A Joyful Practice

A Quick Note, Video, & Excerpts RE: PRIDE Beginning & Continuing June 28, 2026

Happy Pride! Many blessings to everyone!!

“I remember when I went to my first Pride, which was in Manchester, and I cried my eyes out. I cried because I saw people cheering for people who they didn’t know, people accepting people who they knew nothing about, you know, LGBT people from all different walks of life, people who look just like you, people who don’t look anything like you. And I all I could think about was if I’d have seen something like this when I was 12 years old, 15 years old, my life would have been completely different.

To know that that was not only okay and acceptable, but you know that people loved people for being gay, for being themselves, for being whatever they are. That was really special to me.

And I spent so much of my life living in shame, feeling ashamed of who I was, feeling guilt, internalized homophobia, all that kind of stuff. And so to see people embracing that pride is the antidote to shame. It’s the opposite, right? To to say this is who I am, this is what I’m about and this is who I love, I think is a is a wonderful thing.”

— quoted from the video “What does Pride mean to you?” by Keegan Hirst

Keegan Hirst is a retired professional rugby player, father of two young adults, podcaster, and founder of Gay Man’s Coaching. He was recently diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, but recovered enough to train and run in a marathon. In 2015, when he was in his late 20s, he became the first British rugby to come out while still playing professionally.

Take a moment to consider what it would be like to simultaneously be an elite athlete, in peak performance  — known for playing a game associated with the epitome of masculinity — and discovering you had been playing with what could be a life ending condition.

What? You thought I was going to say something about his sexuality? Sure, that’s part of Keegan’s story too. But, he explains why that’s important better than I do.

Click on the excerpt titles below for the history of Pride and why it’s still important.

FTWMI (2): In the beginning…

Stonewall Was Not Televised (a “missing” post)

“This is about empowerment. This is about all of us coming together and empowering anybody that’s under the sound of my voice, talking about this. This is about empowerment to each and everyone of you. Ok? That’s the energy I want in this moment. We’re doing this together. I’m teaching you and then we’re teaching ‘the children.’ Ok? We’re all ‘the children.’ Ok? Right. So, it’s about hope. It’s hopeful. And I know there’s not a lot to be hopeful about; so we’re counteracting that on purpose. Ok? That’s what this is about.”

— quoted from the official video for the song “Children” by Billy Porter

Please join me today (Sunday, June 28^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 me at myra             (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.

Today’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “06302024 PRIDE, redux”]

NOTE: The Spotify playlist includes an extra interlude track (since the message above is not part of the studio recording). The YouTube playlist includes additional videos, including the one below.

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 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.

### LOVE IS LOVE ###