Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Hope, Minneapolis, Minnesota, One Hoop, Philosophy, Suffering, Tragedy, Twin Cities, Yoga.
Tags: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Twin Cities
When I started Zoom for today’s practice, I was not aware that Alex Pretti had been murdered while attempting to assist another protester. Crushed, horrified, angry, and saddened in that moment, I also had people — in the Twin Cities — who had joined the practice in order to deal with what they were feeling. I can only hope (and trust) that this practice (and the following excerpt from the practice) was helpful.
If you are not ready for these words today, maybe you will be tomorrow.
There are no words to deal with some of the things that we’re facing right now.
There are no words.
But there can be action.
And that action starts in your own heart. Every time you inhale, Every time you exhale.
It may seem impossible to overcome certain obstacles.
To find the goodness when there’s so much evil and so much bad.
And yet, as I quote that Adidas ad all the time, the one that’s associated with Muhammad Ali, impossible is just a word. Impossible is a word specifically for people whose minds are too small, whose hearts are too small, to conceive of the possible.
I was talking about Stacey Flowers not too long ago, and one of the things that she talked about was how, for some people, it is so much easier to see obstacles than it is for possibilities.
Today, what I want you to do… as much as you’re able, is to go a little deeper into the possibilities within your own heart. Trust the possibilities within your own heart, which requires trusting yourself.
### Be Safe & Be Sage ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Art, Changing Perspectives, Healing Stories, Life, Meditation, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Science, Wisdom, Yoga.
Tags: 988, Improv, jazz, Keith Jarrett
Many blessings to everyone, everywhere. May everyone breathe deeply and receive the love you need (the way you need it)!
May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong!
“You always want to make it as good as it can be, but… But when you have problems that you can’t do anything about, one after another, you start forgetting what you’re actually doing, until it’s time. And that’s one of the secrets….”
— Keith Jarrett in a 2007 interview about his (01/24/1975) Köln Concert
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE!
[FTWMI] “Doing: Lessons in unexpected, ridiculously inconvenient, unplayable things” *link added*
Please join me for a virtual yoga practice on Zoom, today (Saturday, January 24th) at 12:00 PM. 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 me at myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Saturday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “0123-24/2022 Doing: Lessons in…”]
[NOTE: If it is accessible to you, please consider using the Spotify playlist (or this link with a Premium YouTube account) for the original music referenced in the practice. Even better, if you already have the album!
An authorized original recording is not available on YouTube (in the US) without a “Premium” membership and, after listening to several different “interpretations” — which do not / cannot include the vocalizations — I decided the Fausto Bongelli sounded the closest to the original. Sadly, one movement is missing and so I used a recording by Tomasz Trzcinkinski, who was the first person to record the music using the transcription. There are also now transcriptions for other instruments — which I didn’t sample, even though I think some of them would be lovely. There are also “covers” using electronic instruments, which I’m considering a hard pass (even if it seems contradictory to the theme), out of respect for the composer. ]
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.
### TRUST YOUR PLAY! ###
A Joyful Practice 