A Joyful Practice

Riddles & Excerpts July 27, 2025

Many blessings to everyone and especially to the “sleepyheads” and anyone dreaming of and working for peace, freedom, and wisdom — especially when it gets hot (inside and outside).

Stay hydrated, y’all!

“Until today, we still read about the story of these young men. These young men weren’t prophets of Allah. They weren’t messengers of Allah. They didn’t receive revelation. No angels came to them with an army. These were a group of young men, simply by the strength of their [faith in the six articles of faith] and [God-consciousness] Allah [glorified and exalted be He] gave them an amazing miracle.”

— commentary on Sūrah Al-Kahf (19:9 – 26) quoted from “The People of the Cave”

Here’s a riddle that comes in the form of a series of questions:

1. What do some people (myself included) love to do in the wee hours of the morning, but not so much at night?
2. What do most Americans lack in good amounts?
3. What do humans need to survive (and, truthfully, to do anything)?

The answer(s): Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

Sleeping — or resting, in general — is connected to our parasympathetic nervous system and is an active part of how we digest anything we consume (including media). This is also connected to our ability to create; manage stress; and recover from illness, trauma, and/or overexertion. There are physiological changes that happen (in the body and the mind) that primarily happen while we sleep. Finally, when we sleep, we might dream — and, according to the Yoga Sūtras, there are benefits to focusing on our dreams.

Yet, sleeping (and being a “sleepyhead”) often get a bad rap — unless you are in Finland today (which is National Sleepy Head Day).

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLES BELOW FOR MORE.

Are You Sleeping, Again?

Are You Sleeping In?

Click here for a quick note about dreaming.

Yoga Sūtra 1.10: abhāvapratyayālambanā tamovrittirnidrā

— “[Deep or dreamless] Sleep is the mental activity based on the absence of other mental content.”

Yoga Sūtra 1.38: svapna nidrā jñānālambanaṁ

— “Or by meditating on the knowledge gained from dreams and sleep, one acquires stability of mind.”

Please join me for a 65-minute virtual yoga practice on Zoom today (Sunday, July 27^th) 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 available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “07272021 National Sleepy Head Day”]

Extreme heat can not only make people lethargic and unmotivated, it can also lead to extreme agitation and anxiety-based fear. We may find it hard to think, hard to feel (or process our feelings), and/or hard to control our impulses. If you are struggling in the US, help is available just by dialing 988.

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 an 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.

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

### ARE YOU SLEEPING (ENOUGH)? ###