Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Abhyasa, Art, Books, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Lent / Great Lent, Life, Music, New Year, One Hoop, Ramadan, Religion, Vairagya, Wisdom, Women, Writing, Yoga.
Tags: 988, Audre Lorde, Black History Month, Cheesefare Week, Lent, Lunar New Year, Ramaḍān, Ramadan, Season for Nonviolence, Self-forgiveness, Toni Morrison
“Happy New Year!” to those who are celebrating! “Ramadān Mubarak, Blessed Ramaḍān!” to anyone observing the holy month of Ramaḍān. Many blessings to all, and especially to those observing and/or celebrating Lent and/or Cheesefare Week (in preparation for Great Lent)!
Peace, ease, and self-forgiveness to all, throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!
“If my work is to be functional to the group (or to the village, as it were) then it must bear witness and identify danger as well as possible havens from danger; it must identify that which is useful from the past and that which ought to be discarded; it must make it possible to prepare for the present and live it out; and it must do that not by avoiding problems and contradictions but by examining them; it should not even attempt to solve social problems but it should certainly try to clarify them.”
— quoted from the essay “The Writer Before the Page” in “Part II God’s Language” of The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations by Toni Morrison (b. 1931)
Please join me today (Wednesday, February 18th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into in 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 “One Other One for Ash Wednesday, Day 2, & Ramadan 2026”]
*NOTE: The YouTube playlist includes an extra “relaxation” track that is not (yet) available on Spotify.
“The quality of light by which we scrutinize our lives has direct bearing upon the product which we live, and upon the changes which we hope to bring about through those lives. It is within this light that we form those ideas by which we pursue our magic and make it realized. This is poetry as illumination, for it is through poetry that we give name to those ideas which are, until the poem, nameless and formless-about to be birthed, but already felt. That distillation of experience from which true poetry springs births thought as dream births concept, as feeling births idea, as knowledge births (precedes) understanding.”
— quoted from the essay “Poetry is Not a Luxury” in Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde (b. 1934)
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not 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.
Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes.
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Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Art, Changing Perspectives, Healing Stories, Life, Mathematics, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Wisdom, Women, Yoga.
Tags: 988, Boris Pasternak, Charles Lenox Remond, David Bowie, Edith Clarke, Groundedness, James West, Jerry Goldsmith, Jim Whittaker, John Bayley, Lou Whittaker, Manya Harari, Max Hayward, Mike Szczys, Roberta Flack, Season for Nonviolence, Yoga Sutras 2.46-2.54, Ziggy Stardust
“Happy Carnival!” to those who are celebrating! Many blessings to everyone, everywhere!!
Peace, ease, contemplation, and groundedness throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!!!
This is the “missing” (and backdated) compilation post for Sunday, February 10th (with excerpts). In addition to the new content and excerpts, it includes some re-purposed 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.
“When you are grounded you are completely present, your mind is still, and you are totally focused. It is from this place of being grounded that you can operate most effectively….”
— quoted from the “Reflection” section of the “Day 12 ~ February 11 ~ Groundedness” page for the “Season for Nonviolence,” provided by the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace
While Patanjali said very little about asana (“seat” or pose) in the Yoga Sūtras, his initial instruction is literally (and figuratively) the beginning of every practice: “sthirasukham āsanam — cultivate a steady (or stable), easy (comfortable or joyful) seat (or pose).” (YS 2.46) There is a little bit more in the next few sūtras, which can help us deepen the experience, but everything else comes from that very first part: sthira — which is ultimately a sense of groundedness.
Being grounded allows us to relax, to release, to get a little bit more comfortable and breathe. Being grounded allows us to notice the different parts of your breath and to play with the breath. Being grounded allows us to move the body in certain ways; to notice how it feels to move and breathe; and, also to notice what we notice. We can extend and expand, contract and release, and even find our rhythm because we are supported, grounded.
There are different ways to be grounded and “groundedness”, the “Season for Nonviolence” principle for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, is just as important off the mat as it is on the mat. For instance, James Edward Maceo West (born 02/10/1931) had an accident at a very early age that illustrated the danger of working with energy when you are not grounded. The accident didn’t deter him and he grew up to develop technology that is still used to this day. In fact, the technology created by Dr. West was probably used in the recording of the music featured in the playlist (linked below), and definitely contributes to your ability to hear it.
“James’ approach to learning sounds very familiar: ‘If I had a screwdriver and a pair of pliers, anything that could be opened was in danger. I had this need to know what was inside.’”
— quoted from “James West Began 40 Years at Bell Labs with World-Changing Microphone Tech” by Mike Szczys (posted at hackaday.com on February 17, 2021)
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE ABOUT JAMES MACEO WEST.
The Space Between Need, Conceive, & Invention (a special Black History note)
“‘Wait, let me tell you what I think. I think that if the beast who sleeps in man could be held down by threats—any kind of threat, whether of jail or of retribution after death—then the highest emblem of humanity would be the lion tamer in the circus with his whip, not the prophet who sacrificed himself. But don’t you see, this is just the point—what has for centuries raised man above the beast is not the cudgel but an inward music: the irresistible power of unarmed truth, the powerful attraction of its example.’”
— Nikolai Nikolaievich, quoted in “Part One, Chapter 2 : A Girl from a Different World, section 10”, of Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak (translated from Russian by Max Hayward and Manya Harari) with Introduction by John Bayley
The February 10th playlist features music composed by Jerrald (“Jerry”) King Goldsmith (born 02/10/1929), as well as music song by Robert Flack (born 02/10/1937) and “Ziggy Stardust” (who made his earthly debut on 02.10/1972). Whether a musician is singing, playing an instrument, and/or conducting, they need to be grounded in order to fully engage (and control) their breath.
The playlist also includes a song that samples a poem by Boris Pasternak (born 02/10/1890, according to the Gregorian calendar) and music inspired by the mountain climbing twins Jim and Lou Whittaker (born on the exact same day as Jerry Goldsmith), who would rely on at least three parts of their body being grounded as they climbed to great heights. There is not (necessarily) a song inspired by Edith Clarke (born 02/10/1883), who spent some time working as a “computer” just like Dr. West’s mother; however, her ability to stay grounded and not be deterred by people who wanted to hold her back was very much an inspiration for this practice.
“‘There is no demand for women engineers, as such, as there are for women doctors; but there’s always a demand for anyone who can do a good piece of work.’”
— Edith Clarke quoted in a March 14, 1948 Daily Texan article
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE BORN ON FEBRUARY 10TH.
Songs for…Adventures (a host of “missing” Wednesday posts)
“I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style
And so I came to see him, to listen for a while”
— quoted from the song “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Roberta Flack
Tuesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “02102021 Songs for Today’s Adventure”]
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not 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).
*NOTE: Charles Lenox Remond delivered his history-making speech on February 10, 1842.
### LAM ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Life, One Hoop, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Suffering, Wisdom, Women, Writing, Yoga.
Tags: 988, Cambridge University, Carnival, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, faith, god, humanity, Lisa Depaulo, Lisa Perez Jackson, Martin Buber, Rachel Naomi Remen, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, Ronald Gregor Smith, Science, Season for Nonviolence, Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Walter Kaufmann, Zulu
“Happy Carnival!” to those who are celebrating! Many blessings to everyone, and especially those observing the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.
Peace, ease, contemplation, and a little faith throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!
This quick note with excerpts is the “missing” post for February 8th. Some of the quotations are remixed from earlier posts. You can request an audio recording for a related 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 believe about ourselves can hold us hostage. Over the years I have come to respect the power of people’s beliefs. The thing that has amazed me is that a belief is more than just an idea—it seems to shift the way in which we actually experience ourselves and our lives. According to Talmudic teaching, ‘We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.’ A belief is like a pair of sunglasses. When we wear a belief and look at life through it, it is difficult to convince ourselves that what we see is not what is real. With our sunglasses on, life looks green to us. Knowing what is real requires that we remember that we are wearing glasses, and take them off. One of the great moments in life is the moment we recognize we have them on in the first place. Freedom is very close to us then. It is a moment of great power. Sometimes because of our beliefs we may have never seen ourselves or life whole before.”
— quoted from “Healing at a Distance” in “III. Traps” of Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. (Forward by Dean Ornish, M. D.)
In talking about “dreaming” (Saturday’s principle of the day for the “Season for Nonviolence”), I actually referenced today’s principle several times: “Faith”. One could even argue — and there’s some science to back this up — that having faith is part of being human. However, before you get it twisted, remember that faith is not necessarily religious.
Faith is defined as “great trust or confidence in something or someone” — which means, you can have faith even if your belief is based on disbelief. No matter where we come from or how we were raised, we all believe in something (or someone). For some people it is science and/or Nature. For others it is community and/or God (whatever that means to at this moment). People can also have faith in themselves and in their own abilities. In fact, this year’s group Sankalpa (on Saturdays) begins with the words “I trust…” — in other words, it begins with faith.
“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)
The February 8th practice is usually inspired by people of faith who were born on this date.1 Martin Buber (who was born today in 1878, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary) was an Jewish, existential philosopher who did not consider himself a philosopher or a theologian; because, he said, he “was not interested in ideas, only personal experience, and could not discuss God, but only relationships with God”.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
Being Human, the prequel (the “missing” Wednesday post)
“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.
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (who was born today in 1831, in Christiana, Delaware) was the first African American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States — way back in 1864. Her focus on children and belief in healing very much dovetail with those of the pediatrician Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen (born today in 1938, in New York, New York), who is known for her emphasis on alternative medicine and integrative medicine.
Similarly, Lisa Perez Jackson (who was born today in 1962, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) has structured her life around her belief in science (specifically as it relates to the environment) and preparing children to be the leaders of the future.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
From the Earth (a special Black History 2.5-for-1 note)
“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
You may notice that the people I highlighted above2 did not grow up in the same place or within the same faith community; nor are their lives necessarily characterized by faith in the same things. However, it is notable that they all believe(d) in the power of human connection (i.e., relationships) and in human possibilities.
Take a moment to also notice that their beliefs led all of them to teach.
“The Hindus use the greeting ‘Namaste’ instead of our more noncommittal ‘Hello.’ The connotation of this is roughly, whatever your outer appearance, I see and greet the soul in you. There is a wisdom in such ways of relating. Sometimes we can best help other people by remembering that what we believe about them may be reflected back to them in our presence and may affect them in ways we do not fully understand.”
— quoted from “How We See One Another” in “VII. Live and Help Live” of Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. (Forward by Dean Ornish, M. D.)
Sunday’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 an 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:
1February 8th sometimes overlaps with religious and/or culture observations that are related to faith and, to a certain degree, to what it means to be human. While I will often incorporate stories related to these celebrations into the practice, I did not reference the fact that today (in 2026) was the Sunday of the Prodigal Son in some (Orthodox) Christian traditions. I will note here, however, that the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is a story about faith, specifically about one’s belief in repentance, forgiveness, family, home, and community.
2Although I quoted Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen today (and on Friday, when the principle was “healing”), I have not yet written a post about her. That said, I am officially putting her books on my reading list!
“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)
### As they say in Zulu, “Sawubona!” [“I see you!”] and “Yebo, sawubona!” [“I see you seeing me.”] ###
### I See Du ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Baha'i, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Life, Meditation, One Hoop, Pain, Philosophy, Science, Suffering, Vairagya, Wisdom, Women, Yoga.
Tags: 988, Baháʼí, brain, breathing, Charles E. Wheaton, cortical homunculus, Dominion, Florangela Davila, healing, Health, Inez Maxine Pitter Haynes, International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace, Maya Angelou, mental health, Mulk, nervous system, pranayama, primary somatosensory cortex, prāṇāyāma, Rachel Naomi Remen, Restorative Yoga, Season for Nonviolence, siddhis, somatosensory map, Sāmkhya Karika, Tantra Yoga, wellness, World Interfaith Harmony Week
Happy Carnival (to those who are already celebrating)! Peace, ease, and healing on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the penultimate day of World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!!!
May we all have a sense of dominion when it comes to our health.
This “missing” invitation for the “First Friday Night Special” on February 6th, includes a related excerpt. You can request an audio recording of this Hatha/Tantra-inspired Restorative Yoga practice (with a little movement) 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.
“Poet and activist Maya Angelou turned a traumatic childhood experience into a catalyst for creativity and achievement. Healing involves the process of seeing the potential that still exists despite all that has been lost. When we shift from suffering and anguish toward integrity, wholeness and inner peace, we are experiencing healing.”
— quoted from the “Reflection” section of the “Day 8 ~ February 6 ~ Healing” 2026 page for the “Season for Non-violence,” provided by the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace
Healing begins with people. While I often highlight healers like Inez Maxine Pitter Haynes (who was born today today in 1919), one of the siddhis (“powers”) described as “unique to being human” in the Sāmkhya Karika is the “the power to eliminate three-fold sorrow – physical, mental, and spiritual” — which means we are all healers. We can all participate (and have some dominion) in the healing process. Our mind-body systems include healing mechanisms, like our immune system, our lymphatic system, our digestive system, our parasympathetic nervous system, and our brain.
Yes, even our brain comes with healing technology!
For instance, did you know that when I say that “what happens in the body, happens in the mind and what happens in the mind happens in the body…” , I mean that literally, physiologically, and neurologically?
Every part of your body is “mapped” in your brain and each side of the brain’s primary somatosensory cortex has a representation of the opposite side of the body. This representation, known as the cortical homunculus (the “little man [or miniature human] of the brain”), is based on motor processing and sensory processing of the mind-body and is distorted, like a cartoon caricature that someone might draw of you at a fair. Just as (physically) touching a part of the body will activate a specific part of the brain’s somatosensory map, (mentally and mindfully) bringing awareness to a certain parts of the body — in a systematic way that corresponds with our “little man [or miniature human]” — can enhance our ability to relax the body. Research has also shown that certain meditation techniques can even use this brain technology to decrease pain.
Additionally, certain types of prāṇāyāma (awareness of breath, extension of breath) can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is related to our ability to “rest and digest [and be creative]”. Many people (all over the world) currently have overstimulated sympathetic nervous systems, which means we are consistently in “fight or flight or freeze/collapse” mode. This is like constantly putting the “pedal to the metal” and pressing the accelerator of a car all the way down to the floor — which is dangerous, on a lot of different levels, and not sustainable. In order to heal, we need to be able to put on the brakes, ease into stillness, and rest in order to process (i.e., digest) what we have experienced.
“Wounding and healing are not opposites. They’re part of the same thing. It is our wounds that enable us to be compassionate with the wounds of others. It is our limitations that make us kind to the limitations of other people. It is our loneliness that helps us to find other people or to even know they’re alone with an illness. I think I have served people perfectly with parts of myself I used to be ashamed of.”
— Rachel Naomi Remen (b. 2/8/1938) as quoted in At Your Service: Living the Lessons of Servant Leadership by Charles E. Wheaton
When it comes to healing, there are times that we just need the knowledge to know how things work. At other times, we also need assistance from caregivers and professional healers who are committed to the healing process — people like Maxine Pitter Haynes and Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen. Finally, there are times when we need to get together and share information — as people do annually on February 6th, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
This year’s theme, “Towards 2030: No End To FGM Without Sustained Commitment and Investment”, is a reminder and an opportunity to commit and invest in the healing process.
Click on the excerpt title below for more about Inez Maxine Pitter Haynes (b. 2/6/1919) and her sisters.
Salt of the Earth, the 2024 remix (the “missing” Tuesday post)
“‘I wasn’t soured by what happened to me,’ she was quoted in a June 1994 article in Columns, the UW alumni magazine. ‘I talk to people all the time about my experiences, and tell them they can’t be bitter. You have to pass over it, and go on…. It isn’t productive to hold on to it.’”
— quoted from The Seattle Times (March 26, 2004) obituary “Maxine Haynes, longtime educator and nurse in area” by Florangela Davila
This Hatha/Tantra-inspired Restorative Yoga practice (with some movement) is accessible and open to all. (It is also a sequence intended to prepare you for bed!)
(NOTE: There will be a little bit of quiet space in this practice.)
Friday’s playlist is also available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12042020 Bedtime Yoga”]
NOTE: The playlist is slightly different on each platform. You can start with almost any track (and extra tracks have been added for 2026).
Prop wise, I suggest using a chair, sofa, or coffee table towards the end of this practice and 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 will also be handy.
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not 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).
### Sitting, Breathing, Healing ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Art, Changing Perspectives, Faith, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Hope, Karma, Life, Movies, Music, Mysticism, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Suffering, Wisdom, Women, Yoga.
Tags: 988, Bill Murray, Black History Month, Candelmas, Caring, Carnival, change, Groundhog Day, Harold Ramis, holidays, Margaret Fuhrer, Punxsutawney Phil, Raven Wilkinson, Richard Henzel, Season for Nonviolence, trees, Tu BiShvat
“Happy Carnival!” and “Happy Birthday to the Trees!” to those who are celebrating! Many blessings to everyone, and especially to anyone celebrating Candlemas.
Peace, ease, contemplation, appreciation, and caring throughout this “Season for Nonviolence” and all other seasons!!!
For Those Who Missed It: This short post-practice post for Monday, February 2nd (with excerpts) is the abridged (and slightly revised) version of a 2025 post. It includes an extra excerpt related to the “Season for Nonviolence”. The 2026 prompt question was, “If you only had one day (not your last day, but just one day) what would you do?” 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.
“Well, it’s Groundhog Day… again.”
— Bill Murray as “Phil Connors” in the movie Groundhog Day
February 2nd is always Groundhog Day. For people using the Gregorian Calendar, it is also, always, Candlemas, the second day of Black History Month (for some people in the United States), and part of the “Season for Nonviolence”. However, since people use different calendars for religious and cultural holidays and observations, this day sometimes overlaps a whole lot of other ancient rituals and traditions — and even a couple of modern ones. For instance, in 2026, today is also part of Carnival and Tu BiShvat the New Year for Trees (on the Hebrew calendar).
In 2026, the “Season for Nonviolence” principle for today is “Caring”. While an underlying element of this practice is always about how we take care of ourselves, it is coupled with the understanding that we must take care of ourselves in order to take care of others. Today, there is also an awareness that we must care (about ourselves and others) if we want to make any beneficial changes in the world.
FTWMI: AN INVITATION TO SHINE
“It’s always Feb 2nd — there’s nothing I can do about it.”
— Bill Murray as “Phil Connors” in the movie Groundhog Day
Have you ever had one of those moments, like Phil Connors had in the movie Groundhog Day, where you woke up and every day seemed (or actually was) the same? Or, maybe, like Raven Wilkinson (who was born today in 1935), you see things in the world that you want to be different… even though it seems like those things have been the same for so long that they are unchangeable.
I think it is very easy to look at the world and see things we would like changed. I also think we have all had days where nothing we do seems to make a difference. Yet, the reality is that everything we do changes something.
Being alive is like a dance between our body, our mind, our spirit, and the world. Everything is shifting, changing. Everything is balance and counterbalance, inhale and exhale, enter and leaving, rising and falling. Sometimes we lead. Sometimes we follow. Sometimes we are watching from the side, resting, or waiting for our turn to lead or follow. Start to notice that dance and your start to notice change and how you engage it. You also start to notice when you are stuck… and the choices you make when you are stuck.
Do you get frustrated and stay stuck?
Do you “accept the things [you] cannot change”… and stay stuck?
Or, do you “change the things [you] can”… with appreciation/gratitude?
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE SOME HISTORY ABOUT GROUNDHOG DAY.
FTWMI: “Okay, campers, rise and shine!” (the “missing” post for February 2nd)
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT BELOW FOR A PROFILE ABOUT RAVEN WILKINSON.
Bird on Fire (a special Black History note)
Whether we realize it or not, everything we do changes something about us. It changes our perspective. Maybe the change is a reinforcement of what we already believe. Sometimes, however, we see ourselves and the world in a new way, a special way. That new insight can lead us to interact with people in a different way — and that can change their perspectives. The first part happened to Phil Connors in the movie. Both parts happened to Raven Wilkinson and, therefore, to ballet dancers and ballet fans.
That’s the way life goes. We just have to rise and shine.
“Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties cause it’s cooooold out there today.”
— Richard Henzel as “DJ #1” in the movie Groundhog Day
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR ANOTHER POST ON CARING FOR OURSELVES (with a video)!
Take Care (the post-practice Monday post)
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 an 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).
“During that same meeting, I also told Mr. Denham that I didn’t want to put the company in danger, but I also never wanted to deny what I was. If someone questioned me directly, I couldn’t say, ‘No, I’m not black.’ Some of the other dancers suggested that I say I was Spanish. But that’s like telling the world there’s something wrong with what you are.”
— Raven Wilkinson quoted from the Pointe Magazine interview ” Raven Wilkinson’s Extraordinary Life: An Exclusive Interview” by Margaret Fuhrer (dated June 1, 2014)
### I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF!! ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Advent, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, Meditation, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Suffering, Wisdom, Women, Yoga.
Tags: 988, Advent, Bhagavad Gita, Feast Day of Saint Lucia, Feast of Saint Lucia, Jack Hawley, light, Nativity Fast, novena, Saint Lucia, Saint Lucy, Saint Lucy's Day, Saint Philip's Fast, Yoga Sutra 1.36, Yoga Sutra 2.44
Many blessings to all and especially those observing the Feast Day of Saint Lucia, Advent, the Nativity / Saint Philip’s Fast, and/or just living in this month of Questions.
May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong!
“‘Remember, dear friend, that I am subtly inherent in everything, everything in the universe! I am the all-illuminating light of the sun, the light in the moon, the brilliance in the fire – all light is Mine. I am even the consciousness of light, and indeed, I am the consciousness of the entire cosmos.’”
— Krishna, speaking to Arjuna (15:12) of The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners by Jack Hawley
Today is the Feast Day of Saint Lucia (also known as Saint Lucy’s Day) in Western Christian traditions. Since different traditions around the world use different calendars, other light festivals are sometimes also celebrated on December 13th — which I joked gave us double (or triple) the light. But, that isn’t actually how this works.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
(Note: The blog post excerpted below is year-specific.)
Light in the Darkness (a Monday post practice post)
“O St Lucy, preserve the light of my eyes so that I may see the beauties of creation, the glow of the sun, the colour of the flowers and the smile of children.
Preserve also the eyes of my soul, the faith, through which I can know my God, understand His teachings, recognize His love for me and never miss the road that leads me to where you, St Lucy, can be found in the company of the angels and saints.”
— quoted from A Novena Prayer to St Lucy, Protector of the Eyes
Please join me for a virtual yoga practice on Zoom, today (Saturday, December 13th) at 12:00 PM. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email me at myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Saturday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12132022 Lucy’s Light”]
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not 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.
Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes.
### LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE! ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Changing Perspectives, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, Meditation, Music, One Hoop, Peace, Philosophy, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Women, Yin Yoga, Yoga.
Tags: 13th Amendment, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, 1989 Montreal Massacre, 988, Abraham Lincoln, Advent, Government of Canada, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Nativity Fast, St. Philip's Fast, State of the Union, White Ribbon Day
Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone appreciating kindness, friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, gratitude, and wisdom during Advent; during the Nativity/Saint Philip’s Fast; and on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women / “White Ribbon Day” (in Canada), one of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”.
NOTE: This post references a violent act, but does not go into explicit details.
May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong!
“At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States passed the Senate, but failed for lack of the requisite two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives. Although the present is the same Congress and nearly the same members, and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood in opposition, I venture to recommend the reconsideration and passage of the measure at the present session. Of course the abstract question is not changed; but an intervening election shows almost certainly that the next Congress will pass the measure if this does not. Hence there is only a question of time as to when the proposed amendment will go to the States for their action. And as it is to so go at all events, may we not agree that the sooner the better?”
— quoted from State of the Union 1864, delivered to the United States Congress by President Abraham Lincoln (on 12/6/1864)
Yoga means union and, every time we step on the mat, we have the opportunity to check in with the state of that union. In the United States, we typically think of Presidents giving a State of the Union address towards the beginning of their term and towards the beginning of the year. However, on December 6, 1864, then-President Abraham Lincoln gave a State of the Union address in which he urged Congress and the States to take action “the sooner the better” on an amendment to abolish slavery. He proceeded to very actively, more actively than had previously been witnessed in other presidencies, work towards securing the votes needed to pass and ratify what would become the 13th Amendment — which was, in fact, ratified exactly one year later, on December 6, 1865.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
FTWMI: When Do You Feel Free?
In addition to those U. S. anniversaries (which are related to efforts to end a violent period of history), December 6th is one of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”. It is also the anniversary of mass gender-based violence that occurred in Canada. Fourteen women were murdered, while an additional ten women and four men were injured by someone who said he was against feminism. In the aftermath of the 1989 Montreal Massacre, many people took stock of the state of Canada’s union. While some say that the media (in particular) arrived at the wrong conclusions, Canada recognizes this day as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women / “White Ribbon Day”.
“The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. Achieving a Canada free from gender-based violence requires everyone living in this country to educate themselves and their families and communities on gender-based violence, centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours.”
— quoted from the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women statement by the Government of Canada
Please join me for a virtual yoga practice on Zoom, today (Saturday, December 6th) at 12:00 PM. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email me at myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Saturday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12062022 Freedom, XIII”]
NOTE: This is a remix based on the 4th of July and Juneteenth playlists. The playlists are slightly different, but mostly with regard to the before/after class music. The biggest difference is that the videos posted on the blog on July 4th do not appear on Spotify.
An instrumental playlist is also available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12062024 Reflect, Remember, & Act for a Peaceful Union”]
NOTE: Start with track 1 or 6. Either option leads to a variation of a song that some view as liberating.
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not 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.
Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes.
### FIND YOUR PEACEFUL SEAT ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Changing Perspectives, Healing Stories, Hope, One Hoop, Pain, Philosophy, Suffering, Super Heroes, Tragedy, Women, Yoga.
Tags: #NoExcuse, #OrangetheWorld, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, Antonia María Teresa Mirabal Reyes (known as María Teresa), Bélgica “Dedé” Adela Mirabal Reyes, Caroline Myss, girls, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, International Human Rights Day, María Argentina Minerva Mirabal Reyes (known as Minerva), Mirabal Sisters Foundation, obstetric, Patria Mercedes Mirabal Reyes, Roses Revolution Day, Rufino de la Cruz, UNESCO, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, United Nations General Assembly, WHO, Women, World Health Organization
Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone developing kindness, friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, and wisdom on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women & Roses Revolution Day.
May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong!
This compilation post contains new, updated content mixed with content from 2020 & 2024. WARNING: There are no explicit details in this post, but there are references that may trigger trauma.
“Quedé viva para contarles la historia.” [“I stayed alive to tell the story.”]
— Dedé Mirabal, author of Vivas en su Jardín
“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging data and reports from those on the front lines, have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified.
This is the Shadow Pandemic growing amidst the COVID-19 crisis and we need a global collective effort to stop it. As COVID-19 cases continue to strain health services, essential services, such as domestic violence shelters and helplines, have reached capacity. More needs to be done to prioritize addressing violence against women in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.”
— quoted from the United Nations website for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (2020 #OrangetheWorld)
There’s nothing pretty about violence — and statistics about violence against women are particularly ugly. 1 in 3 women, worldwide experience physical or sexual violence. That works out to about 736 million women around the world experiencing physical and/or sexual violence. Prior to 2020, about 243 million women and girls (ages 15 – 49) reported experiencing sexual and/or physical abuse by an intimate partner within a 12-month period. That number went up during the COVID-19 pandemic and, in some countries, hotline and emergency calls regarding domestic abuse increased to 5 times the average numbers.
Globally, cases of gender-based violence have also gone up because of widespread use of the internet and social media — with 16% to 58% of women (especially for Generation Z and Millennial women) experiencing technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Gender-based violence has also escalated in recent years because of various geopolitical conflicts and wars. In fact, 70% of women in conflict, war, and humanitarian crisis, experience gender-based violence. In 2023, at least 51,100 women who experienced gender-based violence were murdered by partners and/or family members. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) considers violence against women and girls (VAWG) a human rights violation — in fact, they consider it “one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human violations in our world today.”
“For the purposes of this Declaration, the term ‘violence against women’ means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
— “Article 1” of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, issued by the United Nations General Assembly, December 20, 1993
To combat this violence (and the accompanying stigma) that can manifest physically, sexually, and psychological — and that happens to people around the world regardless of education, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, age, health, or nationality — UNESCO designated November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In 2011, extra significance was added to this date when people also started observing Roses Revolution Day, which brings awareness to the international movement against obstetric violence (i.e., abuse during childbirth). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Every woman has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to dignified, respectful health care… [but] many women experience disrespectful and abusive treatment during childbirth in facilities worldwide. Such treatment not only violates the rights of women to respectful care, but can also threaten their rights to life, health, bodily integrity, and freedom from discrimination.”
The 2020 theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” and focused on “amplifying the call for global action to bridge funding gaps, ensure essential services for survivors of violence during the pandemic, [prevention measures,] and collection of data that can improve life-saving services for women and girls.”
The 2024 theme was “Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women” and highlights the fact that “a woman was killed every 10 minutes [in 2023].” (See statistics above.)
The 2025 theme is “Open the Door”, which is a call to action for people to “Take a stand. End Violence.” The door in this theme is literal and symbolic. It is reminder that anyone can be an ally and everyone can pay attention to the pain and suffering hidden behind closed doors. It is an invitation to open the door’s of heart and express a little empathy. We can all support survivors — Believe survivors! — and advocate for changes in how our governments (and first responders) interact with survivors. Today’s observation kicks off “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” which culminates with International Human Rights Day on December 10th.
“We cannot allow our children to grow up in this corrupt and tyrannical regime. We have to fight against it, and I am willing to give up everything, even my life if necessary.”
— Patria Mirabal Reyes
When UNESCO started observing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in 1999, November 25th wasn’t randomly selected because it was 16 days before International Human Rights Day. Today was specifically selected to honor the lives and legacy of the Mirabal sisters (Las Hermanas Mirabal), three of whom were assassinated today in 1960.
Patria Mercedes Mirabal Reyes, Bélgica “Dedé” Adela Mirabal Reyes, María Argentina Minerva Mirabal Reyes (known as Minerva), and Antonia María Teresa Mirabal Reyes (known as María Teresa) were married, Catholic-educated young mothers who had been raised in a middle-class household in the Dominican Republic. Three of the sisters (Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa) were also college educated professionals who actively and publicly opposed the dictator Rafael Trujillo (known as El Jefe), who’s fascist regime lasted 31 years.
“Perhaps what we have most near is death, but that idea does not frighten me. We shall continue to fight for that which is just.”
— María Teresa Mirabel Reyes
The sisters became known as Las Mariposas (“The Butterflies”) and they (and their husbands) were often harassed and even incarcerated because of their activism. There were many activists who spoke out against the dictator before the sisters — including organizers of the “Movement of the Fourteenth of June” and the sisters’ own uncle. But, part of the reason the sisters (and their husbands) may have been targeted was because Minerva had turned down Trujillo’s sexual advances when she was in her early 20’s.
International attention on their plight may have saved Minerva and María Teresa from being tortured during their last incarceration — and definitely led to them being released. Their high profile, however, did not secure the release of their husbands. It also did not save them. As they returned from a visit to the prison where two of their husbands were being held, Patria, Minerva, María Teresa, and their driver Rufino de la Cruz were stopped by people associated with Trujillo’s regime (including members of his secret police force). There was an attempt to make their murders look like a car accident, but evidence to the contrary was very obvious.
Dedé, the surviving sister lived to the age of 88. She was also the only one of the sisters who did not go to college and the only one who did not publicly participate in the resistance. She was a “traditional” homemaker who also took care of the family business. After her sisters were murdered, she continued to take care of their children and started the Mirabal Sisters Foundation. She also turned the last home they lived in together into a museum and wrote a book, Vivas en su Jardín, as she saw that her legacy was to preserve herstory.
“If they kill me, I’ll reach my arms out from the tomb and I’ll be stronger.”
— Minerva Mirabel Reyes
If you see roses in front of a delivery room or hospital, over the next few days, they may have been placed there by someone who suffered varying forms of physical or psychological violence — or they may have been placed there by someone whose family member died as a result of obstetric violence. If you see a building or landmark being “oranged” in the next few days, it is a reminder of the campaign against gender-based violence and a reminder of the importance of everyone coming together to promote a violence-free world. Curious about why the color for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is orange, I thought maybe it would be tied to the symbol of the butterfly; however, I could only find a UNESCO site that says “The color orange symbolizes a bright future, free of violence. It also serves as a means of demonstrating your solidarity in eliminating all forms of violence and…. As a show of solidarity, the UNESCO globe will be illuminated orange.”
Of course, the reason I was curious about the color choice is because in yoga and Áyurveda, as they come to us from India, orange is associated with the second chakra — which is the energetic center of our relationships. From the yoga perspective, our mind-bodies are a microcosm representing the macrocosm that is the world. So, from the yoga perspective, physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual healing begins on the inside and if we want to truly “orange” the world, we must find a way to physically, emotionally, and energetically honor a sacred truth.
“Sacred Truth: Honor one another. Every relationship you develop, from casual to intimate, helps you become more conscious. No union is without spiritual value.”
— from “Morning Visual Meditation” by Caroline Myss
Please join me today (Tuesday, November 25th) 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 in 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 “Mother’s Day 2020”]
NOTE: The YouTube playlist includes an extra video that is not available on Spotify. The Spotify playlist has an extra song track that does not affect the practice timings.
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not 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).
“Article 2
Violence against women shall be understood to encompass, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation;
(b) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;
(c) Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.
Article 3
Women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. These rights include, inter alia:
(a) The right to life;
(b) The right to equality;
(c) The right to liberty and security of person;
(d) The right to equal protection under the law;
(e) The right to be free from all forms of discrimination;
(f) The right to the highest standard attainable of physical and mental health;
(g) The right to just and favourable conditions of work;
(h) The right not to be subjected to torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
— quoted from the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, issued by the United Nations General Assembly, December 20, 1993
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.
NOTE: In anticipation of the holiday(s), I have cancelled classes on November 26th – December 3rd.
Don’t forget to be grateful.
11/25/2025 Updated with music/playlist note.
### HONOR HUMAN RIGHTS ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Hope, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Wisdom, Women, Writing, Yoga.
Tags: 988, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, feminism, Harriot Stanton Blatch, history, Ida B. Wells, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Oxford Languages, Suffragists, Susan Ware, Theodore Stanton, womens-rights, Yoga Sutra 3.17, Yoga Sutra 3.35
Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone expressing friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, and wisdom.
Stay safe! Hydrate and nourish your heart, body, and mind. BREATHE!
This (short) “missing” compilation post, for Wednesday, November 12th, features previously posted content with a little something extra at the end (i.e., the coda). My apologies for not posting the music before the practices. 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.
SUFFRAGE, noun [Latin, French > Late Middle English] — the right to vote in political elections.
“late Middle English (in the sense ‘“intercessory prayers”’, also ‘“assistance”’): from Latin suffragium, reinforced by French suffrage. The modern sense of ‘“right to vote”’ was originally US (dating from the late 18th century).”
— quoted from Oxford Languages
Who do you imagine when you imagine a suffragist? What do they look like to you? Who immediately comes up in your mind?
While the word “suffragist” literally means “a person advocating that the right to vote be extended to more people”, many people automatically associate the idea with the women’s suffrage movement. Odds are that, even though men can be — and, historically, have been — suffragists, the person you envisioned was a woman.
Normally (as noted in the excerpt below), this is where I start a practice on November 12th — with the question, “What is a woman”? Today, however, I want to jump forward (and back) to the question of how you imagine a suffragist. Because, while there were American suffragists — even in leadership roles — who looked like me and were interested in ensuring the suffrage (and citizenship) of people of various identities, the person you envisioned probably looked like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was born today in 1815, in Johnstown, New York.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.
Having A Say, redux (the “missing” post)
“If I were to draw up a set of rules for the guidance of reformers, such as Franklin and other celebrities tell us they did for their own use, I should put at the head of the list: Do all you can, no matter what, to get people to think on your reform, and then, if your reform is good, it will come about in due season.”
— quoted from a diary entry dated “Cleveland, August 20 [1888]” by Elizabeth Cady Stanton (as published in Elizabeth Cady Stanton As Revealed in Her Letterz, Diary and Reminiscences, Edited by Theodore Stanton and Harriot Stanton Blatch, Volume Two])
𝄌
“When a white member of the delegation said in ignorance, ‘If I were a colored woman, I should be willing to march with the other women of my race,’ it provoked a pointed response from [Ida B.] Wells-Barnett. ‘There is a difference… which you probably do not see. I shall not march with the colored women. Either I go with you or not at all. I am not taking this stand because I personally wish for recognition. I am doing it for the future benefit of my whole race.’
— quoted from the American Heritage (September 2020, Volume 65, Issue 5) essay, “Ida B. Wells Marches for Justice: The ex-slave and investigative journalist spent a lifetime fighting against lynching and segregation — but also for voting rights for African-American women.” by Susan Ware [adapted from Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote (Harvard University Press) by Susan Ware]
Just as Elizabeth Cady Stanton referenced in her diary, the suffragists did “draw up a set of rules for the guidance of reformers….” Unfortunately, they did so in a very similar manner as the “celebrities” she mentioned: they advocated for “all women” while simultaneously leaving people out. Some of those people, were part of the movement. Some were even in leadership positions.
African-American suffragists like Mary Ann Shadd Cary (b. 10/09/1823), Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (b. 09/24/1825), Ida B. Wells (b. 07/16/1862), Mary Church Terrell (09/23/1863), and Nannie Helen Burroughs (b. 05/02/1879); as well as Native suffragists like Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin (b. 12/14/1863), Mexican-American suffragists like Nina Otero-Warren (b. 10/23/1881), and Chinese-American suffragists like Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee (b. 10/07/1896) had to battle racism, as well as misogyny — inside and outside of the movement. To add insult to injury, they were not able to vote when the 19th Amendment was ratified and adopted. In fact, the American suffragists movement as it directly affected women of color, continued well into the 20th century, when it was advanced by people like Viola Jackson (b. ~1915), Debra Barnes Wilson, Juanita Craft (b. 02/09/1902), Amelia Boynton Robinson (b. 08/18/1905), Rosa Parks (b. 02/04/1913), Marie Foster (10/24/1913), Fannie Lou Hamer (b. 10/06/1917), and Viola Liuzzo (b. 04/11/1925) — whose race and ethnicity allowed her to vote in the 1960s. Even minors1 — like Julia Barnes, Rachel West Nelson and Sheyann Webb-Christburg — attended meetings and participated in marches during the Civil Rights Movement.
Grace Trout seemed swayed by these sentiments, and she agreed to take the matter up again with the national leaders, but to no avail. Although Trout personally disagreed, she said she would abide by their wishes. Wells-Barnett would have none of it. ‘When I was asked to come down here, I was asked to march with the other women of our state, and I intend to do so or not take part in the parade at all.’”
— quoted from the American Heritage (September 2020, Volume 65, Issue 5) essay, “Ida B. Wells Marches for Justice: The ex-slave and investigative journalist spent a lifetime fighting against lynching and segregation — but also for voting rights for African-American women.” by Susan Ware [adapted from Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote (Harvard University Press) by Susan Ware]
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “11122025 Having A Say, redux III”]
NOTE: Since some Spotify tracks are shorter (than the YouTube videos), I have add (silent) filler tracks. YouTube features several extra videos that are not available on Spotify. Some are speeches worth hearing. Some are music videos worth seeing. To make up the difference, the Spotify playlist has its own Easter egg.
“We come now to the rescue…. Will you as a pastor and friend of missions help by not hindering these women when they come among you to speak and to enlist the women of your church?”
— quoted from the speech “How the Sisters Are Hindered from Helping” by Nannie Helen Burroughs (delivered at the National Baptist Convention, in Richmond, Virginia, on September 13, 1900)
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not 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).
NOTE: 1Julia Barnes was eight years old (and with her maternal grandmother), while Rachel West Nelson and Sheyann Webb-Christburg were both nine years old, during the “Sunday Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. Ms. Nelson and Ms. Christburg became involved in the Civil Rights Movement after meeting Martin Luther King, Jr. During the attack on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Ms. Christburg was carried to safety by Reverend Hosea Williams (one of the march leaders).
### Your Perspective Matters ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Depression, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Life, Loss, Love, Men, Music, One Hoop, Pain, Philosophy, Poetry, Suffering, Tragedy, TV, Wisdom, Women, Writing, Yoga.
Tags: Brújula Intersexual (Intersex Compass), Dylan Thomas, intersex, Laura Inter, literature, Nyanasatta Thera, poem, Poetry, pranayama, Ronald Reagan, Satipattthana Sutta, Sylvia Plath, Writing
Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone cultivating friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, and wisdom.
May everyone be healthy and strong; may everyone be peaceful and happy; and may everyone recognize their whole self.
For Those Who Missed It: The following was originally posted on October 27, 2024. One embedded link and a quote have been updated/added. The 2025 prompt question was, “What is giving you hope (even if it’s just a little bit of hope)?” 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.
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light”
— quoted from the poem “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas (b. 1914)
There are a lot of noteworthy things related to this date in history — including the fact that Laura Inter founded Brújula Intersexual (Intersex Compass), “a Mexican organization that works with intersex people, activists, and communities in Mexico, Latin America, and Spain”, today in 2013. All of the things, even the ones not mentioned in the practice and/or the excerpt below, are related to how we live our lives (i.e., how we spend our time) and how we interact with each other during the limited time that we have together.
The hope is that we can respect each other, be kind, and hold space for what each of us experiences on any given day.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELORE FOR MORE.
Fourth Step: Once More, With Feeling
“I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart: I am, I am, I am.”
or
“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart: I am, I am, I am.”
— quoted from two different editions of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (b. 1932)
There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices.
NOTE: Over the last few years, we have used four (4) different playlists on this date. The playlist we used in 2024 is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “10272021 Another Appointment”]
“You and I are told increasingly we have to choose between a left or right. Well I’d like to suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There’s only an up or down: [up] man’s old – old-aged dream, the ultimate in individual freedom consistent with law and order, or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. And regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would trade our freedom for security have embarked on this downward course.”
— quoted from the 1964 “A Time for Choosing” speech by Ronald Reagan
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not 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).
“And further, monks, as if a monk sees a body dead…, he then applies this perception to his own body thus: ‘Verily, also my own body is of the same nature; such it will become and will not escape it.’
Thus he lives contemplating the body in the body internally, or he lives contemplating the body in the body externally, or he lives contemplating the body in the body internally and externally. He lives contemplating origination-factors in the body, or he lives contemplating dissolution factors in the body, or he lives contemplating origination-and-dissolution-factors in the body. Or his mindfulness is established with the thought: ‘The body exists,’ to the extent necessary just for knowledge and mindfulness, and he lives detached, and clings to nothing in the world. Thus also, monks, a monk lives contemplating the body in the body.”
— quoted from Satipatthana Sutta (The Foundations of Mindfulness) translated by Nyanasatta Thera
### CONTINUE TO BREATHE ###
A Joyful Practice 