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The Jewel of Abundance: Finding Prosperity through the Ancient Wisdom of Yoga
Achieve Success and Prosperity through the Principles of Yoga
Although millions of Westerners practice yoga simply for its health benefits, the philosophy and wisdom behind the multifaceted discipline have far more to offer. In The Jewel of Abundance, award-winning author and Kriya Yoga teacher Ellen Grace O'Brian reveals an overlooked aspect of its powerful teachings on prosperity. She draws upon the ancient Vedic tradition of yoga philosophy and practice and shows how spirituality and earthly success can complement each other, leading to realization of the higher Self. O'Brian presents a clear explanation of both the philosophy of yoga and the nuts and bolts of practice, such as setting up a daily meditation routine, incorporating mantras, discerning how to cooperate with universal principles for complete well-being, and cultivating mindfulness in action.
Along the way, she illustrates her lessons with personal stories and timeless sayings from great sages, both Eastern and Western. With O'Brian's insightful guidance, readers will discover an inexhaustible source of abundance that is available to them whenever they look within.
Although millions of Westerners practice yoga simply for its health benefits, the philosophy and wisdom behind the multifaceted discipline have far more to offer. In The Jewel of Abundance, award-winning author and Kriya Yoga teacher Ellen Grace O'Brian reveals an overlooked aspect of its powerful teachings on prosperity. She draws upon the ancient Vedic tradition of yoga philosophy and practice and shows how spirituality and earthly success can complement each other, leading to realization of the higher Self. O'Brian presents a clear explanation of both the philosophy of yoga and the nuts and bolts of practice, such as setting up a daily meditation routine, incorporating mantras, discerning how to cooperate with universal principles for complete well-being, and cultivating mindfulness in action.
Along the way, she illustrates her lessons with personal stories and timeless sayings from great sages, both Eastern and Western. With O'Brian's insightful guidance, readers will discover an inexhaustible source of abundance that is available to them whenever they look within.
- GenresNonfictionSpirituality
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2018
29 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Grace O'Brian
17 books34 followersYogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian is a meditation teacher, poet, writer, and the spiritual director of the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment—a Kriya Yoga Meditation Center with headquarters in San Jose, California. She has taught Kriya Yoga nationally and internationally for more than three decades and has received several community service awards, including the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Promotion of Religious Pluralism from the American Hindu Foundation. Ordained to teach in 1982 by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, her message is “engaged enlightenment” – an invitation to live an awakened, creatively inspired, and fulfilled life, now.
Along with her service as a meditation teacher and esteemed Yogacharya, Ellen Grace O’Brian is the Founder of Carry the Vision, a community nonviolence education project bringing meditation instruction to staff and children in schools, the prison population, and other segments of society. Her work on behalf of interfaith cooperation includes several years of service as Vice Chair of the Parliament of the World’s Religions and Chair of their Partner Cities Program, supporting global collaboration between interfaith groups in cities around the world. She is the founder and President of Meru Institute, providing healthy lifestyle education and leadership training in yoga studies, Ayurveda, and community service. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, with an emphasis in Transpersonal Counseling.
Yogacharya O’Brian’s published works include Living the Eternal Way: Spiritual Meaning and Practice in Daily Life and Living for the Sake of the Soul, as well as three volumes of poetry including the award-winning 2017 release: The Moon Reminded Me. She is editor of Enlightenment Journal and host of The Yoga Hour, a weekly podcast with listeners in over 130 countries. Her latest book, The Jewel Abundance: Finding Prosperity through the Ancient Wisdom of Yoga, was recently published by New World Library.
For more information, visit:
Website: https://ellengraceobrian.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/EllenGraceOB...
Along with her service as a meditation teacher and esteemed Yogacharya, Ellen Grace O’Brian is the Founder of Carry the Vision, a community nonviolence education project bringing meditation instruction to staff and children in schools, the prison population, and other segments of society. Her work on behalf of interfaith cooperation includes several years of service as Vice Chair of the Parliament of the World’s Religions and Chair of their Partner Cities Program, supporting global collaboration between interfaith groups in cities around the world. She is the founder and President of Meru Institute, providing healthy lifestyle education and leadership training in yoga studies, Ayurveda, and community service. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, with an emphasis in Transpersonal Counseling.
Yogacharya O’Brian’s published works include Living the Eternal Way: Spiritual Meaning and Practice in Daily Life and Living for the Sake of the Soul, as well as three volumes of poetry including the award-winning 2017 release: The Moon Reminded Me. She is editor of Enlightenment Journal and host of The Yoga Hour, a weekly podcast with listeners in over 130 countries. Her latest book, The Jewel Abundance: Finding Prosperity through the Ancient Wisdom of Yoga, was recently published by New World Library.
For more information, visit:
Website: https://ellengraceobrian.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/EllenGraceOB...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 28, 2018
Brought a new level of understanding of what it means to be spiritual
I have been getting in touch with my spiritual beliefs over the last few months and have purchased and read a number of books in this regard. None have brought as great a level of understanding as this book has. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for clarity on what spiritual enlightenment is and where and how to start your practice. This book will get you on the right path.
I have been getting in touch with my spiritual beliefs over the last few months and have purchased and read a number of books in this regard. None have brought as great a level of understanding as this book has. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for clarity on what spiritual enlightenment is and where and how to start your practice. This book will get you on the right path.
December 15, 2018
This wonderful book can serve as a “how to” guide to living a joy filled life of purpose. Ellen Grace O’Brian shows us how the ancient teachings of yoga can help us lead a life of true prosperity. She guides us in the discovery of the jewel of abundance that is within each and every one of us. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for something that seems to be missing in his or her life.
April 29, 2019
Endorsements
“Yoga is the science of the self. It is a practical science that validates the knowledge that the self of the individual is the self of the universe. When you are one with the Source of existence, you are one with infinite abundance and with the unlimited potential of all manifestation. This jewel of a book will show you how to tap into your inner intelligence, the ultimate and supreme genius that mirrors the wisdom of the cosmos. Cultivate wealth consciousness, and affluence and prosperity will effortlessly flow toward you in all their manifestations.”
— Deepak Chopra, bestselling author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams and You Are the Universe: Discovering Your Cosmic Self and Why It Matters
“The Jewel of Abundance will inspire, challenge, and motivate readers to discover and express their innate potential to experience excellence in all aspects of life. Having known Ellen Grace O’Brian for almost four decades, I am pleased to affirm her good character and total commitment to living the principles she so clearly explains.”
— Roy Eugene Davis, founder and director of Center for Spiritual Awareness and author of Paramahansa Yogananda as I Knew Him: Experiences, Observations, and Reflections of a Disciple
“The Jewel of Abundance lays out a well-defined perspective on prosperity, wealth, and abundance. It presents a balanced view that takes into account common human needs and shows us simple ways to find happiness and satisfaction that lie beyond the accumulation of material objects. Ellen Grace O’Brian carefully and simply presents ancient wisdom so that one can easily begin to make the necessary changes to one’s lifestyle. One does not have to be a saint to follow the path of righteousness; one simply has to learn the ways of dharma, kama, and artha and apply them to one’s daily life. The Jewel of Abundance is a very valuable book containing gems of wisdom. It can help the world change its course from the present crisis of materialism to a sustainable lifestyle.”
— Ela Gandhi, peace activist and founder of the Gandhi Development Trust
“A perennial issue for professional yoga teachers and therapists is the perceived tension between the need for reasonable material prosperity and the desire for spiritual growth. Hence, The Jewel of Abundance is a timely, practical, and indeed inspiring guide for reconciling these conflicts based on the classic teachings of the purusharthas — the four aims of human life — and many other timeless lessons from the yoga tradition. As Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian says, ‘Prosperity provides the means to fulfill our divine potential; it’s the vehicle for the divine dream to manifest.’ She writes paragraphs that are jewels in their own right. Thus my advice is to read as I did — slowly, to allow the time required to savor and reflect on her wisdom. Do her suggested practices. You will find yourself refreshed and renewed in both your work and your spirit.”
— John Kepner, MA (Econ), MBA, C-IAYT, executive director of the International Association of Yoga Therapists
“Wealth (artha) is a difficult and yet necessary topic for all to contemplate, as we live in a world of greed, competition, and selfishness motivated by scarcity and desires. Ellen Grace O’Brian has dived to the depths of the soul to transform our fears into courage and our sense of lack into our joy of abundance. She not only enlightens the reader about what true abundance is but also reassures the reader that it is reachable step-by-step. The Jewel of Abundance is accessible to a vast audience with transparent, graceful, and wise words.”
— Swami Sitaramananda, acharya of International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers
“To live well is to thrive physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. But how? Most self-help books focus on one of these factors, often at the expense of the other three. Ellen Grace O’Brian’s The Jewel of Abundance recognizes the interdependence of all four. That’s because this is not a self-help book, but a Self-help book: a manual for liberating the soul that optimizes body, heart, mind, and spirit as well. Please don’t read this book. Practice it.”
— Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent
“Many of us aspire to purpose, and perhaps even enlightenment, in our lifetimes, but few realize that the path leads through prosperity and pleasure as equally important steps on the journey. Ellen Grace O’Brian’s clear and compelling words bring unique perspective to wisdom from ancient teachings, in language that is even more powerful today.”
— Scott Kriens, chairman and former CEO of Juniper Networks and cofounder of 1440 Multiversity
“Gaining true prosperity rests upon understanding our karmas and fulfilling our dharma, or soul’s purpose. Then we can achieve the outer success we need while continuing to progress along our spiritual path. In The Jewel of Abundance, Ellen Grace O’Brian provides us with the yogic keys to this process of realizing our inner abundance and letting it manifest in the world around us.”
— Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri), author of Yoga and Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization and Shiva: The Lord of Yoga
“Happiness, beauty, and abundance, symbolized by the goddess Lakshmi in yogic thought, arise along with Lord Vishnu, who represents wisdom, self-control, and detachment. Ellen Grace O’Brian reminds us that our outer life must be a mirror of our inner life in order for us to achieve our full potential in all that we do.”
— Shambhavi Lorain Chopra, author of Yogini: Unfolding the Goddess Within and Yogic Secrets of the Dark Goddess: Lighting Dance of the Supreme Shakti
“The Jewel of Abundance by Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian is an excellent template to truly understand the meaning of artha as a tool to fulfill your dharma and continue to strive toward moksha. Perfect health is the foundation for right action, contentment, and nonsensorial happiness. O’Brian offers wonderful yogic tools to help you attract abundance and make a difference in your own unique way. Read, practice, and enjoy the gifts of human potential.”
— Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, BAMS, MD (Ayurveda), author of The Art and Science of Vedic Counseling and Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life: How to Harness the Power of Clock Genes to Lose Weight, Optimize Your Workout, and Finally Get a Good Night's Sleep
“This epiphany-provoking, majestically written book, rich with life lessons and ancient wisdom, is a must-read. Every word rings with truth — it is a gem to be treasured. I stand in awe of Yogacharya O’Brian’s honesty and brilliance as a spiritual teacher and writer. The majesty of her prose powerfully yet gently guides humanity along an awakened journey toward thriving both materially and spiritually, despite crisis and loss or deep-seated patterns of depravity and lack. This book imparts truth, courage, inspiration, and hope. I recommend it to Vedic, yoga, and Ayurveda students worldwide.”
— Acharya Shunya, founder and preceptor of Vedika Global and author of Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom: A Complete Prescription to Optimize Your Health, Prevent Disease, and Live with Vitality and Joy
“You are holding in your hands definitive proof that spirituality and prosperity are aligned. Even better, it’s an easy-to-read guidebook for letting go of limiting beliefs and the behaviors that are likely blocking access to happiness and abundance — what we might call ‘spiritual clutter.’ In this book, Ellen Grace O’Brian gives us the tools and instructions to set ourselves free and to thrive in this fast-paced, unpredictable world. The Jewel of Abundance shows us how simple and attainable wealth is, in every form. And the best news is, as with every great coming-home story, she reminds us that we were born with everything we need to succeed already!”
— Andrew Mellen, speaker, professional organizer, and author of Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good
“Yoga is the science of the self. It is a practical science that validates the knowledge that the self of the individual is the self of the universe. When you are one with the Source of existence, you are one with infinite abundance and with the unlimited potential of all manifestation. This jewel of a book will show you how to tap into your inner intelligence, the ultimate and supreme genius that mirrors the wisdom of the cosmos. Cultivate wealth consciousness, and affluence and prosperity will effortlessly flow toward you in all their manifestations.”
— Deepak Chopra, bestselling author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams and You Are the Universe: Discovering Your Cosmic Self and Why It Matters
“The Jewel of Abundance will inspire, challenge, and motivate readers to discover and express their innate potential to experience excellence in all aspects of life. Having known Ellen Grace O’Brian for almost four decades, I am pleased to affirm her good character and total commitment to living the principles she so clearly explains.”
— Roy Eugene Davis, founder and director of Center for Spiritual Awareness and author of Paramahansa Yogananda as I Knew Him: Experiences, Observations, and Reflections of a Disciple
“The Jewel of Abundance lays out a well-defined perspective on prosperity, wealth, and abundance. It presents a balanced view that takes into account common human needs and shows us simple ways to find happiness and satisfaction that lie beyond the accumulation of material objects. Ellen Grace O’Brian carefully and simply presents ancient wisdom so that one can easily begin to make the necessary changes to one’s lifestyle. One does not have to be a saint to follow the path of righteousness; one simply has to learn the ways of dharma, kama, and artha and apply them to one’s daily life. The Jewel of Abundance is a very valuable book containing gems of wisdom. It can help the world change its course from the present crisis of materialism to a sustainable lifestyle.”
— Ela Gandhi, peace activist and founder of the Gandhi Development Trust
“A perennial issue for professional yoga teachers and therapists is the perceived tension between the need for reasonable material prosperity and the desire for spiritual growth. Hence, The Jewel of Abundance is a timely, practical, and indeed inspiring guide for reconciling these conflicts based on the classic teachings of the purusharthas — the four aims of human life — and many other timeless lessons from the yoga tradition. As Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian says, ‘Prosperity provides the means to fulfill our divine potential; it’s the vehicle for the divine dream to manifest.’ She writes paragraphs that are jewels in their own right. Thus my advice is to read as I did — slowly, to allow the time required to savor and reflect on her wisdom. Do her suggested practices. You will find yourself refreshed and renewed in both your work and your spirit.”
— John Kepner, MA (Econ), MBA, C-IAYT, executive director of the International Association of Yoga Therapists
“Wealth (artha) is a difficult and yet necessary topic for all to contemplate, as we live in a world of greed, competition, and selfishness motivated by scarcity and desires. Ellen Grace O’Brian has dived to the depths of the soul to transform our fears into courage and our sense of lack into our joy of abundance. She not only enlightens the reader about what true abundance is but also reassures the reader that it is reachable step-by-step. The Jewel of Abundance is accessible to a vast audience with transparent, graceful, and wise words.”
— Swami Sitaramananda, acharya of International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers
“To live well is to thrive physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. But how? Most self-help books focus on one of these factors, often at the expense of the other three. Ellen Grace O’Brian’s The Jewel of Abundance recognizes the interdependence of all four. That’s because this is not a self-help book, but a Self-help book: a manual for liberating the soul that optimizes body, heart, mind, and spirit as well. Please don’t read this book. Practice it.”
— Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent
“Many of us aspire to purpose, and perhaps even enlightenment, in our lifetimes, but few realize that the path leads through prosperity and pleasure as equally important steps on the journey. Ellen Grace O’Brian’s clear and compelling words bring unique perspective to wisdom from ancient teachings, in language that is even more powerful today.”
— Scott Kriens, chairman and former CEO of Juniper Networks and cofounder of 1440 Multiversity
“Gaining true prosperity rests upon understanding our karmas and fulfilling our dharma, or soul’s purpose. Then we can achieve the outer success we need while continuing to progress along our spiritual path. In The Jewel of Abundance, Ellen Grace O’Brian provides us with the yogic keys to this process of realizing our inner abundance and letting it manifest in the world around us.”
— Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri), author of Yoga and Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization and Shiva: The Lord of Yoga
“Happiness, beauty, and abundance, symbolized by the goddess Lakshmi in yogic thought, arise along with Lord Vishnu, who represents wisdom, self-control, and detachment. Ellen Grace O’Brian reminds us that our outer life must be a mirror of our inner life in order for us to achieve our full potential in all that we do.”
— Shambhavi Lorain Chopra, author of Yogini: Unfolding the Goddess Within and Yogic Secrets of the Dark Goddess: Lighting Dance of the Supreme Shakti
“The Jewel of Abundance by Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian is an excellent template to truly understand the meaning of artha as a tool to fulfill your dharma and continue to strive toward moksha. Perfect health is the foundation for right action, contentment, and nonsensorial happiness. O’Brian offers wonderful yogic tools to help you attract abundance and make a difference in your own unique way. Read, practice, and enjoy the gifts of human potential.”
— Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, BAMS, MD (Ayurveda), author of The Art and Science of Vedic Counseling and Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life: How to Harness the Power of Clock Genes to Lose Weight, Optimize Your Workout, and Finally Get a Good Night's Sleep
“This epiphany-provoking, majestically written book, rich with life lessons and ancient wisdom, is a must-read. Every word rings with truth — it is a gem to be treasured. I stand in awe of Yogacharya O’Brian’s honesty and brilliance as a spiritual teacher and writer. The majesty of her prose powerfully yet gently guides humanity along an awakened journey toward thriving both materially and spiritually, despite crisis and loss or deep-seated patterns of depravity and lack. This book imparts truth, courage, inspiration, and hope. I recommend it to Vedic, yoga, and Ayurveda students worldwide.”
— Acharya Shunya, founder and preceptor of Vedika Global and author of Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom: A Complete Prescription to Optimize Your Health, Prevent Disease, and Live with Vitality and Joy
“You are holding in your hands definitive proof that spirituality and prosperity are aligned. Even better, it’s an easy-to-read guidebook for letting go of limiting beliefs and the behaviors that are likely blocking access to happiness and abundance — what we might call ‘spiritual clutter.’ In this book, Ellen Grace O’Brian gives us the tools and instructions to set ourselves free and to thrive in this fast-paced, unpredictable world. The Jewel of Abundance shows us how simple and attainable wealth is, in every form. And the best news is, as with every great coming-home story, she reminds us that we were born with everything we need to succeed already!”
— Andrew Mellen, speaker, professional organizer, and author of Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good
March 9, 2019
Jewel of Abundance draws on the ancient Vedic tradition of yoga philosophy and practice to show how spirituality and wealth can complement each other, leading to the realization of the higher Self. According to Ellen Grace O’Brian, prosperity is fulfilling our potential to make contributions beyond ourselves as individuals, to go beyond the confines of “I, me, and mine”.
Empathy allows us to connect with one another in a way where our differences no longer matter. Once our empathy is awakened, we can determine what actions we are compelled to take. The empathy we have can be harnessed through the practices shared in Jewel of Abundance to aid us in using our prosperity to reach our full potential and ultimately for the greater good.
If this isn’t a compelling reason to pick up your own copy of Jewel of Abundance, I don’t know what is! I really can’t speak about this book highly enough. Whether you're a beginner or a master, each page carries wisdom and will resonate on a deep soul level.
Empathy allows us to connect with one another in a way where our differences no longer matter. Once our empathy is awakened, we can determine what actions we are compelled to take. The empathy we have can be harnessed through the practices shared in Jewel of Abundance to aid us in using our prosperity to reach our full potential and ultimately for the greater good.
If this isn’t a compelling reason to pick up your own copy of Jewel of Abundance, I don’t know what is! I really can’t speak about this book highly enough. Whether you're a beginner or a master, each page carries wisdom and will resonate on a deep soul level.
June 5, 2021
Divinely inspired. So dense with practical teachings I could only read a few pages at a time.
Read
September 26, 2022Most useful and beautiful book I believe I've read. This is a road map to supreme happiness. So glad I read it with a group of Yogi's and my beloved Julianne Rice.
December 26, 2019
There's elements of this that feel like"Prosperity Gospel" ruin through a Vedanta filter. I'm also a long time yoga practitioner already, so much was also too introductory. However, the last third of the book felt like some useful yoga that I'm sitting with.
June 25, 2023
This is a beautifully written, relevant book covering the science/philosophy of yoga. Interspersed with quotes from master teachers, the author shows how applicable/beneficial yoga is to our current society.
Being impressed with the quality of writing I googled the author and have since enrolled in her Dharma 365 on line 12month course. Highly recommend both the book and the course!
Being impressed with the quality of writing I googled the author and have since enrolled in her Dharma 365 on line 12month course. Highly recommend both the book and the course!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews