EXCERPT: “Updated & Revised! Purpose Driven” December 30, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Japa, Japa-Ajapa, Life, Loss, Music, One Hoop, Pain, Religion, Suffering, Twin Cities, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: 12 Days of Christmas, Age of Enlightenment, Age of Reason, catechism, David Brooks, Kwanzaa, New Year's, Nguzo Saba, Nia, Sita (Joan Weiner) Bordow, Surya Namaskar, Swami Satchidananda, Twelvetide
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“Kwanzaa, yenu iwe na heri!” — “May your Kwanzaa be happy!” to everyone who is celebrating! Peace and many blessings to everyone, everywhere!
“You can perform japa, repetition of a mantra or Sacred Word, in the midst of your day-to-day work. Then, when it becomes a habit, even when you are working intensely a portion of the mind will keep repeating the mantra always. That means you have locked one end of your chain to a holy place, while the rest of the chain remains still in the outside world.”
— a note written by Swami Satchidananda, quoted in Sri Swami Satchidananda: Apostle of Peace by Sita (Joan Weiner) Bordow
The following excerpt is from a post related to the fifth day of Kwanzaa and Twelvetide, as well as to why we do what we do on New Year’s Day:
“Feast / Holy Days are celebrations of sacred mysteries and significant events. Note that even when the focus is tied to a specific person (martyr or saint, including Jesus and the Virgin Mary), there is a connection to miracles, which are beyond science — in other words, more mystery). In addition to serving the purpose of commemoration / remembrance, feast days stimulate excitement around spirituality and help people embody the stories and history of their faith. In Christianity, particularly in the Catholic tradition, the order of the feast / holy days (throughout the year) is its own ritual storytelling. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church has a history of calendar reforms that have served the purpose of reinforcing the liturgical aspects of their rituals, thereby bringing faith into the foreground of people’s lives. Keep in mind, however, that this tradition did not start with the Christianity. The Hebrew Bible is full of commands from God about what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.”
Click here to read the entire post.
“The philosopher Abraham Kaplan calculated that over 60 percent of Judaism’s 613 commandments involve physical ritual: lighting candles, ritual baths, etc. These deeds are a kind of language, a way of expressing things that are too deep for words.”
— quoted from a New York Times letter to the editor entitled, “There Should Be More Rituals” by David Brooks (dated April 22, 2019)
No classes today, but if you are on the Saturday and/or Sunday class email list, you will receive a recorded practice.
CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR! You can kick off New Year’s Day 2024 in two ways (and in two spaces): with the very active practice of 108 Sun Salutations at 10:00 AM or with the very “chill” practice of a Yin+Meditation practice beginning at 5:00 PM. All times are Central Standard. Register to practice in-person (or join us via Zoom). Details are posted on the “Class Schedules” calendar.
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### Have Purpose, Will Travel! ###
EXCERPT: “Celebrating What Supports the Practice” December 27, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Art, Bhakti, Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Christmas, Dharma, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, Love, Music, Mysticism, One Hoop, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Taoism, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: 12 Days of Christmas, Charles Darwin, Kujichagulia, Kwanzaa, Nguzo Saba, Saint John the Apostle, Saint Stephen, Sammy Davis Jr., social science
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“Kwanzaa, yenu iwe na heri!” — “May your Kwanzaa be happy!” to everyone who is celebrating! May you have a good observation if your focus is the Feast Day of Saint Stephen or Saint John.
“nguzo (Swahili)
Noun
nguzo
-
prop, pillar (an object placed against or under another, to support it)
-
column, supporting pole
-
pillar (an essential supporting part of something)
-
(figuratively) a support or comfort”
— definition from WordSense.eu (and English dictionary based on Wiktionary)
The following excerpt is the beginning of a post about the second day of Kwanzaa, the Feast Day of Saint John, and the Twelve Days of Christmas:
“During Kwanzaa, people contemplate the meaning and practical applications of seven guiding principles. The Swahili word nguzo carries with it an underlying meaning (pun intended) that emphasizes the importance of an object as structural support — in other words, something described as ‘nguzo’ is essential to the very existence of the structure… or, in this case the community.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are not unique to any one culture and that is kind of the point. Because enslaved people brought from Africa to the Americas were from different cultures, the holiday was created to be a reflection of a variety of cultures. That reflection is present not only in the social construct of the principles, but also in the spiritual and religious overtones which were heavily influenced by rituals and traditions practiced during other winter holidays: like the emphasis on lighting candles.
Of course, just as Kwanzaa owes its development to other traditions, other traditions have historically borrowed from each other. People constantly talk about ‘family values’ and/or ‘Christian values’ and yet, those so-called Christian values come directly from Judaism. Additionally, when we look at the Five Pillars of Islam and the Six Articles of Faith (also in Islam) we find there’s a whole lot of overlap with Judaism and Christianity — which is not surprising given their historical and theological roots. You find similar overlap between Yoga and Buddhism, as well as between Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, and all of the above. Sometimes (as with the three Abrahamic religions) the overlap is the direct result of history, geography, and migration. In some cases, like with Yoga and Buddhism, the overlap is intentional. Then there is spontaneous invention (also called multiple discovery).
When applied to social science, spontaneous invention is when two or more societies develop similar infrastructures and social mores without directly influencing one another. Can this happen (and how does this happen) without direct exchange and interaction? Cultural selection theory, an extension of memetics (the study of information and culture based on an analogy with Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution) says yes; basically, because we are all human. As we all face the same challenges, we all develop similar tools in order to guarantee survival.”
Click here to continue reading….
“I gotta be me, I’ve gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am
I want to live, not merely survive
And I won’t give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I gotta be me, I gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am”
— quoted from the song “I Gotta Be Me” by Sammy Davis, Jr.
Please join me today (Wednesday, December 27th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12272020 Will, Determination, & John”]
CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR! You can kick off New Year’s Day 2024 in two ways (and in two spaces): with the very active practice of 108 Sun Salutations at 10:00 AM or with the very “chill” practice of a Yin+Meditation practice beginning at 5:00 PM. All times are Central Standard. Register to practice in-person (or join us via Zoom). Details are posted on the “Class Schedules” calendar.
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### You Are Supported! ###
EXCERPT: “How We All Come Together, Even When We’re Apart” December 26, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Bhakti, Changing Perspectives, Christmas, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, Love, Meditation, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Religion, Yoga.Tags: 12 Days of Christmas, Black Eyed Peas, Boxing Day, Christmas, Feast Day of Saint Stephen, Kwanzaa, rituals, Saint Stephen, traditions, Twelvetide
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“Happy Boxing Day!” Happy St. Stephen’s Day and “Kwanzaa, yenu iwe na heri!” — “May your Kwanzaa be happy!” to everyone who is celebrating!
“But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate, then you’re bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y’all, y’all”
— quoted from the song “Where Is the Love?” by the Black Eyed Peas
Here’s an excerpt from my philosophically-focused post about different rituals and traditions people are celebrating today:
“In truth, however, all holidays are ‘made up’ and many have slightly sketchy backgrounds. But we don’t necessarily think about those sketchy back-stories or dubious beginnings when something is part of our tradition. Instead, we cling to what we know and if any part of our tradition or ritual becomes problematic, we move it to the background and cling to the spirit. (Hence the reason people no longer ‘bleed’ their cattle or neighbors for Saint Stephen’s Day.) Over time, though, our rituals and traditions can become a little like balancing with a stubbed toe — our focus is determined by what you were taught and what you value.”
Click here to read the entire post.
Please join me today (Tuesday, December 26th) at 12:00 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Tuesday playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [“Look for “12262020 Boxing St Stephen’s Kwanzaa”]
CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR! You can kick off New Year’s Day 2024 in two ways (and in two spaces): with the very active practice of 108 Sun Salutations at 10:00 AM or with the very “chill” practice of a Yin+Meditation practice beginning at 5:00 PM. All times are Central Standard. Register to practice in-person (or join us via Zoom). Details are posted on the “Class Schedules” calendar.
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### UMOJA / YOGA ###
Here We Are Again / All Together Now (mostly the music & felicitations) December 24, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Changing Perspectives, Christmas, Faith, Football, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, Music, One Hoop, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: Christmas, Christmas 1914, Christmas Truce, Garth Brooks, Joe Henry, Johann Pachelbel, peace, Peter Hooton, Steve Grimes, The Farm
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Peace and good will!” to all. “Happy Holidays!” and “Merry Christmas!” to all who are celebrating.
“The boys had their say, they said no (all together now)
Stop the slaughter, let’s go home
Let’s go, let’s go (all together now)
Let’s go (all together now), let’s go home
All together now (together, together)
In no man’s land (together, together)”
— quoted from the song “All Together Now” by The Farm
Please join me for a 65-minute virtual yoga practice on Zoom today (Sunday, December 24th) at 2:30 PM. Use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Sunday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify.
“But for just one fleeting moment
The answer seemed so clear
Heaven’s not beyond the clouds
It’s just beyond the fear
No, heaven’s not beyond the clouds
It’s for us to find it here”
— quoted from the song “Belleau Wood” by Garth Brooks
CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR! You can kick off New Year’s Day 2024 in two ways (and in two spaces): with the very active practice of 108 Sun Salutations at 10:00 AM or with the very “chill” practice of a Yin+Meditation practice beginning at 5:00 PM. All times are Central Standard. Register to practice in-person (or join us via Zoom). Details are posted on the “Class Schedules” calendar.
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### MORE PEACE, PLEASE ###
FTWMI: “A Christmas Prelude” December 23, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Bhakti, Christmas, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Music, One Hoop, Peace, Poetry, Religion, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 4Him, Carola, Christmas carols, Healing Stories, story, yoga
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Peace and good will!” to all. “Happy Holidays!” and “Merry Christmas!” to all who are celebrating.
For Those Who Missed It: The following was originally posted on December 23, 2020 and reposted in 2021. Dates have been adjusted accordingly.
“Why me, I’m just a simple man of trade
Why Him with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she’s just an ordinary girl
Now I’m not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the
World”
— quoted from the song “What a Strange Way to Save the World” by 4Him
Almost everyone has a favorite Christmas carol — even if they don’t celebrate Christmas! And the carols not only tell the story of Christmas, they are a great way to tell the story. For a little over a decade, I have used a variation of today’s playlist to do just that: tell the story of Christmas. Sometimes, Christmastide overlaps Chanukah and the playlist expands accordingly. It’s not that hard, really. After all, they are both celebrations of light that focus us on the 25th.
This year’s variation, as it appears on YouTube and Spotify, is a little different. There’s no Garth, but my favorite Garth “carol” does appear in a surprisingly endearing format — and delivered by someone dearly loved. Both formats include an a cappella version of “The Little Drummer Boy” (which holds a special place in my heart), but they are different versions. Another variation on a theme: the two different versions of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” The one on YouTube includes an introduction to a live performance by a choir in London (and concludes with a prayer). The one on Spotify is the one people usually hear in my classes just before we start the practice.
Which brings me to another change: the beginning of the playlist. Just as so many set the tone this time of year by playing holiday music, I usually have two or three tracks at the beginning of the playlist that are not actually intended for the practice. They are simply to establish a feeling of reverence and celebration consistent with the time. The version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” (by Carola) that I typically use is amazing and makes every space feel a little like a cathedral. But, since there is no way to really time things out the way I normally would, you can enjoy the music after the practice.
“Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum
Then he smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum”
— quoted from the song “The Little Drummer Boy”
Please join me today (Saturday, December 23rd) at 12:00 PM, for a 90-minute yoga practice on Zoom. Use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12232020 A Christmas Prelude”]
CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR! I am teaching tomorrow AND you can kick off New Year’s Day 2024 in two ways (and in two spaces): with the very active practice of 108 Sun Salutations at 10:00 AM or with the very “chill” practice of a Yin+Meditation practice beginning at 5:00 PM. All times are Central Standard. Register to practice in-person (or join us via Zoom). Details are posted on the “Class Schedules” calendar.
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### “AND HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, NOW” ###
2 Short EXCERPTS: “Living ‘A (SAD) Wonderful Life’” December 20, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Changing Perspectives, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, Love, Movies, Music, One Hoop, Pain, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: Charles Dickens, Clarence Odbody, Frank Capra, George Bailey, It's A Wonderful Life, mental health, Philip Van Doren Stern, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder
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Peace and blessings to all, and especially those celebrating Advent.
“Every time you hear a bell ring, it means that some angel’s just got his wings.”
— Clarence Odbody (AS2), quoted from It’s A Wonderful Life
Here are a couple of excerpts about a holiday favorite:
Even people who don’t celebrate Christmas, as a religious holiday or otherwise, may have a favorite Christmas story or carol. These stories — which become such perennial favorites they are often turned into plays, ballets, musicals, and all manners of pageants — are full of not only the trappings and traditions of Christmas, but also the spirit. You may think the spirit of which I speak is the hope, the cheer, and the good tidings; but, one consistent element in these stories is grief, desolation, isolation, sadness — and yes, also SAD-ness.
The Greatest Gift was self-published by its author, Philip Van Doren Stern, in 1943 – exactly 100 years after Charles Dickens first published A Christmas Carol. In fact, Stern (who was half Jewish) was partially inspired by the Dickens-classic. Although the story takes place at Christmastime and was initially sent out as Stern’s 1943 Christmas cards, the author intend the story to be universal. The following year the story was picked up by a two different magazines (including Good Housekeeping, which called it ‘The Man Who Was Never Born’) and a movie production company. By 1945, the original movie rights for The Greatest Gift had been sold to director and producer Frank Capra, who would change the title and tweak some of the details.”
Click here for more about Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life, which premiered today in 1946.
“[Remember,] real life is different from a novella by Dickens, a short story by Stern, or a movie by Capra; in part because there’s not a writer or director making sure the intervention happens. Also, not everything gets tied up at the end. However, if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms associated with SAD, it is important to take two big lessons from these fictional works: 1. You are not alone. 2. You can get help.”
“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. And when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
— Clarence Odbody (AS2), quoted from It’s A Wonderful Life
Please join me today (Wednesday, December 20th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12202020 A SAD Wonderful Life”]
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is a new app, which I have not yet researched, but which may be helpful if you need peer-to-peer (non-professional) support.
If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, you can also click here to contact the TrevorLifeline (which is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors).
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### Breathe. Know that you are loved. ###
EXCERPT: “‘Bah Humbug!’ & Other SAD Sayings” December 19, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Art, Books, Changing Perspectives, Depression, Faith, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Life, Music, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Religion, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: A Christmas Carol, Advent, Charles Dickens, holidays, mental health, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder
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Peace and blessings to all, and especially those celebrating Advent.
“‘But you were always a good man of business, Jacob’ faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself. ‘Business!’ cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. ‘Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!’”
— quoted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol, the novella by Charles Dickens was first published today in 1843. Here’s an excerpt from my post about how Scrooge might have had Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of clinical depression that affects over 3 million people in the United States each year:
“Some people view A Christmas Carol as a secular holiday tale; others see it as Christian allegory. I see both sides of that coin, but also consider that there is a mental health message within the text. Even if Scrooge is a ‘scrooge,’ he also exhibits all the characteristics of someone who is unhappy because his mind-body is out of balance. (When you think about it, it’s not surprising given how much he works, and how little work-life balance Dickens gives him!) All that said, anyone of us can be scrooge. So, it’s important to note that there is a lot we can do to help our mind-bodies find balance. It is equally important to know when we need some external intercession. SAD treatment can include light therapy, talk therapy, changes in diet and exercise, antidepressants, and/or a combination of the above.”
Click here to read the entire post, which includes symptoms, treatments, and a little bit of Yoga Philosophy.
“He went to the church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and for, and patted the children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of homes, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed of any walk, that anything, could give him so much happiness.”
— quoted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Please join me today (Tuesday, December 19th) at 12:00 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Tuesday playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12192020 SAD Carol”]
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is a new app, which I have not yet researched, but which may be helpful if you need peer-to-peer (non-professional) support.
If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, you can also click here to contact the TrevorLifeline (which is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors).
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### Breathe. You’ve Got This. ###
Yet Another One On Words (just the music & felicitations) December 17, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Music, One Hoop.add a comment
Many blessings to all, especially those observing Advent.
Please join me for a 65-minute virtual yoga practice on Zoom today (Sunday, December 17th) at 2:30 PM. Use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Sunday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “07112020 An Introduction”]
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### 
###
Sweet Stories (mostly the music) December 16, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Music, One Hoop.add a comment
Many blessings to all, especially those observing Advent.
“‘I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.’”
— Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (b. 12/16/1775)
Please join me today (Saturday, December 16th) at 12:00 PM, for a 90-minute yoga practice on Zoom. Use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Saturday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify.
“In my life I have found two things of priceless worth – learning and loving. Nothing else – not fame, not power, not achievement for its own sake – can possible have the same lasting value. For when your life is over, if you can say ‘I have learned’ and ‘I have loved,’ you will also be able to say ‘I have been happy.”
— quoted from Rama II: The Sequel to Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke (b. 12/16/1917) and Gentry Lee
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
### COVER ANYTHING IN CHOCOLATE, RESPONSIBLY & SUSTAINABLE ###
More Light Work (just the felicitations and music) December 13, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Chanukah, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Music, One Hoop, Religion.Tags: Advent, Chanukah, Feast Day of Saint Lucia, Saint Lucy's Day
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Many blessings to all and especially those observing Chanukah and the Feast Day of Saint Lucia and/or Advent.
Please join me today (Wednesday, December 13th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednsday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Chanukah (Day 6-7) & Saint Lucy’s Day 2023”]
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)
Errata: This was originally posted with the wrong day listed.
A Joyful Practice 