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IN-PERSON AND ONLINE Satsang Series with Yogacharya O'Brian
Time
10:00 AM
Location
In-person at CSE and Globally Online
Practicing the Presence: Waking Up to Divine Love Every Day
Satsang Series with Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Four Sundays
September 13, October 4, November 1, December 6
10 AM - 11:30 AM (PT)
Chanting begins at 9:45 AM
JOIN LIVESTREAM
What can a 17th-century monk teach us today that is relevant to our full and frequently distracted lives? Brother Lawrence
practiced a method of prayer so simple and profound that those who sincerely take it up discover the power of the presence within to change their lives for good.
There is within us a center of peace, love, and power that we can enter through the doorway of contemplation and prayer. What if we could experience that love, peace, and power permeating our lives, not just during prayer or meditation but throughout
our day? Teachings found in a tiny mystical book, The Practice of the Presence of God, reveal how.
In this four-part Satsang series with Yogacharya O'Brian:
- Discover a simple way of connecting to divine presence
- Tame your wandering, distracted mind with your power of recollection
- Free yourself from worry and open to inner guidance
- Deepen your spiritual awareness of divine support in all circumstances
"His prayer was simply an awareness of the divine presence, at which time his soul was oblivious to everything else but love. Afterward he found no difference, so that he passed his days in continual joy." —from a conversation with Brother
Lawrence in 1667
September 13: Practicing the Presence
“I suddenly found myself changed and my soul, which up until then was always disturbed, experienced a profound interior peace.” —Brother Lawrence
Practicing the presence is a radical shift from “ego” at the center asking for what we want, to communing with God as the center of our life and all life. Trusting that all good, protection, and grace proceed from that conscious connection to
the One brings connection to all and draws to us what we need.
[AUDIO] [VIDEO]
October 4: You Are Not the Only One Troubled by Wandering Thoughts
"If you keep your mind from judging and aren’t led by the senses, your heart will find peace." —Tao Te Ching
When a spiritual friend wrote Brother Lawrence about the problem she experienced with prayer and meditation due to her distracted mind, he replied that she was not saying anything new. It’s a common enough challenge and in our day and age, even
more so. We are generally more distracted than recollected, and we pay a price for that. The cost is in our joy, our joy in living. Yet this joy is always there for us to reclaim, anytime we decide to intentionally engage our will. Learn the way of recollection.
November 1: Free Yourself from Worry
"When he had outside business to attend to, he did not think of it ahead of time, but when it was time to take action in the matter, God showed him, as in a mirror, what he should do." —from The Practice of the Presence of God
What Brother Lawrence found as a way of prayer is not so much a specific kind of prayer as it is a way to live. He discovered a way to live with grace and ease—a simple way that allows the inner Light to provide guidance, step by step. Let's imagine
this way of working and being in the world of action. How would it be to be free of anxious thought or worry? Having the faith that when it is time to act, right action will be revealed? Discover this simple way to be present.
December 6: Divine Power Is Already at Work in Your Life
"You have outwitted me." —Brother Lawrence
By his own estimation, Brother Lawrence was clumsy at best and bumbled along in his job. He had low self-esteem and considered himself a failure. But thankfully, he discovered something quite different. He discovered divine love and goodness flowing
into his life without measure—so much so that he said he declared to God, “You have outwitted me.”
The Divine One outwits us all, offering more love, goodness, inspiration, wisdom, grace, and power to transform our lives than we ever imagined. This Sunday, learn how practicing the presence increases your chances of being outwitted for good!
On-line Registration is not currently active for this event.
Info & Registration
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IN-PERSON Practicing the Presence Retreat Day with Yogacharya O'Brian
Time
10:00 AM
Location
In-person at CSE
Practicing the Presence
A Meditation Retreat Day with Yogacharya O'Brian
Thursday, November 19, 2026
10 AM - 4 PM
Info & Registration
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IN-PERSON AND ONLINE Satsang Series with Yogacharya O'Brian
Time
10:00 AM
Location
In-person at CSE and Globally Online
Practicing the Presence: Waking Up to Divine Love Every Day
Satsang Series with Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Four Sundays
September 13, October 4, November 1, December 6
10 AM - 11:30 AM (PT)
Chanting begins at 9:45 AM
JOIN LIVESTREAM
What can a 17th-century monk teach us today that is relevant to our full and frequently distracted lives? Brother Lawrence
practiced a method of prayer so simple and profound that those who sincerely take it up discover the power of the presence within to change their lives for good.
There is within us a center of peace, love, and power that we can enter through the doorway of contemplation and prayer. What if we could experience that love, peace, and power permeating our lives, not just during prayer or meditation but throughout
our day? Teachings found in a tiny mystical book, The Practice of the Presence of God, reveal how.
In this four-part Satsang series with Yogacharya O'Brian:
- Discover a simple way of connecting to divine presence
- Tame your wandering, distracted mind with your power of recollection
- Free yourself from worry and open to inner guidance
- Deepen your spiritual awareness of divine support in all circumstances
"His prayer was simply an awareness of the divine presence, at which time his soul was oblivious to everything else but love. Afterward he found no difference, so that he passed his days in continual joy." —from a conversation with Brother
Lawrence in 1667
September 13: Practicing the Presence
“I suddenly found myself changed and my soul, which up until then was always disturbed, experienced a profound interior peace.” —Brother Lawrence
Practicing the presence is a radical shift from “ego” at the center asking for what we want, to communing with God as the center of our life and all life. Trusting that all good, protection, and grace proceed from that conscious connection to
the One brings connection to all and draws to us what we need.
[AUDIO] [VIDEO]
October 4: You Are Not the Only One Troubled by Wandering Thoughts
"If you keep your mind from judging and aren’t led by the senses, your heart will find peace." —Tao Te Ching
When a spiritual friend wrote Brother Lawrence about the problem she experienced with prayer and meditation due to her distracted mind, he replied that she was not saying anything new. It’s a common enough challenge and in our day and age, even
more so. We are generally more distracted than recollected, and we pay a price for that. The cost is in our joy, our joy in living. Yet this joy is always there for us to reclaim, anytime we decide to intentionally engage our will. Learn the way of recollection.
November 1: Free Yourself from Worry
"When he had outside business to attend to, he did not think of it ahead of time, but when it was time to take action in the matter, God showed him, as in a mirror, what he should do." —from The Practice of the Presence of God
What Brother Lawrence found as a way of prayer is not so much a specific kind of prayer as it is a way to live. He discovered a way to live with grace and ease—a simple way that allows the inner Light to provide guidance, step by step. Let's imagine
this way of working and being in the world of action. How would it be to be free of anxious thought or worry? Having the faith that when it is time to act, right action will be revealed? Discover this simple way to be present.
December 6: Divine Power Is Already at Work in Your Life
"You have outwitted me." —Brother Lawrence
By his own estimation, Brother Lawrence was clumsy at best and bumbled along in his job. He had low self-esteem and considered himself a failure. But thankfully, he discovered something quite different. He discovered divine love and goodness flowing
into his life without measure—so much so that he said he declared to God, “You have outwitted me.”
The Divine One outwits us all, offering more love, goodness, inspiration, wisdom, grace, and power to transform our lives than we ever imagined. This Sunday, learn how practicing the presence increases your chances of being outwitted for good!
On-line Registration is not currently active for this event.
Info & Registration
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IN-PERSON Annual Youth Blessing
Time
10:00 AM
Location
CSE Temple
Annual Youth Blessing
with Yogacharya O'Brian
Sunday, December 6, 2026
10 AM - 11:30 AM
(as part of Sunday Satsang)
In every child who is born under no matter what circumstances and of no matter what parents, the potentiality of the human race is born again, and in him [or her], too, once more, and each of us, our terrific responsibility toward human life...
—James
Agee
This Sunday Satsang is a special time set aside to bless all youth in our community—a time to honor this spark of the Divine within them and all of the youth in our world. We bless them on their life's journey and commit
to their well-being. Seeing the little ones, we remember the blessed innocence and joy of the Divine within us all. All youth, infants through teens, are welcome for this special blessing!
Pre-registration requested.
Info & Registration
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IN-PERSON AND ONLINE Meditation for the Holy Days
Time
6:00 PM
Location
In-person & Online
Meditation for the Holy Days
with Yogacharya O'Brian & CSE Ministers
Wednesday, December 23, 2026
6 PM - 8 PM (PT)
You are warmly invited to stop for a moment, to sit in silence, breathe, and remember the divine light within you. Join us in person or online.
Offered freely. Registration requested.
Info & Registration
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IN-PERSON AND ONLINE New Year Kriya Yoga Retreat with Yogacharya O'Brian
Time
4:00 PM
Location
In-Person & Online
Begin the New Year with Clarity and Inspiration
NEW YEAR KRIYA YOGA MEDITATION RETREAT
with Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
December 31, 2026 - January 3, 2027
(Thursday Evening - Sunday Afternoon)
Open to the highest possibilities for your life. Learn and practice the ancient disciplines of Kriya Yoga to hone your receptivity to inner guidance and chart your course for the year ahead with soul inspiration.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Info & Registration
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A RITUAL TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR with Yogacharya O'Brian
Time
1:00 PM
Location
Online & In-Person
A RITUAL TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR
with Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Sunday, January 3, 2027
1 PM – 3 PM (PT)
Offered freely. Registration is required.
Info & Registration
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