A Joyful Practice

Seekers & ForSeekers 2025 (mostly the music & blessings) August 27, 2025

Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone observing the Dormition (Theotokos) Fast and the Forefeast of the Dormition; and/or seeking friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, and wisdom — especially when it gets hot (inside and outside).

Stay safe! Hydrate and nourish your heart, body, and mind.

“…we can receive healing and direction from meditation itself.

You don’t have to adopt an Eastern religion. You just need to set aside 15 minutes a day to be still. Keep a little notebook near you to record your experiences. You are going to find there is something in those notes that you require in your life, your family, your work, on your spiritual path. Just as it is fire’s nature to burn, it is meditation’s nature to heal, to bring peace and uplift you beyond your worldly environment and transport you to a higher plane.”

— Alice Coltrane / Swamini Turiyasangitananda (b. 08/27/1937), answering a question about how people not living in the ashram can find peace, quoted from the Essence article “A Love Supreme With Alice Coltrane” by Susan L. Taylor

Please join me today (Wednesday, August 27^th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra   (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.

Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “08272022 ForSeekers”]

Playlist Note: My heart goes out to everyone directly and indirectly affected by today’s tragic events. If you are not feeling the mostly jazz playlist (above) you can check out this instrumental (during the practice) playlist which is also available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “09032021 Knowing & Trusting, A Lesson in Svādhyāya”]

“Only through the realization of great goals a person reveals his strong character.”

— Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (b. 08/27/1770)

Extreme heat (and a lot of changes) can not only make people lethargic and unmotivated, they can also lead to extreme agitation and anxiety-based fear. We may find it hard to think, hard to feel (or process our feelings), and/or hard to control our impulses. If you are struggling in the US, help is available just by dialing 988.

If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.

White Flag is a new app, which I have not yet researched, but which may be helpful if you need peer-to-peer (non-professional) support.

If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, you can also click here to contact the TrevorLifeline (which is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors).

In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es).

Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.

Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes.

###  ###