Creativity, Light, & Freedom (the “missing” Wednesday post) February 12, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Art, Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Faith, Food, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Kumbh Mela, Life, Love, Men, Music, New Year, One Hoop, Pain, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Suffering, Tragedy, Vipassana, Wisdom, Women, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 988, Abraham Lincoln, Amrit Snan, Black History Month, Carnival, Charles Darwin, Contemplation, Creativity, Da Shuhua, dǎshùhuā, Diana Galloway, discernment, Dongfang Shuo, Dragon Boat Festival, emotions, First Officer Stephanie Grant, Frances Mayes, Fugitive Slave Act, Jade Emperor, Jan Swammerdam, Judy Blume, Lantern Festival, Lunar New Year, Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahā Kumbha Mēlā, riddles, Strait Times, tangyuan, Thích Nhất Hạnh, Thich Nhat Hanh, Tuskegee Airmen, Tuskegee Institute, Vipassanā, Wang De, Year of the Snake, Yuan Xiao
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Many blessings to everyone, and especially those celebrating Carnival, Maha Kumbh Mela, and the the Lantern Festival!
Peace, ease, and contemplation throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!!!
This “missing” post for Wednesday, February 12th (which was also the 15th and final day of the Spring Festival) is a compilation post. It includes some new material, some revised material, and excerpts. You can request an audio recording of this practice 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.
“Always old, sometimes new…”
— a riddle* (read post for clues, see the end for the answer)
Philosophically speaking, part of our yoga practice is about bring awareness to what we know — or what we think we know — about ourselves and the world around us. Once we do that, we have begun the process of recognizing how what we know or think we know determines our actions, our thoughts, our words, our deeds. Our beliefs influence the we interact with ourselves, with others, and with our environment. Once we really get into it, we also start to notice when — or if — we incorporate new information into our belief system; thereby adjusting our actions as we grow and mature.
At some point, we may start to notice how our experiences shape our beliefs and how our experiences and beliefs determine what we chose to do on any given day. Hopefully, we also recognize that other people make other choices based on the their beliefs and experiences. If we can see that, be open to the reality of that, and maybe dig a little deeper into that reality, we gain better understanding of ourselves (and maybe of the world). In other words, we gain insight.
Vipassanā is a Buddhist meditation technique that has also become a tradition. It literally means “to see in a special way” and can also be translated as “special, super seeing”. In English, however, it is usually translated as “insight”. This insight is achieved by sitting, breathing, and watching the mind-body without judging the mind-body. Part of the practice is even to recognize when you are judging and, therefore, recognizing when you are getting in your own way. This can be seen as a (non-religious) form of discernment — which also requires observation — all of it is part of our yoga practice.
Of course, there are times when what we are feeling and/or the way we are feeling makes it hard to see clearly. In fact, the stronger we feel something, the harder it may be to focus on what is important.
“Anger is a mental, psychological phenomenon, yet it is closely linked to biological and biochemical elements. Anger makes you tense your muscles, but when you know how to smile, you begin to relax and your anger will decrease. Smiling allows the energy of mindfulness to be born in you, helping you to embrace your anger.”
— quoted from “Two – Putting Out the Fire of Anger: Tools for Cooling the Flames” in Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames by Thich Nhat Hanh
Anger, fear, frustration, jealousy, worry, love, hate, anxiety, grief, and joy are some of the strong emotions that manifest in our bodies — e.g., in our expressions and gestures. Born February 12,1637, the Dutch biologist and microscopist Jan Swammerdam probably could have told us which muscles engage and which muscles relax when we smile versus when we frown. He studied muscle contractions; is recognized as the first person to observe and describe red blood cells; and also recognized as one of the first people (in Western science) to use a microscope in dissection.
Like Charles Darwin, who was February 12, 1809, Dr. Swammerdam had some controversial ideas about the origins of things — specifically about the origins of insects. Both men stirred up strong emotions in the peers and the populace, just like Abraham Lincoln (who was born on the exact same day as Charles Darwin — which also happens to be the anniversary of the day President George Washington signed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793).
February 12th is also the anniversary of two other notable moments in American history. First, it was the day (in 1930) when the executive committee of the Rosenwald Fund approved two grants (totaling $10,000) to the Alabama State Board of Health — which would be used to start a syphilis treatment pilot program in Macon County, at Tuskegee Institute. Later, in 2009, it was the day when then Captain Rachelle Jones Kerr, First Officer Stephanie Grant, and Flight Attendants Robin Rogers and Diana Galloway became the first all African American commercial flight crew. Their historic flights (on Atlantic Southeast Airlines flights #5202 and #5106, between Atlanta and Nashville) were not planned; they happened because someone called in sick. Still, the odds of everything falling into place as it did were pretty low considering there were less Black women licensed to fly then than there are now; and now, there are still less than 1%.
“When we got to the gate in Nashville, and all of the passengers were off, we asked the gate agent would she take our picture. So we stuffed ourselves in the galley and one by one, she took our cell phones and snapped our picture. She asked us, ‘Why do you want your pictures taken?’ Flight Attendant, Diana Galloway said, “Oh, it’s because we’re sisters!’ The gate agent’s response was priceless. She said, “Oh, your mother must be so proud!’”
— quoted from “12th Anniversary of the First All-Female African American Flight Crew” by First Officer Stephanie Grant, Director of Development for Sisters of the Skies, Inc.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLES BELOW FOR MORE.
Golden Tigers Made of Steel (a Black History footnote)
En L’Air (a special Black History 2.5-for-1 note)
“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.”
— quoted from Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume (b. 02/12/1938)
Since strong emotions also manifest in our words, they show up in the stories of our lives and the stories we tell about our lives — and these stories, in turn, can elicit strong emotions. For example, consider the stories Judy Blume, who was born February 12, 1938. She has written books that often get banned and that have also changed people’s lives — in the best possible way. She writes about topics people often find hard for to discuss, including: racism, gender, menstruation, divorce, bullying, masturbation, sex and sexuality, and emotions like anger, fear, and grief. To some people, the worst part is not only that she has tackled these issues in her books; it’s that most of her books are intended for children and young adults. And, let’s be honest, nothing pushes people’s buttons like someone talking about things they are uncomfortable discussing. While we can say that there are some things better left unsaid, there are also things that need to be said — just in a skillful manner and… while treating ourselves and others with lovingkindness.
Just as we can look to modern fiction and nonfiction for skillful/wise, and kind ways to navigate strong emotions, we can also look to ancient and sacred stories. In fact, strong emotions show up in all the stories I’ve shared over the last few weeks in relation Black History Month, Navaratri, Maha Kumbh Mela, and the Lunar New Year / Spring Festival. “Creativity”, the “Season for Nonviolence” principle for Wednesday, February 12th, also plays a part in the stories and the traditions related to the Lantern Festival, which is the culmination of the Spring Festival.
Click on the excerpt title below for the full post related to Jan Swammerdam, Charles Darwin, and Judy Blume (on a different Lunar New Year day).
Anger and the Importance of Having “Treats” Before You Speak (a post-practice Monday post)
LANTERN FESTIVAL (LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY 15, excerpt):
“We buy blood oranges and tiny green lentils from a jar, chestnuts, winter pears, winy little apples, and broccoli, which I’ve never seen in Italy before. ‘Lentils for the New Year,’ she tells us.”
— quoted from “Green Oil” in Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
As I mentioned over the last two weeks, some people celebrate the Lunar New Year for a handful of days and then go back to their regular routines. For some, however, there’s the Spring Festival: a 15-day celebration that culminates with the Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival takes place on the first full moon of the Lunar New Year (which was Wednesday night in 2025). One of the traditional customs turns the event into something similar to modern-day Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, women would write their contact information on oranges and then toss the oranges in the river where men would scoop them up. Then, the men would eat the oranges. A sweet orange meant the couple could potential have a good relationship, but a bitter orange meant the match was best avoided.
The oranges in the river make for a pretty sight, but that’s not the main focus of the Lantern Festival — nor is it the most spectacular. In fact, weather permitting, anyone observing areas celebrating the Lantern Festival would primarily notice cities, towns, and villages adorned in red lanterns and lit up… almost like everything is on fire.
There are several different legends associated with the Lantern Festival. In one story, the Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty wanted every person in every class to honor the Buddha as the monks would on the fifteenth day of the year. According to another story, Dongfang Shuo (a scholar and court jester) came upon a homesick maiden from the palace. To console her and lift her out of her despair, he told the young lady that he would reunite her with her family. Then he dressed up like a fortune teller and told everyone who came to his stall that they must beg the “red fairy” for mercy on the thirteenth day of the new year. If they didn’t ask for mercy, everything would burn down in a couple of days.
When the maiden, Yuan Xiao, appeared all dressed in red, people flocked to her. The only thing the surprised maiden could think to do was say that she would take a message to the emperor. Of course, Dongfang had already “tricked” the emperor and convinced him to tell Yuan Xiao to make her trademarked sweet-rice dumplings called tangyuan, because they were the favorite dessert of the God of Fire.
The whole town, and people from surrounding towns, came together to make the dumplings as a tribute to the God of Fire. As word spread, more people came — including Yuan Xiao’s family. And this is why Dongfang Shuo’s plan was so clever: In Chinese, the dumplings are 湯圓 or 汤圆 (pinyin: tāngyuán), which sounds like 團圓 or 团圆 (pinyin: tuányuán), which means “union”. While the round dumplings are enjoyed at a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, they are a staple during the Lantern Festival, which is actually 元宵節 or 元宵节 (pinyin: Yuánxiāo jié) — Yuan Xiao’s Festival.
“‘When you see it, it’ll affect you profoundly…’”
— Wang De quoted in the Feb. 19, 2019, The Strait Times article entitled “Blacksmiths keep alive the flame of China’s molten steel ‘fireworks’”
There are more variations on this theme, but the legend with which I am most familiar, and the one I share in the practice, is the story of the Jade Emperor and his favorite bird, a crane. This crane was beautiful and unlike any other bird or species. In some stories, the ruler of heaven and earth decided to treat people with a glimpse of the exotic bird. In other versions of the story, the crane got discombobulated and flew close to the earth. Either way, what happened next is why we can’t have nice things: Someone shot the exotic bird.
The Jade Emperor was furious and decided to send down fire breathing dragons to destroy the towns and villages. However, the Jade Emperor’s daughter warned the townsfolk and someone suggested that if they lit lanterns, started bonfires, and set off fireworks, the dragons — who are not very smart in these stories – would think everything was already on fire. The trick worked… on the dragons. The Jade Emperor was not tricked, but his anger had passed and he decided to offer a little compassion to the people on Earth.
To this day, people carry on the tradition of lighting up the skies. Traditionally, lanterns are made of paper, wooden, or jade. Some people will spend months designing and creating delicate lanterns that they will enter into competitions. Other people will make simple lanterns or purchase fancy store-bought lanterns. In addition to the plethora of basic red lanterns, there will also be animal-shaped lanterns — the most popular of which are in the shape of the animal of the year. Many of the lanterns will have riddles at the bottom — which adds to the fun, because if you know the answer to the riddle you can go find it’s owner and they will give you tangyuan (those sweet dumplings that sound like “union”) as a reward.
In addition to the lanterns, there are bonfires, fireworks, and a 300-plus years old tradition called Da Shuhua.
Da Shuhua is one of the English spellings for 打树花 (dǎshùhuā in pinyin), which is a 300-500 years old tradition handed down through families of blacksmiths in China´s northern Hebei province. It is sometimes referred to as the poor man’s fireworks, because it is produced from scrap metal that people in the remote village of Nuanquan give to the local blacksmiths. Dressed in straw hats, sheepskin jackets, and protective eyewear, the blacksmiths and their assistants melt down the scraps and then the blacksmiths throw the molten liquid up against a cold stone wall. When the liquid metal — which can reach up to 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit (1,600 degrees Celsius) — hits the cold wall, sparks fly.
The spectacular display looks like a blossoming tree and so the name of the art form translates into English as “beating tree flowers”. Although there are a few other places in China where this art form is showcased, it is traditional to Nuanquan. There is a square in the remote village (“Tree Flower Square”), which was specifically built to hold tourists who travel to the village to see the display. In addition to three days of performances at the end of the Spring Festival, the tradition is also performed during the Dragon Boat Festival. Also called Double Fifth Festival, this second event takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Lunar New Year (May 31st in 2025).
Although UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) designated Da Shuhua as a prime example of China and Hebei province’s intangible cultural heritage, the tradition may be dying out. In 2019, there were only four blacksmiths trained in the art form and the youngest was 50 years old. Wang De, one of the four, had trained his youngest son; however, like so many of the younger generations, his son moved to the big city and started working in a different industry. His concerns, and hopes, for his legacy are not unlike those of his ancestors.
“‘It’s extremely dangerous and it doesn’t make much money,’ said Wang, who also farms corn to supplement his blacksmith’s income.
[…] Still, Wang De is hopeful he will return to keep the flame alive.
‘When we no longer can pull this off, people can learn from him. I have this confidence that (Da Shuhua) will be passed on.’”
— quoted from the Feb. 19, 2019, The Strait Times article entitled “Blacksmiths keep alive the flame of China’s molten steel ‘fireworks’”
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Lantern Festival 2023”]
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 a new 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).
“But we can see the past, though we may not claim to have directed it; and seeing it, in this case, we feel more hopeful and confident for the future.
The world has never had a good definition of the word liberty, and the American people, just now, are much in want of one. We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men’s labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name—liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names—liberty and tyranny.
The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep’s throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as a liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty, especially as the sheep was a black one. Plainly the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of the word liberty; and precisely the same difference prevails to-day among us human creatures, even in the North, and all professing to love liberty. Hence we behold the processes by which thousands are daily passing from under the yoke of bondage, hailed by some as the advance of liberty, and bewailed by others as the destruction of all liberty.”
— from an address at a “Sanitary Fair” on April 18, 1864 in Baltimore, Maryland by President Abraham Lincoln (b. 02/12/1809)
*RIDDLE NOTE: The riddles at the bottom (or sometimes underneath) the lanterns, are literally called “riddles written on lanterns”, but are sometimes referred to as “tiger riddles”, because solving them (in Chinese) is akin to wrestling a tiger. They often have three parts: the riddle, a hint or suggestion (which is that the answer is in the post and in the practice), and the answer. In this case, I took a page from Dongfang Shuo’s book and only gave you part of an English riddle so that instead of having one definite answer, there are three possible answers. Highlight the space between the hashtags for the answers.
### The moon (which is the original answer), a bit of history you didn’t know, and a legend from a culture with which you are unfamiliar. A habit, was CS’s very clever suggestion in 2025! Let me know if you got the answer(s)! ###
Contemplations on Cleanliness (the post practice Monday post) February 10, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Books, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Fitness, Food, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Kumbh Mela, Life, Meditation, New Year, One Hoop, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Suffering, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: 1 Epistle General of Peter, 988, Ayurveda, Black History Month, Boris Pasternak, Carnival, Contemplation, David Bowie, Edith Clarke, Efrem Korngold L.A.c. O.M.D., God of War, Harriet Beinfield L.Ac., James West, Jerry Goldsmith, Jim Whittaker, John Wesley, kriya yoga, kriyā yoga, Lou Whittaker, Lunar New Year, Luo Guanzhong, Luther Standing Bear, Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahā Kumbha Mēlā, niyamās, Roberta Flack, saucha, Season for Nonviolence, self-study, Spring Festival, svādhyāya, Year of the Snake
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Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Carnival, Maha Kumbh Mela, and the Spring Festival.
Peace, ease, and contemplation throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!!!
This post-practice compilation for Monday, February 10th features new and previously posted content, as well as excerpts. The 2025 prompt question was, “What is something you are consuming (food, beverage, media, etc.) that takes a while for you to digest?” You can request an audio recording of this practice 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.
“I am going to venture that the man who sat on the ground in his tipi meditating on life and its meaning, accepting the kinship of all creatures and acknowledging unity with the universe of things was infusing into his being the true essence of civilization.”
— quoted from the “What the Indian Means to America” in Land of the Spotted Eagle by Luther Standing Bear
“Contemplation”, which is the “Season for Nonviolence” principle for February 10th, comes in a variety of different flavors. It can be sitting with a concept (like contemplation, peace, ease, lovingkindness, etc.) and/or it can be the kind of contemplation Saint Ignatius of Loyola outlined in The Spiritual Exercises — which is similar to svādhyāya (“self-study”), the fourth niyama (internal “observation”) in the Yoga Philosophy, and involves putting yourself in another person’s shoes/circumstances.
For the Monday night practice in 2025, we did a little bit of both of these types of contemplation — starting with contemplations on cleanliness.
“But, before we enter on the subject, let it be observed, that slovenliness is no part of religion; that neither this, nor any text of Scripture, condemns neatness of apparel. Certainly this is a duty, not a sin. ‘Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness.’ Agreeably to this, good Mr. Herbert advises every one that fears God: —
Let thy mind’s sweetness have its operation Upon thy person, clothes, and habitation.
And surely every one should attend to this, if he would not have the good that is in him evil spoken of.”
— quoted from Sermon #88 (“On Dress”) by John Wesley, inspired by The First Epistle General of Peter (3:3–4)
Click on the excerpt title below for a 2021 post about cleansing rituals in different traditions.
What It Means To Be Clean on Day 13 (the “missing” Wednesday post, with a nod to Sunday)
For Those Who Missed It: “Coming Clean on Day 13” (original posted in 2023)
“If the cause of disease is understood as imbalance, then the goal of treatment is to recover balance. Problems are resolved through methods of complementarity.”
— quoted from “Problems in Search of a Solution: Treatment” in “Chapter Three – Philosopher in the East: The Doctor as Gardener” of Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine by Harriet Beinefield L.A.c. and Efrem Korngold L.A.c., O.M.D.
Many Eastern philosophies are tied to medical practices: e.g., Yoga and Ayurveda from India, Taoism and (Traditional) Chinese Medicine from China. In each pair of sciences, it is understood that too much or too little of something can create imbalance that leads to discomfort, dis-ease, and inefficiency. When the mind-body does not work optimally, these philosophies and medical sciences offer cleansing practices (and/or rituals) intended to improve overall health — physically, mentally, emotionally, and energetically/spiritually. These practices are ultimately about letting go of what no longer serves us and making room for what will serve us… or, for what we will be served.
People spend a lot of time eating and celebrating during the Lunar New Year, in a way that can be excessive and, therefore, can lead to imbalance. By Day 13, people are ready to give their bodies a break from all the rich and heavy food — especially if they are celebrating the Spring Festival. While there may not be ritual cleansing, people who celebrate the 15-day Spring Festival traditionally eat “clean” on Day 13. A lighter, often vegetarian, meal that can help the body cleanse itself after the heavy feasting of the previous two weeks also prepares the mind-body for one more round of feasting and celebrating during the Lantern Festival (on Day 15).
As referenced in the 2021 post excerpted above, day 13 of the Lunar New Year / Spring Festival is also the day when some people celebrate the birthday of the “God of War”. There are lots of different stories (and names) associated with the “God of War”. Some of the legends relate to a general who showed great loyalty; other stories relate to an acclaimed general who became a goddess who showed great empathy. While this is not seen as a good day to get married or have a big celebration, it is believed that offering prayers and gifts to the God of War on Day 13 will bring peace to a household and give businesses a winning edge. Regardless of the title that is used, the God of War is viewed as a protector of individuals, homes, and businesses; as well as the patron of “fraternities”, including the police (and other brotherhoods).
“‘We three—Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—though of different families, swear brotherhood, and promise mutual help to one end. We will rescue each other in difficulty; we will aid each other in danger. We swear to serve the state and save the people. We ask not the same day of birth, but we seek to die together. May Heaven, the all-ruling, and Earth, the all-producing, read our hearts. If we turn aside from righteousness or forget kindliness, may Heaven and Human smite us!’”
— quoted from “Chapter 1. The Oath of the Peach Garden” in Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong (English translator unknown)
Contemplation as Self-Study: “The Space Between….”, & “Making Connections”
Since the (secular) Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar, the Lunar New Year falls at different times according to the Western schedule. This year (2025), the thirteenth day coincides with the birthday of several musicians, a mathematician, a couple of mountain-climbing twins, and someone whose work allows us to hear more clearly. Their backgrounds are different, but their stories (and work) are all ultimately about making connections.
While we could put ourselves in any of their shoes, I only referenced the 1972 “earthly debut” of “Ziggy Stardust”, because one of my yoga buddies mentioned needing time to “digest” the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show and I think there are some people who are still (similarly) digesting the symbols and messages of David Bowie.
More to the point, I suggested each person put themselves in the shoes of James Edward Maceo West, who was born today in 1931, Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia. The ever-curious child of one of NASA’s “Hidden Figures”, James West attended a HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) — as well as a segregated high school; served in the military during the Korean War (at which time he received two Purple Heart awards); and currently holds several hundred US and international patents.
Like all other creative and innovative people (and everybody, really), James West has had to rest and digest his experiences in order to create — while simultaneously working with people to needed more time to digest the things going on around them.
“In life, racism was my biggest obstacle. I always felt like if I was white, would I have had a better life? I don’t know because I really do have fun. But I had to pay attention to things that more directly affected me than others. For example, I got an email from a colleague a few days ago that said basically I wish I hadn’t accused you of conspiracy theory as much as I did. We used to have lunch together and talk about the disparities between the races, and now he finally understood why I was so upset by getting continuously stopped by police on my way to work through an all-white community.
Now more people understand why the fear is there.”
— quoted from the Acoustics Today interview conducted by Hilary Kates Varghese, entitled “Being a Black Scholar, James West as told to Hilary Kates Varghese” (Winter 2020, Volume 16, Issue 4)
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
The Space Between Need, Conceive, & Invention (a special Black History note)
There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices.
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 a new 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).
ERRATA: The content above is related to February 10th, however, the original posting and email contained the wrong date.
### REST & DIGEST ###
A Quick Note & Excerpts About Dreaming, Being Human, & Answering the Call (the “missing” Saturday post) February 8, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Books, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Kumbh Mela, Life, Music, New Year, One Hoop, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Wisdom, Women, Yoga.Tags: 988, Carnival, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, dreaming, humanity, Jesse Jackson, Lisa Depaulo, Lisa Perez Jackson, Lunar New Year, Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahā Kumbha Mēlā, Martin Buber, Nina Simone, Ronald Gregor Smith, Spring Festival, Walter Kaufmann
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“Happy (Lunar) New Year!”, “Happy Hokkien New Year!”, and/or “Happy Carnival!” to those who are celebrating! Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Maha Kumbh Mela.
Peace, ease, and contemplation throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons! May your most hopeful dreams come true!!!
This “missing” post for Saturday, February 8th is a compilation post. It includes some new material, some revised material, and excerpts. You can request an audio recording of this practice 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.
“I want a little sugar in my bowl
I want a little sweetness down in my soul
I could stand some lovin’, oh so bad
Feel so funny, I feel so sad”
— quoted from the song “I Want A Little Sugar in My Bowl” by Nina Simone
Before I ask what you do with leftovers, or things left over from previous seasons, it might be prudent to ask how you feel about leftovers (and things left over from previous seasons). Because, while some people are quick to repurpose leftovers; some people (hello, brother) can’t stand leftovers. Then there are people who love leftovers, and may even prefer leftovers to the first serving. There are people who take leftovers for granted and people who are grateful for the abundance that leads to leftovers. So, yes, it might be prudent to ask how someone feels about leftovers (and things left over), because that informs how attached they are and what actions come from that attachment (even when it’s aversion).
For those who celebrated the Jade Emperor’s birthday (on Thursday), the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth days of the Lunar New Year / Spring Festival are all about leftovers. Some traditions view the Jade Emperor as the creator and/or ruler of heaven and earth, whose origins are beyond the physical; however, in some traditions, it is believed that the Jade Emperor was originally a (real) man who took away the suffering of others. Still others celebrate the Jade Emperor as a savior (see link above). In any of those cases, there can be lots of leftovers.
While I do not serve any food during the practice, I do serve up a little “food for thought” and nourishment for the mind-body-spirit. So, the “leftovers days” are an opportunity to revisit themes, stories, and related poses from earlier in the (Lunar) New Year. On Saturday, this meant revisiting questions about what it means to be human. Especially since February 8th is the anniversary of the birth of the existential philosopher Martin Buber (in Vienna in 1878).
“The basic word I-Thou can only be spoken with one’s whole being. The concentration and fusion into a whole being can never be accomplished by me, can never be accomplished without me. I require a You/Thou to become; becoming I, I say you.”
— quoted from Ich und Du by Martin Buber (English translation by Walter Kaufmann)
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
“Let us strive to know more about ourselves, –it is human, it is Christian-like to do so. Then there will be minds from which to select students for the college, that may come forth to the community graduates in Pharmacy, Surgery, Dentistry, and Medicine. It is well known that many noble-minded women have graced the chambers of the sick with good service, in different conditions of need, too; but at the present women appear to shrink from any responsibilities demanding patience and sacrifice, or rather seem not to rely on the union of their strength with that of our great Creator, in time of need.
What we need o-day in every community, is, not a shrinking or flagging of womanly usefulness in this field of labor, but renewed and courageous readiness to do when and whatever duty calls.”
— quoted from “Chapter XIX. General Remarks.” in A Book of Medical Discourses, In Two Parts by Rebecca Crumpler, M. D.
The “Season for Nonviolence” principle for Saturday was “Dreaming” — which (I think) is a very important part of being human and a big part of the stories of two exceptional humans who share a birthday with Martin Buber: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (who was born in Christiana, Delaware, in 1831) and Lisa Perez Jackson (who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1962). Both women centered their lives around a purpose (or calling) and relationships, the latter of which (as Martin Buber pointed out) is essential to being human.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
“The first girls to attend [the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy] were previously at the city’s lowest-ranked middle school. This year the school’s eighth graders earned one of the highest scores of all public schools in Atlanta on a state exam.
They’re Jackson’s sweet spot, these kids. African-American girls, who, like her, may have faced obstacles but are full of promise. ‘Listen,’ she says, ‘if these young women don’t grow up strong and talented and committed to our environment, then our country’s gonna suffer, not just them.’
Her speech hits home: ‘You have a right to clean air and clean water,’ she tells the girls, touching on one of her core initiatives, environmental justice—that is, to give a voice to the people, usually poor minorities, who are most severely affected by environmental hazards and calamities. ‘You have a right to have a healthy school to learn in.’ But such heady rights come with responsibility. The girls must be willing to do their part, she tells them—to blow past the wheezing stereotypes that only young men wearing pocket protectors are good at math and science, and that black women don’t set policy or lead. ‘You will bring clean air to your community,’ she tells them. ‘Which you can’t do if you don’t have the education.’”
— quoted from the O, The Oprah Magazine (June 2011) article “Clean Power: Lisa Jackson Fights for Our Right to Healthy Air, Water and Land: Somebody has to do it. We’re lucky it’s her.” by Lisa Depaulo
Saturday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “02082023 Being Human, prequel”]
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 a new 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).
“Alles wirkliche Leben ist Begegnung.”
“All real life is meeting.”
“All actual life is encounter.”
— quoted from Ich und Du by Martin Buber (English translations by Ronald Gregor Smith and Walter Kaufmann, respectively)
### “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.” ~ Jesse Jackson ###
First Friday Night Special #52: An Invitation to “The Sweet Ability of 3-Fold Healing” (the “missing” invitation w/excerpts & links) February 7, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Art, Books, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Hope, Kumbh Mela, Life, Loss, Music, New Year, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Suffering, Taoism, Tragedy, Wisdom, Women, Yin Yoga, Yoga.Tags: 988, Ardhanaranari, Ardhanarishvara, Black History Month, Carnival, Datuk Teh Kim Teh, Grace Chen, Gupta Navaratri, healing, Healing Stories, Hokkien, Jade Emperor, Kumbh Mela, Lunar New Year, Magha Navaratri, Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahā Kumbha Mēlā, Matthew Sanford, Navaratri, Nina Simone, Oscar William Adams Jr., Season for Nonviolence, Shi Fa Zhuo, Siddhidhatri, siddhis, Swami Vivekananda, Year of the Snake, Yoga Sutra 2.1
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“Nine days and nine nights of blessings and happiness if you are celebrating Magha Gupta Navaratri!” “Happy (Lunar) New Year!”, “Happy Hokkien New Year!”, and/or “Happy Carnival!” to those who are celebrating! Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Maha Kumbh Mela.
Peace, ease, and contemplation throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!!!
This is the “missing” invitation for the “First Friday Night Special” on February 7th. It is a compilation of related excerpts and some previously posted content. You can request an audio recording of this Restorative Yoga 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.
“‘Although we may not have an image of this deity in our temple, as long as devotees have the Jade Emperor in their hearts, their prayers will be heard,’ said [the Kwan Imm Temple’s] principal Shi Fa Zhuo.”
— quoted from The Star article entitled “Legend Behind Hokkien New Year emphasizes unity and solidarity” by Grace Chen (2/24/2018)
There are many people around the world who are currently engaged — or are about to be engaged — in rituals and traditions that are based on the belief that there is a connection between heaven and earth. For instance, Friday the 7th was the final night/day of Navaratri; the eleventh day of the Lunar New Year / Spring Festival; and a time when people are still celebrating and observing Carnival and Maha Kumbh Mela. Also, it is still the “Season for Nonviolence” and Black History Month.
Each of these events is full of stories. While the purely culture observations primarily involve stories about people who are earthbound, the religious and philosophical stories are about the inhabitants of heaven and earth. Additionally, all of these stories involve quite a bit of trauma and, as a result, a bit of healing and restoration. Sometimes (not all the time, but sometimes), however, I think that some people (not all the people, but some people) forget about the earth and (the inhabitants of earth) part. Sometimes I think that people forget that we can have an active role in our own healing.
According to Yoga and Sāmkhya (two of the 6 Indian philosophies), there are six siddhis (“powers” or “abilities”) that are described as “powers unique to being human.” One of those abilities is “the power to eliminate “three-fold sorrow – physical, mental, and spiritual”. To varying degrees, we all have this power and the related powers that support it — as well as the ability (through the practice) to enhance our abilities. Since the “Season for Nonviolence” principle of the day is “Healing”, I was reflecting on how healing shows up in these “healing stories” (as Matthew Sanford would call them) and how the stories not only reinforce the fact that we can participate in the healing, they highlight some modes and methods.
“Those Samâdhis with which we ended our last chapter are very difficult to attain; so we must take them up slowly. The first step, the preliminary step, is called Kriya-yoga. Literally this means work, working towards Yoga.”
— quoted from the commentary on Yoga Sūtra 2.1, in Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda
During Navaratri, each of manifestation of Durga/Parvati manifestation is a symbolic milestone (and a reminder that women “contain multitudes”). The final day is devoted to Siddhidhatri, whose name literally means “land/earth of achievements”. Her name can also be translated as “Giver of Perfection”, as She is believed to be endowed with all the siddhis (“abilities” or “powers”) in the Universe and, also, to be able to bestow all of them. Typically, however, She only gives nine of the multitudes — some of which are referenced in the Yoga Sūtras.
In art and literature, she is sometimes depicted as being half of Shiva (with Him being half of Her), meaning that they are the embodiment the yin/yang symbol. When they are shown together in this way, they are each known as Ardhanarishvara, Ardhanaranari, or similar names that all highlight the fact that They are partially a woman.
During the big celebrations of Navaratri (in the Spring and Fall) the final day is a double celebration — which may mean more feasting in some regions and more fasting in others. Magha Navaratri is one of the celebrations referred to as Gupta Navaratri meaning it is “hidden/secret” — again, not because no one knows about it, but because it is not as obvious as the bigger celebrations. Even one of the biggest days during this particular Gupta Navaratri is hidden in the middle! Vasant Panchami or Sri Panchami, a festival marking the beginning of Spring, occurs on the fifth day of Magha Navaratri.
“‘From this story, we learn that unity, solidarity and the active participation of the community is necessary when it comes to facing challenges,’ said [Klang Hokkien Association president Datuk Teh Kim] Teh.”
— quoted from The Star article (about a version of the story where only some hide) entitled “Legend Behind Hokkien New Year emphasizes unity and solidarity” by Grace Chen (2/24/2018)
Thursday was the ninth day of the Lunar New Year and the birthday of the Jade Emperor, who is known as the “Ruler of Heaven and Earth”. While he is a prominent figure some religious traditions and is honored throughout in the Lunar New Year celebrations, most people — even people who celebrate the 15-day Spring Festival — have gone back to business as usual by the ninth day of the Lunar New Year. People may do something in private, especially if they are hosting their son-in-law(s); but, for most people, it is not a special day off. There are, however, some people whose celebrations of the Jade Emperor’s birthday are so significant that they rival the festivities at the beginning of the Lunar New Year and the end of the Spring Festival.
For those people, the tenth day (Friday) is a continuation of the celebration… and a day full of leftovers.
The following (revised) excerpt is from a 2021 post:
“Legend has it that the Hokkien people (also known as Hoklo, Banlam, and Minnan people) found themselves under attack. The Hokkien were not warriors, but they came in close proximity with warriors because they were known for building great ships. One version of their story states that the events occurred while they were being hunted and killed during the Song Dynasty (between 960 and 1279 CE). Another version indicates that they were caught between warring factions. Ultimately, to escape the carnage, they decided to hide in a sugar cane field — which, in some versions of the story, just miraculously appeared. The whole community hid until there were no more sounds of horses, warriors, or battle. Legend has it that they emerged on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, which is the Jade Emperor’s Birthday.Sometimes referred to as ‘Heavenly Grandfather’ and ‘Heavenly Duke’, the Jade Emperor is recognized as the ruler of heaven and earth in some Chinese religions and mythology. In Taoism, he is one of the Three Pure Ones or the Three Divine Teachers. Fujian province (in China), Penang (in Malayasia), and Taiwan are three areas where there is a large concentration of Hokkien people and, therefore, places where the ninth day of the Lunar New Year is a large celebration. In some places the celebrations begin at 11 PM on the eighth night and can be so large that they eclipse the celebrations of the first day of the Lunar New Year (in those areas). In fact, the ninth day is actually called ‘Hokkien New Year’.
Those who are religious will go to a temple and engage in a ritual involving prostration, kneeling, bowing, incense, and offerings. For many there is a great feast full of fruits, vegetables, noodles, and (of course) sugar cane. The sugar cane is an important element of the Jade Emperor’s birthday celebrations and rituals — not only because of the aforementioned story of survival, but also because the Hokkien word for ‘sugarcane’ (kam-chià, 甘蔗) is a homonym for (or sounds like) a Hokkien word for ‘thank you’ (kamsiā, 感谢), which literally means ‘feeling thankful’.
Every version of the Hokkien people’s survival story is a great reminder that we can give thanks no matter how hard, how challenging, how infuriating, and/or how tragic our situation. Take [2020, or last year], for instance: When we look back at all the hard stuff, all the grief, all the fear, all the anger, all the disappointment, and all of the trauma, we can get distracted and forget that there were moments of sweetness. There were moments of kindness, moments of love, moments of birth and rebirth, moments of compassion, moments of hope, and moments of joy. In other words, in spite of all the hard stuff, there were moments of sweetness. Take a moment to remember one of those moments; and feel thankful.”
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR THE ENTIRE POST.
Focus+Concentrate+Meditate = Sweet Heaven (the “missing” post)
“The black man does not wish to be the pet of the law. The more blacks become enmeshed in meaningful positions in our society, then the more that society will be come non-discriminatory. His goals and ideals will become identical with goals and ideals of the rest of society. To insist on special treatment, and demand and get integration in other aspects of society is to pursue inconsistent approaches. If a black man is allowed to go as far as his talents will carry him, he will not need special protection from the courts. If he is not, the courts will once again be asked for special protection.”
— quoted from the special concurrence opinion for Beck v. State, 396 So. 2d 645 (1980) by Alabama Supreme Court Justice Oscar W. Adams
During a vinyasa practice, I usually reference several people born on February 7th — and parts of their stories are very much about healing (and explaining experiences in a way that can lead to healing). However, for the 2025 First Friday practice, I only referenced one person. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, today in 1925, Oscar Williams Adams, Jr. was a lawyer, a judge, and an Alabama Supreme Court Justice. What is as interesting as all of his achievements, is the fact that his story is the case of someone who observed a miscarriage of justice (i.e., trauma and loss) and worked his way into a position where he could right wrongs (i.e., facilitate healing)
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT BELOW FOR MORE.
Space and the Power of Hearing(s) (a special Black History note, w/a Tuesday link)
The February First Friday Night Special features a Yin Yoga practice. It 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 “Lunar New Year Day 10 KM/N 2025”]
Prop wise, this is a kitchen sink practice and there are times when I suggest using a wall, chair, sofa, or coffee table. You may want extra layers (as your body may cool down during this practice). Having a wall, chair, sofa, or coffee table will be handy for this practice. Example of “Studio” props: 1 – 2 blankets, 2 – 3 blocks, a bolster, a strap, and an eye pillow. Examples 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 may be handy for this practice.
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 a new 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).
### “I want a little sugar in my bowl
I want a little sweetness down in my soul
I could stand some lovin’, oh so bad
Feel so funny, I feel so sad” ~Nina Simone ###
Take Care (the post-practice Monday post) February 3, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Baseball, Books, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Football, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Karma, Kumbh Mela, Life, Men, Music, Mysticism, New Year, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Women, Yoga.Tags: 988, Amrit Snan, Arvind Sharma, Buddy Holly, Caring, Carnival, Charles Follis, Clear-Water Grand Master, David Kinsley, Ghost of Poverty, Gupta Navaratri, Hillary Rodrigues, Hothouse Flowers, J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Lunar New Year, Magha Navaratri, Maha Kumbh Mela, Michael Franti, Milt Roberts, Navaratri, Ritchie Valens, Roger Peterson, Saraswati Puja, Seane Corn, Season for Nonviolence, Shahi Snan, Skandamata, Spearhead, Spring, Spring Festival, Stewart Levine, Vasant Panchami, water, Year of the Snake
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“Nine days and nine nights of blessings and happiness if you are celebrating Magha Gupta Navaratri!” “Happy (Lunar) New Year!” and/or “Happy Carnival!” to those who are celebrating! Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Maha Kumbh Mela and/or Vasant Panchami / Saraswati Puja.
Peace, ease, and contemplation throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!!!
This post-practice compilation for Monday, February 3rd features new and previously posted content, as well as excerpts. The 2025 prompt question was, “What is a way you care for yourself, care for those around you, and care for the world?” You can request an audio recording of this practice 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.
“My six non-negotiables for wellness would be yoga, meditation, prayer, diet, sleep, and therapy — or some form of spiritual mentorship, even if that includes reading books. If I don’t do these six non-negotiables I know that, just because of the familiarity of tension, that in conflict or in crisis I will without a doubt become reactive. I will say or do something that will actually create more conflict for myself and for the other person; making a situation escalate in a way that’s unnecessary, because I’m not actually dealing with some of my own suppressed emotions. And, so, I have to commit to what works for me.”
“So those are my six non-negotiables for myself. The seventh one, that I’m awful at, but I highly recommend — it’s something I’m trying to bring more of in my life, because I really do understand the importance of it in terms of wellness — and that would be play.”
— Seane Corn, quoted from the video “7 Non-Negotiables for Wellbeing | Seane Corn”
Almost a decade ago, Lead with Love asked Seane Corn to share her non-negotiables for wellbeing (see video below). We all have non-negotiables, meaning things we do in order to show up in the world at our best and as the best versions of ourselves. My top three are music, yoga, and stories — not necessarily in that order — and, in addition to including those non-negotiables into every day, I share them as one of the ways I take care of others (and, on a certain level, the way I take care of the world).
Maybe yours are the same or similar to hers, or to mine, or maybe they are really different. What is important — especially in challenging times — is that we know what we need to do to take care our ourselves, as if we are our own fiercest protector and nurturer.
“In his research on Durgā worship in Varansi, Hillary Rodrigues asked both males and females how they understood these goddesses and what lent the group internal coherence. Males, for the most part, stressed the fact that all were manifestations of Durgā or the Mahādevī, that they represented her different manifestations in the world. When pressed, some males interpreted the nine goddesses as different stages in the evolution of prakṛti (the physical creation) or as different elements in it….
Interpretations of the nine Durgās by women differed dramatically from this rather philosophical view of the goddesses. According to certain females, the nine Durgās represent the stages in a woman’s life; as one woman put it: ‘These nine Durgās are our life, women’s life.’”
— quoted from the “Religious Materials Are Heavily Gendered” section of “1. Women’s Studies in the History of Religions” by David Kinsley, as published in Methodology in Religious Studies: The Interface with Women’s Studies, edited by Arvind Sharma
This fifth day of Navaratri, the Hindu festival of “nine nights” celebrating divine feminine energy in various manifestations, is devoted to Skandamata, who is a fierce mother as protector — a woman who simultaneously holds her baby, rides a lion, and keeps her eyes (especially her third eye) open for any and all danger. If we follow the story and see each manifestation as a different stage in a woman’s life and development, then each version of Durga/Parvati prepares her for the next stage of her life. Skandamata, then, is someone who can take care of herself and also take care of others.
Coincidentally, the “Season for Nonviolence” principle for today is “Caring” — and Skandamata is a reminder that in order to take care of others, we must take care of ourselves.
A MUSIC STORY
“Everyone deserves music, sweet music”
— quoted from the song “Everyone Deserves Music” by Michael Franti & Spearhead
Since the Monday practice is, technically, one of the practices without a playlist, I typically avoid themes related to music or just mention them in passing. For instance, this date on the Gregorian calendar, is known as “The Day the Music Died” and I normally tell the story of the disastrous “Winter Dance Party” tour and how a plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, as well as the pilot, Roger Peterson, crashed just outside of Clear Lake, Iowa, today in 1959.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR THE STORY (& MUSIC).
CLEANSING /DETOXIFYING STORIES
“Cos it is good for me
It can be good for you”
— quoted from the song “Good For You” by Hothouse Flowers (written by Hothouse Flowers and Stewart Levine)
Water and staying hydrated are, obviously, non-negotiables for everyone. Water is recognized as an element of purification and an integral part of many rituals and traditions around the world. In fact, today is the third Amrit Snan (“necter baths”) or Shahi Snan (“royal baths”) during this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela celebrations. This fourth (of six) most auspicious dates this year to bathe in the sacred river occurs on Vasant Panchami (also known as Saraswati Puja), which is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Saraswati and marks the beginning (or the preparations for the beginning) or Spring.
Water and spring cleaning are also highlighted on this sixth day of the Lunar New Year / Spring Festival in some stories related to the Clear-Water Grand Master and the Ghost of Poverty.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR SOME LUNAR YEAR DAY 6 STORIES.
A STORY ABOUT TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF, OTHERS, & THE WORLD
“‘Follis was a natural hitter and he had an ease about him and a confident smile that always seemed to worry opposing pitchers,’ one report said. ‘As a football player and as a baseball player he gained the respect of his associates and opponents as well by his clean tactics and his gameness,’ said another.”
— quoted from “Charles Follis” by Milt Roberts (originally in Black Sports, Nov. 1975), reproduced in THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 2, No. 1 (1980)
I mentioned before that stories (and sharing stories) are one of the ways I take care of myself (and others) and can also be a way to take care of the world. I think this is true about all manner of stories (fictional as well as non-fictional), because all stories can teach us about ourselves and can teach us about our lives — especially if we practice a little svādhyāya (“self-study”). It can be particularly help to learn how other people dealt with challenging situations and how those people changed/made history.
A perfect example of such a story is the story (really, stories) of Charles W. Follis, who was born today in 1879. Known as “the Black Cyclone”, Mr. Follis not only made history, the way he dealt with racism inspired others to change the world around them.
There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices.
Check out Seane’s explanation of her non-negotiables.
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 a new 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).
### TAKE CARE ###
EXCERPTS (& Stories) That I Hope Make You Smile [the “missing” Saturday post] February 1, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Kumbh Mela, Langston Hughes, Life, Meditation, Music, New Year, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Poetry, Religion, Suffering, Wisdom, Women, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 988, Arun Gandhi, Black History Month, Carnival, Chandraghanta, E. Ethelbert Miller, Gupta Navaratri, Jack Kornfield, Kitchen God, Kumbh Mela, Kumbha Mēlā, Langston Hughes, Lunar New Year, Magha Navaratri, Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace, Martin Luther King Jr, Mayumi Oda, Mohandas Gandhi, Navaratri, Season for Nonviolence, smiling, Thich Nhat Hanh, Year of the Snake
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“Nine days and nine nights of blessings and happiness if you are celebrating Magha Gupta Navaratri!” “Happy (Lunar) New Year!” and/or “Happy Carnival!” to those who are already celebrating! Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Maha Kumbh Mela and/or preparing for .
Peace, ease, smiling, and contemplation throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!!!
This “missing” post for Saturday, February 1st is a compilation post. It includes some new material, some revised material, and excerpts. You can request an audio recording of this practice 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.
“Meditation is to be aware of what is going on-in our bodies, in our feelings, in our minds, and in the world. Each day 40,000 children die of hunger. The superpowers now have more than 50,000 nuclear warheads, enough to destroy our planet many times. Yet the sunrise is beautiful, and the rose that bloomed this morning along the wall is a miracle. Life is both dreadful and wonderful. To practice meditation is to be in touch with both aspects. Please do not think we must be solemn in order to meditate. In fact, to meditate well, we have to smile a lot.”
— quoted from “1: Suffering Is Not Enough” in Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh (Illustrated by Mayumi Oda, Introduction by Jack Kornfield)
THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE
Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mohandas Gandhi, established the “Season for Nonviolence” (January 30th through April 4th) in 1998. Throughout the season, the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace offers daily practices based on principles of nonviolence advocated by Mahatma Gandhi (who was assassinated on January 30, 1948) and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (who was assassinated on April 4, 1968). The thing to remember is that these principles are not unique to one culture, one philosophy, or one religion. Courage, smiling, appreciation, caring, believing, simplicity, education — the principles of the first week — all predate Gandhi and MLK; they also predate Jesus and the Buddha. One could argue that they are universal.
One could argue that they move through our stories like rivers.
SPEAKING OF RIVERS… (in the new year)
“I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”
— from the poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes
Every day, we are simultaneously living (i.e., “writing”) the story of our lives and telling that story, as our stories overlap with the stories around us. This happens, more often than not, without us thinking about how we do it. However, when we intentionally decide to tell our story (and, in doing so, tell part of someone else’s story), we need to decide on a medium — and there are so many ways we can tell a story. We can use prose or poetry, song or movement, a static visual or animation, or some combination of all of the above — and we can share whatever we create live (e.g., on stage, online, or in a pub), in a document, and/or in a recording.
Langston Hughes, who was born today (February 1st) in 19011, wrote a lot of things in a lot of different mediums. Born James Mercer Langston Hughes, the prominent member of the Harlem Renaissance and the first Black American to earn a living solely from writing and public lectures, wrote poetry (including jazz poetry, which he started writing in high school), novels, plays, essays, and letters…so many letters. He wrote so many letters, in fact, that at one point he was writing 30 – 40 letters a day and, by the end of his life, he could have filled 20 volumes of books with his letters. While he wrote in a lot of different mediums and wrote about a lot of different experiences, many people primarily think of him as a poet… a poet who wrote about the Black experience. He also inspired a lot of poets, including the poet, teacher, editor, and literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller.2
“There is much for a writer like myself to learn from Langston. His productivity — and the fact that he wrote for a living — is an inspiration. In many photographs, Hughes is laughing or smiling like the Buddha. I have often wondered what he was thinking.”
— quoted from the essay “The Buddha Smile of Langston Hughes” by E. Ethelbert Miller
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE!
STORIES RELATED TO HEAVEN & EARTH
In addition to thinking about stories related to the “Season for Nonviolence”, Langston Hughes, and the beginning of Black History Month, I am also thinking about stories related to other observations and celebrations happening around the world. We are still in the middle of Carnival and people are still observing Maha Kumbh Mela. Plus, today (Saturday) was also the third day of Magha (Gupta) Navaratri and the fourth day of the Lunar New Year / Spring Festival celebrations.
Navaratri, the Hindu festival of “nine nights” celebrating divine feminine energy in various manifestations, occurs four times a year. Magha Navaratri is one of the celebrations referred to as Gupta Navaratri meaning it is “hidden/secret” — again, not because no one knows about it, but because it is not as obvious as the bigger celebrations in the Spring and Fall.
Each day and night is dedicated to a different manifestation of Durga, the divine mother. Some people see the manifestations as nine different women; however, they are also seen by some as the same woman at different points in her story. For instance, her third form is Chandraghanta, whose name “one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell” comes from the image of the newly-wed Parvati. She is depicted as a combination of beauty, grace, and courage, with her third eye open — the result of all the (yoga) preparation performed by Her previous manifestation. That open third eye means that she is always ready to fight evil and demons. In fact, she is sometimes known as the “Goddess Who Fights Demons.”
Here “demons” can be a metaphor for anything that ails you physically, mentally, emotionally — even energetically, spiritually, and religiously. They can be challenges and hurdles that need to be over come. They can even be mistakes… sins… or vows (as I referred to them during the High Holidays) that can be absolved or forgiven. In fact, the faithful of all the different religions believe that there are ways (and even special times) when mistakes, sins, and broken vows are turned away… or washed away.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT BELOW FOR HOW PEOPLE WASH THINGS AWAY.
“Fifteen days later, the Buddha gave a Dharma talk on lay life. He told the laity how they could realize true happiness in their daily lives…. ‘First of all, do not let a desire for wealth cause you to become so consumed by your work that you prevent happiness for yourself and your family in the present moment. Happiness is foremost. A look filled with understanding, an accepting smile, a loving word, a meal shared in warmth and awareness are the things which create happiness in the present moment. By nourishing awareness in the present moment, you can avoid cause suffering to yourself and those around you. The way you look at others, your smile, and your small acts of caring can create happiness.’”
— quoted from Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha by Thich Nhat Hanh
A KITCHEN STORY (OR 2) ON DAY 4 (excerpt)
For a lot of people who are celebrating the Lunar New Year (see excerpt above), the fourth day is the day when things start going back to normal (whatever that is these days). People go back to work and back to school. People who were able to travel to see family start heading back home (or are already home). Even though those celebrating the Spring Festival for 15 days, will reign in the festivities a bit. However, each day still has significance and special rituals. For instance, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year is not only the birthday of all sheep (in some Chinese traditions), it is also the day when the Kitchen God returns to the hearth.
According to one set of stories, the Kitchen God was at one time a man who, after gaining a certain amount of power and wealth, abandoned his first wife and married a younger woman. Years after the original couple divorced, the man fell on hard times. He lost his wealth, his power, his second wife, and his eyesight. He became a beggar on the streets. One day, the stories tell us, the man’s first wife saw her former husband begging in the streets. She was a woman of great kindness and compassion and so she invited him to her simple home and offered him a shower, some food, and a moment of warmth by the fire.
Remember, the old man could no longer see and didn’t know that this generous woman was the same woman he had treated so poorly. Full, clean, and sitting by the fire, however, he started to talk about his first wife. He lamented about his first marriage and the life they could have had if he hadn’t dumped her. In the process of soothing her now sobbing former husband, the woman revealed her identity and said that she forgave him. Miraculously, the man was suddenly able to see; but he was so distraught that he threw himself into the kitchen stove.
Legend has it, the woman could only save his leg — which became the fireplace poker — and the man became the “Kitchen God”, who leaves the kitchen alter just before the New Year and returns to heaven in order to give the Jade Emperor an accounting of each household’s activities during the previous year. In the final days of the old year, people will clean up their homes — so the alter(s) will be ready for the return of the gods and ancestors — and, sometimes, smear honey on the lips of the Kitchen God so that his report is extra sweet. Then the Kitchen God and other household gods return on the fourth day of the New Year.
I always imagine that some years the Kitchen God’s report is really, really, wild. Can you imagine? Seriously, imagine what he would say about the way we have treated each other over the last few years. Sure, some of us might not be portrayed too badly; but others of us….
More to the point, remember that the Kitchen God’s report is simply one way that our (lived) stories get told. Just imagine a report from the beginning of 1901 or 1902 (which would have been the end of the year of the rat and the year of the ox, respectively). Imagine, even, the report from the end of 1940 (the year of the dragon). What hard truths would have been in those reports?
What hard truths will be in this year’s report?
“So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”
— quoted from the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
Saturday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Langston & Day 1 2022”]
NOTE: The playlists have been revised since 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
“Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.”
— quoted from the poem “Dreams” by Langston Hughes
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 a new 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).
NOTES:
1According to most printed biographies (that I checked), Langston Hughes was born in 1902. However, many digital sources indicate that he was born in 1901 — and this earlier date is based on research and fact checking reported for the New York Times by Jennifer Schuessler (in 2018). Curiously, the 1940 census listed his birth as “abt 1905”; however, this information would have been given to a census taker by one of the poet’s roommates. (Additionally, we know from one his poems that Langston Hughes didn’t think very highly of the “census man” and the accuracy of census information.)
2 E. Ethelbert Miller’s essay “The Buddha Smile of Langston Hughes” was first published in Black Issues Book Review in 2001 (and is quoted here from On Being.
ERRATA: The original post was titled as Sunday, but this is a Saturday post.
### :smile: ###
Auspicious, Holy, & New (the “missing” Wednesday post) January 29, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Abhyasa, Books, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Kumbh Mela, Life, Mantra, Music, Mysticism, New Year, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Suffering, Vairagya, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 988, amrita, Carnival, Gupta Navaratri, Jon Timothy Veazey, Kim Jeblick, Kumbh Mela, Kumbha Mēlā, Lunar New Year, Magha Navaratri, Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahā Kumbha Mēlā, Raghubir Singh, Sam Hui, Spring Festival, Walela, Yasmin Williams, Year of the Snake, Yoga Sutra 1.1, Yoga Sutra 2.1
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“Happy (Lunar) New Year!” and/or “Happy Carnival!” to those who are already celebrating! Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Maha Kumbh Mela and/or preparing for Magha Gupta Navaratri.
May we all be safe and protected / May we all be peaceful and happy / May we all be healthy and strong!
This “missing” post for Wednesday, January 29th. It is a compilation post featuring some new and a little bit of previously posted content. You can request an audio recording of this practice 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.
ATHA — now, at this auspicious moment; implying the transition to this practice and pursuit, after prior preparation; implying a blessing at this moment of transition
YOGA — of yoga, union; literally, to yoke, from the root yuj, which means to join or to integrate; same as the absorption in samadhi
About fifteen years ago, Kim Jeblick made a couple of comments during a Dharma Yoga workshop that really stuck with me. One of the things she said was that the first words in a Sanskrit text are the most important; everything else comes from those first words.
It makes sense, then, that the very first words in the very first Yoga Sūtra are atha and yoga. It makes sense that, right off the bat, we are grounded in the present moment — with awareness of what has come before — and focused on coming together. It also makes sense that the beginning is auspicious, meaning, “conducive to success; favorable.” Ideally, every beginning is auspicious; but, what makes a moment “characterized by success”?
What are the signs that everything is aligned?
Many people look at a change in season and/or the position or phase of the moon (and/or the planets) as a sign of good fortune. Full moons and new moons are seen as particularly powerful. In fact, the new moon on Wednesday (January 29th) is seen as particularly auspicious by multiple cultures around the world. It marks the middle of two holy times and the beginning of two other sacred times — one of which is a new year.
“财神到 财神到
Caishen dao caishen dao [The god of wealth has come! The god of wealth has come!]
好心得好报
Hao xinde hao bao [Good news]
财神话 财神话
Caishenhua caishenhua [Myth of money, myth of money]
揾钱依正路
wen qian yi zhenglu [if you follow the right path]”
— quoted from the song “Cai Shen Dao” [“The God of Wealth Has Come!” by Sam Hui, lyrics in Hanzi [Chinese characters], pīnyīn [“spelled sounds”], and English
Today is the beginning of the Lunar New Year. The Chinese lunisolar calendar designates this year is the year of the (wood) Snake — which means it is a time to shed things that no longer serve us, the way a snake sheds it’s skin. While many East and Southeast Asian cultures celebrate at the same time — and while there are some similarities to celebrations held at other times of the year — each culture has different rituals and traditions that connect people with their extended families, ancestors, and heritage.
In parts of China and the diaspora, the beginning of the New Year is also the beginning of the Spring Festival, a fifteen day celebration that culminates with the Lantern Festival. Even though each day of the Lunar New Year has a special significance, each region has different stories and traditions related to that significance. For example, according to one Chinese creation story, different animals are celebrated depending on when they were created; thus, today is the birthday of all chickens. Others are celebrating the birthday of the water god and, therefore, will not wash their hair or their clothes on the first two days of the new year. Some Buddhist people celebrate the birth of Maitreya Buddha on the first day of the lunar new year and spend New Year’s Day, as well as several days leading up to the first day, chanting, praying, and/or meditating (depending on their beliefs). People will also light candles and make offerings at the temple before their feasting begins.
Even though there are some differences between regions and cultures in celebrations of the Lunar New Year, there are some common elements. The Lunar New Year celebrations generally include extended family coming together; the welcoming of ancestors and (in some households) the welcoming of household deities (like the water god); red clothes, red decorations, and red envelopes; fireworks, parades, and loud noises, a bit of feasting, and (of course), the wish, prayer, blessing, or shout for prosperity: “Cai Shen Dao! [The God of Wealth has come! in Mandarin]”
In 2025, the Spring Festival celebrations begin in the middle of Carnival season, which started on January 6th, and is the lead up to Mardi Gras (on March 4th), which is the raucous celebration before Lent for Western Christians.
Wednesday is also the eve of Navaratri (which means “nine nights” in Sanskrit) and is a celebration of divine feminine energy — specifically of Durga, the divine mother, in various manifestations. Navaratri occurs four times on the Hindu calendar. The one that begins on Thursday, Magha Navaratri, is one of the celebrations referred to as Gupta Navaratri meaning it is “hidden/secret” — not because no one knows about it, but because it is not as obvious as the bigger celebrations.
It is also not nearly as big as another great Hindu festival taking place at this same time.
MAHĀ — Great, mighty, powerful, lofty, noble.
KUMBH — Pitcher, jar, pot
MĒLĀ — Assembly, unite, join, meet, move together, junction
Today (Wednesday) is also one of the holiest and most auspicious days during the holiest of times in some Hindu traditions. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Maha Kumbh Mela (Mahā Kumbha Mēlā, in Sanskrit) is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, attracting hundreds of millions of people to one of four (4) locations for ceremonial or ritual bathing in sacred rivers. The multi-week gatherings coincide with the partial or full revolution of Jupiter and are considered particularly significant every 6, 12, and 144 years — with many believing that 2025 is a 144-year event. Additionally, there are six days that are considered particularly auspicious. (In 2025, those dates are January 13th, 14th, and 29th, plus February 3rd, 12th, and 26th). With this year (and Wednesday’s date) being considered so extraordinarily auspicious, hundreds of millions of people have been attending the Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela. Unfortunately, on Wednesday morning, the conflux of people resulted in the death of at least 30 people and the injury of at least 60 more people.
The pilgrimages take place in Prayagraj (at the Ganges-Yamuna-Sarasvati rivers confluence), Haridwar (at the Ganges River), Nashik-Trimbak (at the Godavari River), and Ujjain (at the Shipra River). There are smaller melas or fairs/festivals (on a 6-year cycle) at some of these locations and there are similar, smaller, gatherings in other regions. For instance, in Tamil Nadu there is a Magha Mela held in Kumbakonam (at the Mahamaham tank, near Kaveri River) every 12 years and, in 2022, there was also one in Bansberia (at Hooghly River) for the first time in 700 years.
“Finally, those who had waited began to move, making a formidable river of faith. Into Ganga’s liquid arms wave after wave of pilgrims ran, splashed and fell. To keep their spirits up they filled the air with the cries of ‘Ganga Mai ki Jai! (Victory to Mother Ganga!)’ There was thunder and lightning. It looked as though the Ganga was being joined by a fourth stream: the devout.”
— quoted from “3 Kumbha Mela: The Great Gathering” in The Ganges by Raghubir Singh
The primary maha, or “great”, kumbh melas only happen every 12 years at each location. Although there is a special rotation schedule — based on the alignment of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon, there has been an ongoing dispute between two of the locations, resulting in a Kumbh Mela taking place in two different locations in the same year or one year apart. Ironically, the story behind the gatherings also involves a dispute.
According to the legends, there was a disagreement between a short-tempered sage (Durvasa) and Indra (noted in this context as King of Heaven). The sage cursed all the devas (“bright or divine beings”), who lost their vitality, health, immortality, and prosperity. This curse meant that the devas found themselves on the losing end of battles against the power-hungry asuras. The only solution, the devas, were told, was a diplomatic agreement where the devas and asuras worked together to churn the primordial “Ocean of Milk” in order to obtain the nectar of immortality.
Long story short, the opposing sides agreed to work together. They threw herbs into the Ocean of Milk and moved Mount Mandara to the middle of the primordial ocean (as a churning rod); Vasuki (the half-snake, half human king) agreed to be the churning rod; and each side grabbed hold of their end of the snake. They quickly realized they needed more stability — because they mountain was sinking — and so Vishnu (an avatar of God) became Kurma, the tortoise whose shell gave them the necessary stability. It was still a long and laborious process; but, eventually, things started bubbling up. There was a poison, which Shive drank to save everyone, thereby developing a blue throat. Then more stuff bubbled up. While the descriptions of what came up varies depending on the source, they include:
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Chandra, the moon,
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parijata (night-blooming jasmine, which is sometimes called the “tree of sorrow”)
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the four-tusked elephant Airavata, Indra’s mount,
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Kamadhenu, the cow of plenty,
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Madira, the goddess of wine, who became Varuni, the wife of Varuna,
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Kalpavriksha, the wish-fulfilling tree,
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the apsaras (celestial dancers),
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the celestial horse Uccaihshravas,
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Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, who became Vishnu’s wife,
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Panchajanya, Vishnu’s conch,
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Vishnu’s mace and magic bow, and
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various gems.
Finally, the last two treasures to bubble up were Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, holding the pot of amrita (nectar of “immortality”).
Of course, once they had the elixir of immortality, the two sides started another dispute. Again, I’m leaving out (and condensing) some bits and fast forwarding to the moment when the sacred rivers were created: either when the asuras stole the jug of nectar — or when Vishnu (in disguise) stole it back — and the kumbh cracked, dripping bits of amrita onto the Earth. Another popular version of the story indicates that the sacred rivers where formed when the jug split into four pieces. Yet another indicates that the kumbh was set down, four times, while the traveler rested during the long journey home. Keep in mind that the festivals themselves pre-date the (written) versions of these stories.
People believe that bathing in sacred rivers, especially at the appointed times, will cleanse them of their sins and past mistakes and prepare them for better days ahead. Others believe it will heal what ails them. Finally, some believe that by bathing in the sacred waters they can achieve moksha (ultimate “immortality”). These beliefs are very similar to water-based beliefs held in other religious traditions.
“The first to bathe are the sadhus. Thousands march in procession to the confluence…. Many were naked, their hair matted and their bodies smeared with ashes from burnt cowdung. These nagas (literally, ‘nakeds’) were an eerie sight in the January mist.”
“At each Kumbha, those aspiring to be nagas are initiated. The applicant can be from any caste or creed, but he should have lived nine years in the first degree of initiation as a brachmachari [sic] (one who has renounced earthly pleasures) and he should have fasted for twenty-four hours and then bathed in the Ganga during the Kumbha. Rituals are then performed in tents.”
— quoted from “3 Kumbha Mela: The Great Gathering” in The Ganges by Raghubir Singh
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Lunar New Year Day 1 & Kumbh Mela 16 2025”]
NOTE: The YouTube playlist includes the video below that I serendipitously came across a couple of days ago. The Spotify playlist has an extra chant since the video is not available on that platform.
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 a new 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).
### “Go and pray upon a mountain / Go and pray beside the ocean / And you’ll wash your spirit clean” ~ Walela (Jon Timothy Veazey) ###
TEASER/EXCERPT: “The Serendipity Practice” January 28, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Changing Perspectives, Life, Meditation, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Vipassana, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: chaos theory, Christa McAuliffe, Ed Sheeran, Elvis Presley, Horace Walpole, Horatio Walpole, LEGO, samskāras, santosha, santoşā, serendipity, shoshin, Space Shuttle Challenger, synchronicity, T. H. Huxley, Thomas Henry Huxley, vasanas, Voltaire, vāsanā, yoga philosophy, Yoga Sutra 2.20, Yoga Sutra 3.16
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Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Maha Kumbh Mela. Peace and safe passage to everyone getting ready for a New Year and/or an auspicious date.
May we all be safe and protected / May we all be peaceful and happy / May we all be healthy and strong! May we all appreciate the “accidental goodness” in our lives.
“In all these cases, it is only the relation to time which alters — the process of divination beyond the limits of possible direct knowledge remains the same.“
— quoted from the essay “On the Method of Zadig: Retrospective Prophecy as a Function of Science” (1880) in Collected Essays, Volume 4. Science and Hebrew Tradition by T. H. Huxley
Today in 1754, Horace Walpole, the Right Honorable Earl of Orford, shared the word and meaning of serendipity.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE!
The Serendipity Practice (the “missing” and “long-lost” Sunday post for 1/28)
Yoga Sūtra 3.16: pariṇāmatrayasaṃyamādatãtānāgatajñānam
— “By samyama [focus-concentration-meditation] on the three-fold changes in form, time, and characteristics, there comes knowledge of the past and future.”
Please join me today (Tuesday, January 28th) at 12:00 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.
Tuesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “01282024 Serendipity”]
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 a new 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.)
### “I’ll pick you up when you’re gettin’ down” ~ Ed Sheeran ###
A Quick Note & EXCERPT: “2024 / ‘For Those Who Missed It (& those who still don’t get it): Divine Remembrance’” [a post-practice Monday post] January 27, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Changing Perspectives, Healing Stories, Hope, Loss, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Religion, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: 988, Dante Alighieri, Dr. Viktor Frankl, Exodus, Franz Vesely, Holocaust, Indiana University Press, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Shemot, United Nations General Assembly, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Maha Kumbh Mela. Peace and safe passage to all on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong!
This is the post-practice post for Monday, January 27th (with an excerpt). The 2025 prompt question was, “What is your hope for the future?” The linked post and practice reference political conflict, war, and genocide. You can request an audio recording of this practice 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.
“What we create, experience, and suffer, in this time, we create, experience, and suffer for all eternity. As far as we bear responsibility for an event, as far as it is ‘history,’ our responsibility, it is incredibly burdened by the fact that something has happened that cannot be ‘taken out of the world.’ However, at the same time an appeal is made to our responsibility—precisely to bring what has not yet happened into the world! And each of us must do this as part of our daily work, as part of our everyday lives. So everyday life becomes the reality per se, and this reality becomes a potential for action. And so, the ‘metaphysics of everyday life’ only at first leads us out of everyday life, but then—consciously and responsibly—leads us back to everyday life.”
— quoted from “Experimentum Crucis” in Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything by Viktor E. Frankl (with an introduction by Daniel Goleman and an afterword by Franz Vesely)
While you probably did not hear anyone else talk about the other events I mentioned during Monday’s practice (and in the post excerpted below), there is a good chance — depending on your bubble — that at some point on Monday you heard someone mention that Auschwitz-Birkenau (the largest Nazi concentration and death camp complex) was liberated today (January 27th) in 1945. Perhaps you also know that, in November 2005, the United Nations General Assembly resolution 60/7 designated January 27th as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
You might have even heard, as I did, that a large number of adults around the world can not name a single concentration camp. The statistics vary, depending on the country, from over 25% in the United Kingdom, France, and Romania to over 50% in the United States. I was shocked by these statistics and thought, ‘Well, I know 4 or 5, so I can look up the rest and post them on the blog with the excerpt.’
Of course, you will notice that there is no such list here.
There is no list, because Nazi Germany operated over a thousand concentration camps (including subcamps) from 1933 — 1945. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) and Indiana University Press published a seven-part encyclopedia series, called Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945, which covered over 42,500 sites in Europe and Africa (controlled by the Nazis and the other Axis powers during that time period). According to the encyclopedia, there were 23 main camps — most of which had satellite camps. Auschwitz was not only a main camp, it was a complex in Nazi-occupied Poland with over 40 concentration and extermination camps.
Which brings me to the reason I’m not even listing the one I already knew: At least 2 are just part of a larger complex.
The hope that I shared during the practice is that there will be a time and a place when we can all breathe more easily and deeply; free of stress and strain, anxiety and fear, discomfort and disease. That is my hope for the future. But, I have another hope, a hope for right now: I hope, in this moment, that you will be disturbed enough by the information above that you will look into the history — at the very least, check out the blog post below. Then, I hope that the history will disturb you enough that you will pay attention to what is happening in the world today.
“Distance yourself from a false matter; and do not kill a truly innocent person or one who has been declared innocent, for I will not vindicate a guilty person.
You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe will blind the clear sighted and corrupt words that are right.
And you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, since you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
— “ordinances” in Shemot / Exodus 23:7–9
CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
2024 / “For Those Who Missed It (& those who still don’t get it): Divine Remembrance”
There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices.
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 a new 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).
### PEACE IN, PEACE OUT ###
### AUM ###
A Note & EXCERPTS: “Creating: Music for This Date II” & “En L’Air” [the January part] (the “missing” Sunday post) January 26, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Abhyasa, Art, Books, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, First Nations, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, Music, One Hoop, Pain, Philosophy, Poetry, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 988, Alicia Keys, Bessie Coleman, Brave Bess, Connie Plantz, Delta Airlines Captain Stephanie Johnson, e e cummings, George James Firmage, Jamie Showkeir, January 26th, Mae Carol Jemison, Maren Showkeir, Margaret J. Wheatley, Queen Bess, Syreeta McFadden
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Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing Maha Kumbh Mela.
May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong! May you soar!
This “missing” post for Sunday, January 26th features excerpts from two (2) posts about people born on today’s date. In addition to a slight revision, links and some formatting have been added/updated. You can request an audio recording of this practice 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).
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Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes.
“One could interpret what has been written on these pages as self-help, pop psychology, a collection of great techniques to help people through difficult moments, or steps for getting better business results. In the author’s minds, there is something else that goes much deeper than that, and it is difficult to write about because it is so personal. It has to do with worthiness, purpose, humility, fear, anxiety, and facing the fact that it is up to you to create the world you want to live in, here and now, with the people in this room. It is about letting go of the wish that someone else will make it easier, pave the way, or take responsibility for you and your circumstances.”
— quoted from “Conclusion: Starting the Revolution” in Authentic Conversations: Moving from Manipulation to Truth and Commitment by Jamie Showkeir and Maren Showkeir (with forward by Margaret J. Wheatley)
Even though her birthday was yesterday, Alicia Keys (who was born January 25, 1981) shares many things with the people highlighted in the first excerpt below. In addition to having January birthdays, these are people known for being creative, for being uniquely themselves, and for inspiring others, moving people emotionally. Ms. Keys is also one of many people often quoted as saying that we all can (and must) play a part in creating the world in which we live. I mention her specifically, because one of the variations attributed to her instruct us to “Create the world you want, and fill it with the opportunities that matter to you.”
I would argue that some folks are very intentional and deliberate about creating those opportunities; some folks create those opportunities just by showing up in the world as themselves; and some people do both.
Creating: Music for This Date II
Click on the excerpt title below for the 2022 post about people born on January 26th (who inspired the playlist).
Creating: Music for This Date II (the “missing” Wednesday post)
“…the moment you feel, you’re nobody-but-yourself.
To be nobody-but-yourself — in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else — means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.”
— quoted from “A Poet’s Advice to Students” in A Miscellany by E. E. Cummings (revised edition edited by George James Firmage)
EN L’AIR (excerpted from a 2023 Black History note)
Born in today in 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman became the first African American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot license when she earned her license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale on June 15, 1921. Her African American and Cherokee heritage also made her the first Black person and the first Indigenous American to earn an international pilot’s license. The woman who became known as “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie” would eventually make her living as a stunt pilot. Before that, however, she worked as a laundrywoman in Waxahachie, Texas. She earned enough money, taking in laundry and picking cotton, to attend one semester at the Colored Agricultural and Normal University (now Langston University, the only Historically Black Colleges or Universities in Oklahoma). When she had to drop out of college, due to a lack of funds, she followed her brothers to Chicago, Illinois, where she trained at Burnham School of Beauty Cultures to be a manicurist at a barbershop. In fact, it was at the barbershop that she was truly motivated to be a pilot.
Since no American flight school would train her, Bessie Coleman used the money she earned as a manicurist to learn French and then travel to France to take flying lessons. Once trained, she became a barnstorming daredevil. She was often criticized for the risks she took — and she was no stranger to accidents and broken bones and bruises. But, her aerobatic stunts gave her a platform which she used to speak out against racism, to promote aviation, and to encourage people of color to pursue aviation as career (or a hobby). Like some other prominent entertainers, she put her money where her mouth was and refused to perform at events where African Americans were not permitted to attend.
“One day John Coleman strutted into the White Sox Barbershop and began teasing Bessie. He started comparing African-American women to French women he had seen during [World War I]. John said that African-American women could not measure up to French women. The French women had careers. They even flew airplanes. He doubted that African-American women could fly like the French women. Bessie waited for the barbershop customers to stop laughing. Then she replied, ‘That’s it. You just called it for me.’”
— quoted from “Chapter 3. Seeking Independence” in The Life of Bessie Coleman: First African-American Woman Pilot by Connie Plantz
Ultimately, being a principled daredevil while also facing racism cost her. At one point, she opened up a beauty salon in Chicago in order to earn extra money so that she could buy her own airplane. Sadly and tragically, the airplane she was able to purchase was poorly maintained. On April 30, 1926, in preparation for an air show in Jacksonville, Florida, the plane spiraled out of control killing Bessie Coleman and her mechanic and publicist, William D. Wills, who had been piloting the airplane.
Although Bessie Coleman’s was just barely 34 years old when she tragically died doing what she loved, her legacy still lives. There have been schools, scholarships, and at least one library named after her. The United States Postal service issued a commemorative stamp in her honor in 1995; a Google Doodle was posted on what would have been her 125th birthday; she has been inducted into numerous halls of fame; and Mattel issued a Barbie doll in her honor in 2023. There are streets and boulevards named after her in the United States and there are airport roads bearing her name all over the world.
Bessie Coleman’s legacy also lives on in the lives of the women she inspires and the people they inspire. For instance, in 1992, Mae Carol Jemison (born October 17, 1956) became the first Black woman to travel into space. At the time, the African American chemical engineer and M. D. was working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She was making history at the age of 35 (mere weeks before her 36th birthday) — and she was doing it while carrying a photo of the Brave/Queen Bessie.
There have been also been commemorative fly-overs in her honor and, in 2022, a commemorative American Airlines flight (from Dallas-Fort Worth to Phoenix) was fully staffed by African American women: from the cockpit and aisles all the way to the tarmac (cargo and maintenance crew) there were sisters of the skies.
“For communities who may not fly often, that outreach and activism from Black aerospace professionals and pilots can combat the unknown and can help show Black communities that being a pilot is a real possibility.
‘A parent comes up to me and she says, “You a pilot?” and I said, “Yes, ma’am.” And she said, “They let us be pilots?” And that really was something,’ says [Delta Airlines Captain Stephanie Johnson]. ‘The parents don’t know what the opportunities are, because they didn’t grow up with opportunities. And so it was even more important, that “OK, this has just got to be my life because I can open people’s eyes.”’”
— quoted from the AFAR article “Where Are All the Black Women Pilots? – Nearly a century after Bessie Coleman first took to the skies, Black women remain a rarity in the cockpit.” by Syreeta McFadden (February 20, 2020)
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE!
Sunday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “01262022 Creating: Music for This Date II”]
NOTES & CORRECTIONS
NOTE: The playlists are slightly different, because the YouTube playlists includes some additional videos “after the practice” of songs included in the practice portion of the playlist.
2025 REVISION: A slight change in timing/duration & tempo may affect how the playlists work with earlier practices.
2022 REVISION: I remixed the YouTube playlist after the 4:30 practice, because I had erroneously used the extended version of a song. Additionally, As I was closing my browser tabs, I realized that I overlooked a birthday (and I’m kicking myself for it)! I’ve updated the playlist so that the before/after music includes a track for Maria von Trapp, born January 26,1905, in Vienna, Austria.
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 a new 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).
A Joyful Practice 