EXCERPT: “What We Need to Live Well” January 17, 2024
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Changing Perspectives, Depression, Faith, First Nations, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Kumbh Mela, Life, Loss, Music, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Religion, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: 988, Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King Day, mental health, Peter Collinson, Sebastian Junger
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May all beings everywhere feel a sense of belonging! Warm wishes for peace and righteousness to everyone celebrating Kumbh Mela!!
“Though they have few but natural wants and those easily supplied. But with us are infinite Artificial wants, no less craving than those of Nature, and much more difficult to satisfy….”
— quoted from the “Hardwicke Papers” copy of a letter addressed to Peter Collinson dated “Philadelphia May 9th, 1753” and signed “B: Franklin”
The following excerpt is from a 2021 post:
“[Benajamin Franklin] was once critical of himself because, as he wrote, his experiments were ‘able to produce nothing in this way of use to Mankind.’ Yet, he stayed curious, kept trying new things and eventually invented many things that made life easier for people; including the lightening rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove. While these things all served a purpose and made life easier, maybe even more efficient, they didn’t (in and of themselves) help others live well — when living well is related to purpose and, therefore, related to others.
Ultimately, once we establish the meaning of the living well, the real question we must ask ourselves is. ‘What do we need to live well?’ Whenever we’re addressing life ‘needs,’ I find that we sneak a whole lot of ‘wants’ and desire into the mix. These are what Benjamin Franklin would classify as ‘Artificial’ and that would fall into the category of ‘extrinsic’ values, according to the definition Sebastian Junger uses in his book Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, which is a discussion on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
Click here for more about the work and insights of Benjamin Franklin (born today in 1706, according to the Gregorian calendar) and Sebastian Junger (born today in 1962).
Click here for similar insights discussed (in 2022) when today was Martin Luther King Day.
“The findings are in keeping with something called self-determination theory, which holds that human beings need three basic things in order to be content: they need to feel competent at what they do; they need to feel authentic in their lives; and they need to feel connected to others. These values are considered “intrinsic” to human happiness and far outweigh “extrinsic” values such as beauty, money and status.”
— quoted from Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger
Please join me today (Wednesday, January 17th) 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 “01172021 Franklin Junger”]
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.)
A Joyful Practice 