A Joyful Practice

A Quick Note & 2 Excerpts About Freedom & Voting (a Monday post-practice post) July 2, 2024

Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone cultivating peace, freedom, and wisdom (inside and outside).

This is a post-practice post related to the practice on Monday, July 1^st. The 2024 prompt question was, “What’s on your mind?” 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.

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.

Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes.

Yoga Sutra 2.18: prakāśakriyāsthitiśīlaṃ bhūtendriyātmakaṃ bhogāpavargārthaṃ dṛśyam

— “The object of experience is composed of the three gunas—the principles of illumination (sattva), activity (rajas) and inertia (tamas). From these, the whole universe has evolved together with the instruments of knowledge—such as the mind, senses, etc.—and the objects perceived—such as the physical elements. The universe exists in order that the experiencer may experience it, and thus become liberated.”

“The last sentence of this aphorism is one of the most important in the entire book.”

— translation and commentary quoted from How To Know God: The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali translated and with commentary by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood

According to Yoga Sutra 2.18, everything in the known world has two purposes: fulfillment and freedom. Sometimes, the translation is related to liberation and/or enlightenment. It all goes hand-in-hand, which means that what’s on your mind can bring you closer to freedom, liberation, independence. Especially when you put your thoughts into action. That is as true today and it was true in July 1776 and 1839.

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLES BELOW FOR MORE.

FTWMI: Because Every Vote Counted (Part 1)

A Rest for Those Riding, Fighting, and Working for Freedom – An Invitation

“Brothers, we have done that which we purposed, our hands are now clean for we have Striven to regain the precious heritage we received from our fathers.”

— Sengbe Pieh (also known as Joseph Cinqué or Joseph Cinquez) as quoted on the lithograph by Isaac Sheffield, commissioned by The New York Sun (published on August 31, 1839, erroneously credited to “James Sheffield”)

There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices.

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).

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