A Joyful Practice

Another Quick Note & EXCERPT: “A Quick Note & Excerpts About Using the Hook…” (the post-practice Monday post) July 20, 2026

Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone putting together the pieces for peace,  freedom, and wisdom (inside and outside).

This is the post-practice post for Monday, July 20^th. The 2026 prompt question was, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you deal with the unexpected?” You can request an audio recording of these practices or a previous practice 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.

“Don’t rush me, just this once
I wanna make this moment last
Slow down the pace, there’s no hurry
I can’t let another pass me by again
Let me be the one to say when I’ve had enough

Just let me close my eyes, memorize
The way things are this minute”

— quoted from the song “Hold On” by Santana (written by Ian Thomas¹)

The practices over the last week have partially focused on the American Tibetan Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön’s teachings around the concept of shenpa and the practice of the four R’s. One of the underlying truths within these practices is that, when our buttons get pushed, when we get hot, we lose focus on this present moment. Or, more precisely, we lose focus of what is important in this present moment. And, so, the practices are ultimately about staying present, right here and right now.

But, here’s a curious thing: While the Tibetan word shenpa can be translated into English as “urge, impulse, charge, or attachment”, it was first introduced to me as “hook” — which made me think of music. A musical hook, in some ways, draws us into the present moment and, so, it can be a really convenient way to practice using the hook to get unhooked. Since we don’t typically use music during the Common Ground Meditation Center practices, today, I only made a passing reference to the “hooky” music of Carlos Santana, who was born today in 1947.

The music, however, has always been just one little piece of the July 20^th practices. Mostly, today’s practices (over the years) have been inspired by the first Special Olympics games (today in 1968) and the fact that we can get “hooked” when our expectations are not met (i.e., when things are not as we expect them to be based on our previous experiences).

“Rosemary was born September thirteenth at home—a normal delivery. She was a beautiful child, resembling my mother in physical appearance. But early in life Rosemary was different. She was slower to crawl, slower to walk and speak than her two bright brothers. My mother was told she would catch up later, but she never did.

— quoted from a September 22, 1962, article by Eunice Kennedy Shriver printed in The Saturday Evening Post

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.

FTWMI: A Quick Note & Excerpts About Using the Hook…

“Today
Is all I really need to find the answers

I’ll find the constant flow
Of all the harmony”

— quoted from the song “All the Love of the Universe” by Carlos Santana (b. 07/20/1947), written by Carlos Santana / Neal Schon

There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices. 

NOTE: In previous years, we have used a playlist available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “07202021 Using the Hook”] The YouTube playlist has an extra track in the before/after section.

“…you catch your breath, you look around…. and you begin to notice….”

— quoted from “Welcome to Holland” by Emily Perl Kingsley ©1987

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 need 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).

You’re Invited to Bend… & To Take The Deepest Breath You’ve Taken — On Retreat!

September 25 — 27, 2026

NOTE: ¹The song “Hold On” was written and originally recorded by Ian Thomas. For some reason, some of the online credits related to the Santana cover (on the The Essential Santana album) list “Ian Bland, Stephen Paul Thomas” as songwriters. I don’t believe these latter credits are accurate; but, I am including them here just in case.

### BIG, Big Hugs ###