EXCERPT: “What the Gurus Teach Us & Heart Filled… [revised]” August 26, 2026
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Buddhism, Faith, Healing Stories, Life, Love, Meditation, Music, One Hoop, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: 988, Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, Chris Pine, Christopher Isherwood, Love, lovingkindness, Mother Teresa, Swami Prabhavananda, Yoga Sutra 1.33
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Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone observing the Dormition (Theotokos) Fast and the Apodosis of the Transfiguration; and/or working to cultivate friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, and wisdom — especially when it gets hot (inside and outside).
Hydrate and nourish your heart, body, and mind.
“… if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
— quoted from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University’s Architects of Peace essay, “Reflections on Working Towards Peace” by Mother Teresa
Click on the excerpt title below for a lesson taught by all the greatest teachers, including Mother Teresa (born Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, today in 1910) and Christopher Isherwood (born today in 1904).
FTWMI (x2): What the Gurus Teach Us & Heart Filled… [revised]
“Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating feelings of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked [ or non-virtuous].”
— quoted from How to Know God: The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali (1.33), translated and with commentary by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood
Please join me today (Wednesday, August 26th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 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 by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednesday’s “heart-filled” playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “08262020 Heart Filled for Teresa & 2 Christophers”]
(The second “Christopher” is Chris Pine, born today in 1980, so I have also previously offered last week’s (Courage filled) playlist, which is also available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “08192020 To Boldly Go with Courage”])
It’s hard to be loving or kind — to yourself or another — when you’re uncomfortable. 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 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).
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.
You’re Invited to Bend… & To Take The Deepest Breath You’ve Taken — On Retreat!
September 25 — 27, 2026
A Joyful Practice 