the energy of the bench empowers this wish. Across the way, there is a small bench overlooking the mountains and ocean where we can sit and contemplate.

Further down the trail, we arrive at the Yoga Deck, a place designed for physical healing and strengthening the life force. A few people can do yoga on the deck at the same time. On this spot, Swami Purna chanted "Om Praan Vayu Namaha" to empower the energy that runs the body. Then we walk through the woods to reach the end of the trail and sit underneath the "Bodhi Tree." The energy of meditation is so peaceful in this spot. It overlooks a beautiful view of the valley, mountain ranges, and city of Santa Rosa.

Then we return to the beginning of our meditation walk and sit together, expressing gratitude for the blessings we have received. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share the Sanctuary with other people. I am grateful to witness the peaceful change that affects many visitors. May we continue to support the Sanctuary for Peace and share the Light that emanates from this holy land.

With love,
​Brian

Kristin and I were walking through a wooded park in Simi Valley when we came across a baby squirrel, making coughing noises near a tree. I reached out and petted the squirrel gently, and slowly, he began to calm. When I moved away, he walked over and snuggled against my shoe and I petted him for a few more minutes. His eyes began to relax and close. Clearly Junior, as we dubbed him, was feeling sick. Kristin got a bag out of the car and we drove him to the 24 hour veterinary hospital. On the way to the hospital, we sang him an "Awakening Lullaby":
Suddhosi buddhosi Niranjanosi
Sansara Maya Parivarjitosi
Samsara Sapna Taja Moja Nidram

You are forever pure, You are forever true
and the dream of this world can never touch you
So give up your attachment and give up your confusion
and fly to that space that’s beyond all illusion

And Junior relaxed even more in the bag. It seemed that he felt quite safe. We dropped him off at the hospital and expressed our gratitude for the wonderful service they provided. Later on, Junior went to the Squirrel Lady where he was to be rehabilitated. We are very happy for Junior.

Long ago, my Teacher, Svami Purna, an Enlightened Himalayan Master, was walking through the forest when he came across an abandoned baby lion. He decided to take care of the lion, and soon, "Ananda Junior" was following him everywhere. Every day, he sang the Awakening Lullaby to this lion. And one day, Svami Purna decided to see the Maya - the world of humans. So he entered Mumbai, a bustling city in India, with the  lion by his side. The inhabitants were quite amazed, and soon the mayor himself had come to greet Swamiji. Together they walked to the center of town, and Swamiji sat on the ground with his lion lying gently next to him. Someone decided to challenge this mysterious yogi by bringing a cow to the scene. Swamiji gestured to the man: "Come, come!" and he brought the cow. The cow then sat down next to the great yogi. Swamiji had some fresh grass brought to the cow on one side and cow milk for the lion to sip on. Together the three of them enjoyed their repose. Then Swamiji decided to leave the city behind with his enlightened lion, and they both returned to the forest.

​This is the power of the Awakening Lullaby. Sing it every day to your children, and they, too, can enjoy its beautiful spiritual vibration.

with love,
Brian