A Joyful Practice

FTWMI: A Quick Note & EXCERPT: “Big Gold 2” August 17, 2025

Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone observing the Dormition (Theotokos) Fast, and/or communicating friendship, peace, freedom, and wisdom — especially when it gets hot (inside and outside).

Stay hydrated & be kind, y’all!

For Those Who Missed It: The following was originally posted in 2024.

“16. Hence whatever is obtainable by anyone at any time, is often missed and lost sight of by either his ignorance or negligence of it; as the precious gem in the parable, which was proffered and lay palpable in full view.”

— quoted from (Book 6) “CHAPTER LXXXVIII. The Tale of the crystal Gem. (Argument:—The slipping of a precious stone in ignorance, and picking of a glossy glass in view of it.)” in The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki (translated by Vihari-Lala Mitra)

Every day, we make decisions based on decisions and experiences from previous days. Sometimes we don’t even think about whether or not we could have made a decision other than the one we made. Other times we weigh the pros and cons of several options — without really considering what may be outside of our a “space of possibility.”

Of course, what is outside of our purview is outside of our control. So, we make the decisions we know we can make and then we can make “gold” from that. For instance, today in 1896, a family staked four claims that would kick off the Klondike Gold Rush. The discovery claims, however, were not staked in the name of the person who found the gold. Instead, they were staked in the name of the only member of the family whose stake (the family believed) would not be challenged for racist (or, possibly racist and misogynistic) reasons.

Click on the excerpt title below to discover how Keish/Skookum Jim (also known as Jim Mason) created a little bit of alchemy for his descendants and what happened to his sister Kate Carmack, their nephew Dawson Charlie, and Kate’s husband George Washington Carmack after they found gold.

Big Gold 2 (the “missing” Wednesday post)

Please join me today (Sunday, August 17^th) at 2:30 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.

Sunday’s playlist available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “08172021 A Little More Alchemy”]

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.

CORRECTION: During the 2024 practice, I misspoke and said “Lower 48.” Since there were not 48 states until 1912, I should have said “Lower 45” or “contiguous United States.”

### “You Look Like Gold To Me” ~ Ben Harper ###