We tend to think, “Gosh, there’s so much in life that’s unpredictable.” But we know of many devotees who have been in life-threatening situations and have felt only calmness.

Often, during meditation, nearby odors such as car exhaust, cooking, cigarette smoke, or even upholstery can be distracting to the mind, and may awaken mental associations that have nothing in common with the mood of inner upliftment.

Today many people are fearful for the future. How can we stay open and expansive in this time of uncertainty and turmoil? How do we remember that God is always supporting and guiding us?

My son’s illness was a dramatic example of how adversity can remind us to call on God. I’ve come to see how valuable the difficult times are, and how we can embrace adversity as an impetus to remember to practice God’s presence.

Master seldom praised me for my labor. But he sometimes praised me for my devotion. He was more anxious that develop and perfect ourselves in this quality rather than tremendous outward labor, but in forgetfulness of God.

When I was five-years-old, I was in my backyard and looking intently upward into a thick fog when all of a sudden, bursting through a gap in the fog, came a flock of pearl-white snow geese. Seeing the snow geese thrilled me deeply, and ever since I’ve wanted to immerse myself in nature.