A Joyful Practice

A Quick Note & Excerpts RE: Being Grounded (the “missing” compilation post for Sunday 2/10) February 10, 2026

“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 10^th (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 10^th 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 10^TH.

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 ###