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 SUNDAY LIVESTREAM
JOIN TUESDAY WEEKLY STUDY GROUP
JOIN YOGACHARYA FOR PRACTICING THE PRESENCE RETREAT DAY (NOV 19)

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.

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!

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ONLINE Practicing the Presence Weekly Study Group
with Rev. Ann Sarasvati Hayes
Tuesday Evenings
September 15 - December 1, 2026
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (PT)

Deepen the inspiration of Yogacharya O’Brian’s Satsang series through weekly spiritual study, reflection, and dialogue in community. Join Rev. Ann Sarasvati Hayes for this online study group inspired by the simple yet profound teachings of Brother Lawrence. Together, we will explore practical ways to turn our attention again and again toward the divine presence within and around us, allowing spiritual awareness to become an increasingly natural way of living.

(LEARN MORE & REGISTER) 

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IN-PERSON Practicing the Presence Retreat Day
with Yogacharya O'Brian
Thursday, November 19, 2026
10 AM - 4 PM

Join Yogacharya for this one-day meditation retreat as a companion to her fall Satsang series, Practicing the Presence: Waking Up to Divine Love Every Day.

(LEARN MORE & REGISTER)