First Friday Night Special #61 — Invitation for “… and Breathe Peace In & Breathe Peace Out….” (the “missing” invitation w/excerpts) November 7, 2025

Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone gathering friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, and wisdom.

May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong!

This (backdated) “missing” invitation for the “First Friday Night Special” on November 7^th, includes some related excerpts. You can request an audio recording of this Restorative Yoga practice (with a little SYE) 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.

“SECTION I

CONTAINING THE PRELIMINARY ARTICLES FOR PERPETUAL PEACE AMONG STATES

1. ‘No Treaty of Peace Shall Be Held Valid in Which There Is Tacitly Reserved Matter for a Future War’

Otherwise a treaty would be only a truce, a suspension of hostilities but not peace, which means the end of all hostilities–so much so that even to attach the word ‘perpetual’ to it is a dubious pleonasm.”

— quoted from the 1795 essay “Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch” by Immanuel Kant

Signed today (November 7th) in 1659, on the Isle of Pheasants, the “Peace of the Pyrenees” was a peace treaty that ended 24 years of warfare between France and Spain. The warfare was part of the 30 Years War, which started as a religious conflict between Catholic and Protestants. The treaty required the personal compromise and sacrifice of some country leaders and some members of the general populace. The treaty did not, however, fit Immanuel Kant’s definition of a true treaty; because, at its very foundation we find the seeds for more conflict and hostility.

The Yoga Sūtras outline several ways to uproot the seeds (and roots) of conflict, hostility, and suffering. Those methods include the practice of “codes of self-regulation or restraint (yamas) and observances or practices of self-training (niyamas)”. In Yoga Sūtra 2.33, Patanjali acknowledged that we may not always be able to practice the ethical components perfectly (or at all). In such situations, we are instructed to “cultivate the opposite [thought or action]” — a practice which we also find in Buddhism. The key to this type of practice is to build on a foundation of peace and infuse every thought, word, and deed with peace.

In other words, “To Have Peace In The World / True Peace / We Must Work for Peace in the World / and Breathe Peace In & Breathe Peace Out….”

“However, if the process of non-violence is to be effective in counteracting violence, we must first describe and outline it clearly and methodically. Because violent thoughts always precede a violent act, an act of non-violence will be effective only if it is preceded by non-violent thoughts. Violence is an active phenomenon, whereas non-violence is mistakenly thought to be passive – simply the absence of violence. But passive non-violence has no power to extinguish the fire if violence. Non-violence must be as active as violence itself.”

— commentary on Yoga Sūtra 2.33, from The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.

To Have Peace In the World…

“In the conventional practice of non-violence we are not led to entertain a stream of structured, organized non-violent thoughts. For example, when someone slaps us on the right cheek, we are told to offer the left one also—this is said to be practicing non-violence. But this approach to non-violence does not free us from pain, nor does it purify our mind. According to Vyasa, we must design a system of practice that neutralizes the force of violence, step-by-step and point-by-point.”

— quoted from the commentary on Yoga Sūtra 2.33, from The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

This Restorative Yoga practice is accessible and open to all. 

(NOTE: There will be a little bit of quiet space in this practice.)

Friday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Movember / November Friday 2025”]

NOTE: Start with Track 1; Track 10; Track 11; Track 12; or Track 13 on either platform or Track 14 on the YouTube version.

Prop wise, we will start with a chair, sofa, or coffee table and this is a kitchen sink practice. You can practice without props or you  can use “studio” and/or “householder” props. Example of “Studio” props: 1 – 2 blankets, 2 – 3 blocks, a bolster, a strap, and an eye pillow. Example of “Householder” props: 1 – 2 blankets or bath towels, 2 – 3 books (similar in size), 2 standard pillows (or 1 body pillow), a belt/tie/sash, and a face towel.

You may want extra layers (as your body may cool down during this practice). Having a wall, chair, sofa, or coffee table will also be handy.

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).

### OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTIHI OM ###