May we all be safe and protected / May we all be peaceful and happy / May we all be healthy and strong.
“I had come to understand that yoga has never been about the stretch; it’s always been about the reach. And if I could use my reach to bring yoga’s healing powers to people everywhere and my influence to raise awareness and funds for social causes that alleviate suffering and separation, then I was all in.”
— quoted from Revolution of the Soul: Awaken to Love Through Raw Truth, Radical Healing, and Conscious Action by Seane Corn
Please join me today (Tuesday, Movember 21st) 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 (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra(at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Tuesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Movember 20th 2021”]
NOTE: The Spotify playlist has been updated to better match the YouTube playlist in list in length/duration.
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.
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.)
May we all be safe and protected / May we all be peaceful and happy.
“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate we can not consecrate we can not hallow, this ground The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”
— quoted from “The Gettysburg Address” (from the Nicolay version*) by President Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863
Please join me for a 65-minute virtual yoga practice on Zoom today (Sunday, November 19th) at 2:30 PM.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.
Sunday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “11192022 The Gettysburg Address”]
MUSIC NOTE: There are some slight differences in the playlist, mostly in the before/after practice music.
*NOTE: In the other four versions of the speech, the words “have consecrated it” are used.
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.)
“Happy Diwali!” to anyone celebrating! May we all be healthy, wealthy, and wise on World Kindness Day!
For Those Who Missed It: This is a revised (and slightly expanded) “missing” post related to Monday, November 13th. Some links have been updated and a date-related note has been added for 2023. You can request an audio recording of a related practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email me at 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 (and for holiday-related changes).
“Embrace me completely
just as a creeper completely embraces a tree
May you be the one loving me only, not another
may you not go away from me”
— Atharva Veda 6.8 (translated by Dr. R. L. Kashyap)
In India and Southeast Asia, Diwali (the 5-day festival of lights) is celebrated by a very diverse group of people. The diversity is not only religious and spiritual — as it is a tradition for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists. There are many other sociocultural differences. So, as you can imagine, there are lots of different ways that people tell the story of light overcoming darkness, good overcoming evil; life overcoming death, wisdom overcoming fear; love overcoming hate; hope overcoming despair, and knowledge overcoming ignorance.
For instance, in some rural parts of north, west, and central India, the fourth day of Diwali is a day when people observe Govardhan puja, an offering to honor the legend of Krishna saving the cowherds and farmers from the rain and floods by lifting Mount Govardhan. People build miniature-sized mountains out of cow dung and also “build” mountains of food and mountains of sweets. There is also thanksgiving, especially around the purchase of staples, like salt, which are considered essentials to life.
“with my mind I attract you
just as a bird on the ground beats its wings to go up
May you be the one loving me only, not another
may you not go away from me”
— Atharva Veda 6.8 (translated by Dr. R. L. Kashyap)
The main day of Diwali, yesterday, is often associated with the part of the epic poem the Rāmāyaņa when Rāma, his bride Sītā, and his brother Lakshmana returned home after 14 years in exile. According to the legend, their homecoming was met with brightly lit candles, lamps, and fireworks. The homecoming and the light festivities marked the end of the darkness that represented the jealousy which led to the trio’s exile and Sītā’s kidnapping during the exile, as well as the doubt and fear felt by some of the characters that appear throughout the poem. The lights symbolize the couples love, devotion, and faith in each other; Lakshmana and Hanuman’s devotion to Rāma; and their victory over those who tried to defeat them.
Ergo, for a good majority, this fourth day shines a light on love, relationships, and devotion — especially between husbands and wives. In some areas, husbands give their wives gifts and other areas parents treat their newlywed children to a feast (which also involves gifts).
In addition to telling those aforementioned parts of the Rāmāyaņa, people will also celebrate the story of the defeat of the evil King Bali. Sometimes the story is related to a husband and wife (Shiva and Pārvatī) playing a game of dice on a board with twelve squares and thirty pieces. Every element of the story is symbolic — including the fact that it is a “strip” version of the game, during which the husband ceremoniously looses all his clothes.
One of my favorite husband-wife Diwali stories is actually associated with the first day; but I also tell it on this day. It is the story of a clever wife who used light (and all the properties of light) to “defeat” Death (Yama, in the form of a snake) when he arrived on the fourth night of her marriage in order to take away her new husband, the prince. The legend always reminds me of Scheherazade, in that the wife in the Diwali story also spends the night telling stories and singing songs in order to extend life.
“I go around your mind just as the sun[light] goes around heaven and earth
May you be the one loving me only, not another
may you not go away from me”
— Atharva Veda 6.8 (translated by Dr. R. L. Kashyap)
2023 NOTE: The fourth day of Diwali (2023) coincided with World Kindness Day, which was established in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of non-government organizations (NGOs). In eastern philosophies, which encourage cultivating the opposites (YS 2.33 – 2.34), every emotion has an opposite (and a near peer). For example, the flip side of anger and frustration is loving-kindness. While there has been darkness in the world on this date in the past (e. g., the terrorist attacks in Paris November 13, 2015) and there is darkness in the world today, there was and is also light.
There was light in people standing together in solidarity and proclaiming “Je suis Charlie” and “Je suis Ahmed” at the beginning of 2015. And, there is light today when people who are perceived as being different from each other remember that we all human. That light is a little bit of metta in the world.
And, no, I’m not referring to a short version of a certain basketball player born today 1979. I’m referring to the reason he changed his name: the practice of lovingkindness.
There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices.
The 2022 Monday Night Special playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Diwali (Day 3-4) 2022”]
The World Kindness Day playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “11132021 The Power of Kindness to the nth Degree”]
The 2020 playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Diwali (Day 4) 2020”]
Many blessings to everyone, and especially to those observing All Saints y Día de (los) Muertos!
“‘It’s an occasion for us to intentionally activate our grief and transform it into something beautiful, vibrant and joyous through dance, music, feasting, telling stories, masquerading and celebration. By transforming grief in these ways, Day of the Dead becomes a deep form of healing. Día de los Muertos is also a lively and joyous occasion because it’s a reminder that we are alive,’ [Mathew Sandoval, associate teaching professor at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University] said.
— quoted from the ASU News article entitled, “ASU teaching professor brings Día de los Muertos to life through research, ritual” by Nicole Greason (dated October 31, 2023)
The following excerpt is from the 2022 updated version of a 2020 post:
“Today, November 1st, is the end of Samhain and the second day of Allhallowtide. It is known as All Hallows Day, meaning it is holy, or All Saints Day in Western Christianity and it is the beginning of Día de (los) Muertos for Mexicans and the Mexican diaspora. Traditionally today is a memorial day for saints and innocents, i.e. young children, and is a national holiday in some Christian countries. In the Methodist tradition, it is a solemn occasion of remembrance and thanksgiving observed by Christians who have a “fundamental belief that there is a prayerful spiritual bond between those in heaven (Christian triumphant) and the living (the Christian militant).” People will pray for blessings and protection; tend graves; leave flowers – like chrysanthemums in Belgium and France – and; in some country there is an exchange of traditional (and symbolic) treats. In Mexico and for the Mexican diaspora, however, Día de (los) Muertos is traditionally all of the above and a giant celebration full of brightly colored parades, music and dancing, candy skulls, marigolds, and ofrendas (“offerings”) or home or graveside alters curated around the life of a loved one.”
Please join me for a virtual yoga practice on Zoom, today (Wednesday, November 1st) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM. Use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “11012020 All Saints / Día de los”]
“Sandoval is open to others celebrating Día de los Muertos respectfully because he knows how meaningful the observance is.
‘This holiday is medicine. It really is a way to heal,’ he said. ‘If you ever had to deal with the loss of a loved one, you know that that is a significant loss and there aren’t neat and easy ways to heal from that loss. Because often it leaves a wound in the heart and in the soul that is quite jagged and takes a lot of time to heal from.
‘Day of the Dead is medicine in the sense that if you really honor it, if you make time to honor the person who’s passed, it is a way of healing.’”
— quoted from the Arizona Republic article entitled, “Dia de los Muertos: Why ‘“this holiday is medicine”’ and how you can celebrate respectfully” by Dina Kaur (posted on azcentral.com on October 31, 2023)
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.)
“Nine days and nine nights of blessings and happiness if you are celebrating Sharada Navaratri!” May everyone have peace and happiness. May everyone be healthy and strong; may everyone be peaceful and happy.
“somebody/anybody sing a black girl’s song bring her out to know herself to know you but sing her rhythms carin/struggle/hard times”
— The Lady in Brown with all the other Ladies from for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf by Ntozake Shange
Please join me for a virtual yoga practice on Zoom, today (Wednesday, October 18th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM. Use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify.
NOTE: The before/after music is slightly different on each platform as there are videos on YouTube and an extra song on Spotify.
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.
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 found god in myself and i loved her i loved her fiercely” (NS) ###
More peace and more ease for everyone on World Mental Health Day!
“World Mental Health Day 2023 is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right’ to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.
Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.
Good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods.”
— quoted from the 2023 World Mental Health Day message by the World Health Organization
Please join me today (Tuesday, October 10th) 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 (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra(at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Tuesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “10102021 World Mental Health Day (redux)”]
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.
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.)
“Chag sameach!” to those observing the Sukkot and Shmini Atzeret. Many blessings to everyone!!
This is the “missing” post for the First Friday Night Special on October 6th. It features some previously posted information (and some information that will be posted again). You can request an audio recording of either 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.
“Breath of breath, said the Teacher; [like the shadow of mist that passes], all is breath.*
What profit has man in all his toil that he toils under the sun?
A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth endures forever.
The sun rises and the sun sets, and to its place it yearns and rises there.
It goes to the south and goes to the north; the will goes around and around, and the will returns to its circuits.”
(*NOTE: The Hebrew word “hevel” (variations of which occur in K-E 1.2, 3 times in the singular and twice in the plural, for a total of 7 times) is often translated into English as “vanity,” “futility” or “meaningless,” but is literally translated as “breath.)
— Kohelet — Ecclesiastes (1:2 – 6)
If you are counting time according to the Gregorian calendar, then nothing happened today in 1582 — at least not in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and places like the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. These Papal-governed nations were the first to switch from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar (named for Pope Gregory XIII) and, therefore, skipped 10 days (October 5 — 14). The switch was primarily motivated by the Church’s desire to consistently observe Easter during the same season in which it had originally been celebrated — which would be the same season as Passover. Additionally, by the early third century, the Church had spread out to the degree that people were no longer able to rely on an annual announcement from the Pope to tell them when to celebrate.
Easter and Passover are moveable feasts on a secular calendar; so, it took some work to figure out how a new calendar would work. We will go a little deeper into the whys and the wherefores of the calendar change at a later date (or you can click here for an explanation), but take a moment to notice that in order for everything to sync up (and for things to happen in their appointed time), there had to be a handful of days when nothing happened (metaphorically speaking).
“Everything has an appointed season, and there is a time for every matter under the heaven.”
— Kohelet — Ecclesiastes (3:1)
Shabbat (the Sabbath) in the Jewish community starts at sunset every Friday night. It is a weekly time to “cease” and “desist.” For some people observing the “Festival (or Feast) of the Tabernacles (or Booths),” this particular Shabbat also marks the end of Sukkot — or the end of the 7th day and the beginning of the 8th day. Some people will celebrate this new day as Shmini Atzeret, “the Eighth [day] of Assembly,” and all of this will lead into yet another day of celebration, Simchat Torah.
For people who observed the High Holidays — and especially for those who started preparing 40 days before Rosh Hashanah — this has been (and continues to be) a busy season of remembering, reflecting, planning, doing, and change. Even though aspects of Sukkot highlight the importance of appreciating the simpler aspects of life, there is still a lot of doing (and giving thanks for future doing). One of the things people do is read Kohelet/Ecclesiastes, which highlights doing and also includes reminders to relax, to release attachments, and to rest.
These reminders to relax, release, and rest come at the same time that the seasons are changing and nature is reminding us (at least those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) to slow down and get settled. This is a time to get grounded and to restore — which is one of the things we need in order to keep going.
Remember, just like a motor vehicle, our mind-bodies have an accelerator and a brake. We have the sympathetic nervous system, that kicks in when we need to get going, and the parasympathetic nervous system, that engages when we need to pause, rest, and digest. We need to digest everything we consume — not just food and drink; we have to digest everything we experience (physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually). This resting and digesting process allows us to soak up and process what is useful and to eliminate what is waste, or not useful. It is essential to healing and to overall wellbeing. It is also associated with creation and is part of the process which allows us to be fueled by what we consume.
If we go and go and go, we “run out of gas.” We also run the risk of crashing. So, every now and again, we need “pitstops” in order to continue to be safe and productive. In fact, sometimes “a handful of [ease, tranquility, quietness, or rest*]” is more important than all the doing and all the planning to do more.
“And I saw all the toil and all the excellence of work, which is a man’s envy of his friend; this too is vanity and frustration.
The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
Better is a handful of ease than two handfuls of toil and frustration.”
— Kohelet — Ecclesiastes (4:4 – 6)
*NOTE: There are various English translations for “ נָ֑חַת ” (which I think literally translates as “landed”).
Friday’s playlist is available on YouTubeand Spotify. [Look for “12042020 Bedtime Yoga”]
NOTE: The playlists contain a different variety of musical selections and you will only need one track/album for the practice. With one exception, the tracks play without interruption. There are more options on the YouTube playlist (and that includes my preference), but there is a different Sigur Rós option on the Spotify playlist.
This Restorative Yoga practice is accessible and open to all.
Prop wise, a small ball (e.g., tennis ball, massage ball, etc.) will be useful. Additionally, this is a kitchen sink practice.You can practice without props or you can use “studio” and/or “householder” props. Example of “Studio” props: 1 – 2 blankets, 2 – 3 blocks, a bolster, a strap, and an eye pillow. Example 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.
Please join me for a virtual yoga practice on Zoom, today (Wednesday, October 4th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM. Use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Sukkot 2”]
*NOTE: These tips are not a stop-gap for someone in crisis.
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 (non-professional) support.
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.)
“Chag sameach!” to those observing the Sukkot. Many blessings to everyone!!
Please join me for a 65-minute virtual yoga practice on Zoom today (Sunday, October 1st) at 2:30 PM.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.
Sunday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Sukkot 2.8 for 10012023”].
Errata: The original post referenced a “story” that was not part of this practice.
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.)
“Chag sameach!” to those observing the Sukkot. Many blessings to everyone!!
“Every relationship you develop, from casual to intimate, helps you become more conscious. No union is without spiritual value.”
— quoted from “Morning Visual Meditation” (Chakra 2) by Caroline Myss
In 99.99% of my classes, I reference “master teachers and precious jewels.” These are the people who push our buttons and “get us hooked.” These are the people we might think of as pains in our necks (or bums) and with whom we associate our suffering. These are the people we wish would see things our way (and/or do things the quote-unquote right way). You know who I mean; the brick walls in our lives.
In her 2016 Tedx Talk about “The 5 People You Need to Be Happy” (cheerleader, mentor, coach, friend, and peer), Stacey Flowers identified this type of person as a “coach.” These are the people who give us master classes in our selves and teach us some of the most precious things about our selves and about the way we interact with the world. If we look back over our lives, there are undoubtedly people who taught us lessons for which we are now grateful — even though, at the time we were interacting with those people, we might have wished they were not in our lives.
Take a moment to express a little gratitude for those master teachers and precious jewels in your past, and for the things you learned because of them.
Now, fair warning, this part is a little more challenging: Give thanks for your future master teachers and precious jewels. Express gratitude for someone you haven’t yet encountered who will challenge you and, in the process, make you a better version of yourself.
For Those Who Missed It: The following was originally posted in 2020. Class details, one date reference, and the Stacey Flowers video have been updated and/or added. Also, please note that the post below is directly related to a 2020 sūtra-focused practice that is slightly different from today’s practice.
“And this too shall pass.”
— The old saying “Gam zeh ya’avor,“ in Hebrew (with Persian and Jewish origins)
“It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: ‘And this, too, shall pass away.’ How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! — how consoling in the depths of affliction!”
— Abraham Lincoln speaking to the Wisconsin State Agriculture Society at the Wisconsin State Fair, September 30, 1859
There’s an old saying in Hebrew, “Gam zeh ya’avor. This too shall pass,” that is often associated with a very wise Rabbi of old and also with King Solomon (although the words do not appear in the Bible) and has origins in Persian and Sufi poetry. American historians may hear the words and think of Abraham Lincoln speaking at the Wisconsin State Fair a year before he was elected president — although, he would end his speech with a bit of caveat, saying that he hoped the best things lasted. I think of my grandmother saying those words, a lot, but also of (what I was taught was) a Chinese parable.
In the parable, a farmer reacts to everything that happens to him (and around him) with the words, “We’ll see.” While others get excited for what they believe to be his good fortunate or agitated over what they perceive as unfortunate events, the farmer maintains a steady outlook and an understanding that all things are connected: every beginning is an ending and every ending is a beginning. As the parable progresses, the reader (and the farmer’s neighbors) start to recognize the wisdom in his attitude. Of course, in real life it is a little harder to let go of our desires and accept the present moment. Harder still is appreciating the present moment without judgment. The hardest thing, however, is to be open to appreciating whatever comes.
“Be joyful at your festival — you and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow who live within your city.
For seven days you must celebrate the Festival to YHVH*, your God, in the place which YHVH* shall choose, because the Lord, your God, will bless you in all your produce, and in all the work of your hands, and you will only be happy.”
(*NOTE: YHVH is commonly translated as “the Lord” in English.)
— quoted from Devarim — Deuteronomy (16:14 – 15)
Around this time in 2015, I was so excited about all the things happening for me. Personally, professionally, and even spiritually, I was riding a high. I would like to think that, in the moment, I truly appreciated everything and everyone around me. I especially would like to think that considering that one of the highlights of that week was co-leading my first weekend-long Sukkot retreat in Darwin, MN, with Sandra Razieli. Sukkot is sometimes referred to as “the Season of Happiness” and there is an extra focus on gratitude. The thing is when I look back, and keep in mind how things changed after that retreat; I realize I wasn’t practicing what I preached. Yes, I was appreciating people and things in the present moment — but I was also attached to how I wanted them to continue.
As is stated in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, there is a period of time — after the harvest — when people are commanded to celebrate. The curious thing is that the passage related to the “Festival of the Booths” or “Festival of the Tabernacles” does not instruct people to celebrate the harvest they just brought in from the fields. Instead, people are commanded to gather and celebrate what will be. So, in some ways, the holiday which the Jewish community began observing last night at sunset, is all about having faith that not only will things pass, but that how things change will be a blessing. “Gam zeu tovah,” is another Hebrew saying. It means, “This too is for the good.”
— “From purity/cleanliness arises sensitivity to the unclean nature of one’s own body and [physical] unmixing.”
Yoga Sūtra 2.41: sattvaśuddhisaumanasyaikāgreyendriyayātmadarśanayogyatvāni ca
— “[From purity/cleanliness arises] pure wisdom of the heart, cheerfulness of mind, the power of concentration, victory over the senses, and the ability to directly experience our Self.”
Normally, when Sukkot rolls around, I am super excited to talk about Yoga Sūtra 2.42 and the how the second niyamā (“internal observation”) connects to the practice of gratitude and the emotional experience of happiness. However, we are not there yet. There is a preliminary practice, which actually gives us two sūtras on which we will focus. Part of me, was like, “Oo, they are short and connected.” Another part of me remembered something we kept saying back in 2015:
“Don’t be greedy, be grateful.”
Please join me today (Saturday, September 30th) at 12:00 PM, for a 90-minute yoga practice on Zoom. 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.
Saturday’s playlist is available onYouTube [Look for “Sukkot 1+”] and Spotify [Look for “Sukkot 1”].
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.)
### Sunshine, the practice, friends (and family) ###
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A Joyful Practice 