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Warrior Excerpts & FTWMI: How One Does Their Duty (the post-practice Monday post) April 7, 2025

Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Art, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Gandhi, Healing Stories, Hope, Karma, Karma Yoga, Lent / Great Lent, Life, Music, One Hoop, Peace, Philosophy, Poetry, Religion, William Wordsworth, Wisdom, Women, Writing, Yoga.
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Peace and many blessings to all! “Nine days and nine nights of blessings and happiness if you are celebrating Chaitra Navaratri!” Peace and many blessings to those observing Lent & Great Lent!

This post-practice compilation for Monday, April 7th features a little new content, slightly revised excerpts, and (For Those Who Missed It) a short 2021 post. The 2025 prompt question was, “Who (or what) comes to mind when you think of a warrior?”

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.

“‘O Prince, your ignorance of your True Self Within is the cause of your present reluctance to act, just as the opposite of ignorance, Self-knowledge, would bring fearless action. So with the sword of wisdom sever the doubts in your heart. Arise, O best of men, take your stand. Be a warrior!’”

— Krishna speaking to Arjuna (4.42) in The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners by Jack Hawley

What makes someone a warrior? What attributes come to mind when you think of a warrior? More importantly, how can we embody those attributes on and off the mat? Take a moment to consider those questions and then I have two (2) more questions for you….

  1. Do you answers change when you consider that most “Warrior” poses in yoga are actually “Hero Friend” poses?

  2. Do you answers change when you think of the warrior/hero friend as a woman?

The Fierce Mother Goddess (an excerpt):

During Navaratri, each of manifestation of Durga/Parvati manifestation is a symbolic milestone (and a reminder that women “contain multitudes”). The final day* is devoted to Siddhidhatri, whose name literally means “land/earth of achievements”. Her name can also be translated as “Giver of Perfection”, as She is believed to be endowed with all the siddhis (“abilities” or “powers”) in the Universe and, also, to be able to bestow all of them. Typically, however, She only gives nine of the multitudes — some of which are referenced in the Yoga Sūtras.

In art and literature, she is sometimes depicted as being half of Shiva (with Him being half of Her), meaning that they are the embodiment the yin/yang symbol. When they are shown together in this way, they are each known as Ardhanarishvara, Ardhanaranari, or similar names that all highlight the fact that They are partially a woman.

When we look at the hero(ine)’s journey — as told through each day’s story, we are reminded that Durga/Parvati is a warrior or, if you will, a hero friend.

*NOTE: During the big celebrations of Navaratri (in the Spring and Fall) the final day is a double celebration — which may mean more feasting in some regions and more fasting in others. For this current celebration of Chaitra Navaratri, some people are also celebrating Rama Navami — the birth of Rama.

For Those Who Missed It: How One Does Their Duty

“Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he

That every man in arms should wish to

be?”

— quoted from the poem “Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth

It’s unlikely that you’ve heard someone referred to as “America’s Lord Nelson”. Unless, of course, the person being referenced was a member of the peerage whose name was Nelson. However, several modern politicians — including Minnesota’s own Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. (the 38th Vice President of the United States) and Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. (the 47th Vice President and 46th President of the United States) — have been called “the Happy Warrior”; because their personal constitutions fit the poem “The Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth.

Born April 7, 1770, in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England, Wordsworth was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from April 6, 1843 — April 23, 1850. He wrote the poem about “the Happy Warrior” to eulogize (& idolize) Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB — whose views on slavery are currently under much scrutiny and debate.

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.

WHAT MAKES A WARRIOR HAPPY: 2019 Kiss My Asana Offering #7

“Whose high endeavors are an inward light
That makes the path before him always bright;”

— quoted from the poem “Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth

There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices.

The 2021 playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “04072021 Character of the Happy Warrior”]

“Dedicated
To all spiritual activists
Truth seekers and peaceful warriors
Worldwide
‘I regard myself as a soldier
Though a soldier of peace’”

— MC Yogi and Mohandas Gandhi, quoted from the Intro to the song “Be the Change (Niraj Chag’s Swaraj Mix)” by MC Yogi and Niraj Chag

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).

CORRECTION & ERRATA: During the practice and in the original post, I indicated that Rama Navami was the day after the ninth day/night of Navaratri; however, it is usually celebrated on the ninth day/night. Dussehra (which is literally the “ten[th]” and “defeat”) is after the celebration in the Fall.

### Jai Jai Gurudev Jai Jai ###

EXCERPT: “The Day of Introductions” January 20, 2024

Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Changing Perspectives, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Karma, Kumbh Mela, Life, Music, One Hoop, Religion, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.
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May all beings everywhere feel a sense of belonging! Warm wishes for peace and righteousness to everyone celebrating Kumbh Mela!!  

“We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance and humility, and if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes, as my mom would say, just for a moment, stand in their shoes. Because here’s the thing about life: There’s no accounting for what fate will deal you. Some days when you need a hand. There are other days when we’re called to lend a hand. That’s how it has to be. That’s what we do for one another. And if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future. And we can still disagree.”

— quoted from the January 20, 2021, Inaugural Speech by President Joseph Biden

The following (reformatted) excerpt is from a 2021 post:

“So: Here we are — again, beginning and also ending. Ending also and beginning, again – are we here? Are we all in? That is a question that could be asked (and is implied) by every president and vice president. Never forget, that every administration is intended to serve us, we the people. And yet, we also serve; as citizens of this nation — even of the world — we have responsibilities to ourselves and to one another. Just as we look at what a candidate, a president and/or vice president elect, and a sitting president and/or vice president has to offer us, we must consider what we have to offer ourselves and one another. Then, we offer it.

Offering what we have to offer is a reoccurring theme with these inaugurations. And, it’s what Robert Frost meant when, on January 20, 1961, he spoke of “The Gift Outright” as the first poet to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration. What we offer can be as profoundly simple as a ‘[hopeful] Good morning,’ as Maya Angelou suggested when she became the second inauguration poet on January 20, 1993 — or as simply profound as ‘[dreaming] for every child an even chance’ as Miller Williams had us consider on January 20, 1997. We must, as Elizabeth Alexander said on June 20, 2009, ‘consider, reconsider [our words]’ and the mighty power of love. We must, as all the poets have said, remember where from where we come and, as Richard Blanco reminded us in January 21, 2013, to say ‘hello / shalom, buon giorno / howdy / namaste / or buenos días in the language my mother taught me—in every language spoken into one wind[.]’ And we can, we must, as the sixth and the youngest inauguration poet to date implored us, ‘forge our union with purpose’ and ‘lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.’ This is what we need to live well.”

Click here for the entire post about palindromes and a brief history of Inauguration Day in the USA.

“Scripture tells us to envision that ‘everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid.’ If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade but in all the bridges we’ve made.

That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb if only we dare it, because being American is more than a pride we inherit – it’s the past we step into and how we repair it.”

— quoted from the poem “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman, during the January 20, 2021 Presidential Inauguration (the “Scripture” she cites Micah 4:4) 

Please join me today (Saturday, January 20th) at 12:00 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.

Saturday playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify.

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.)

### AUM ###

How One Does Their Duty April 7, 2021

Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Healing Stories, Life, Music, Philosophy, Poetry, William Wordsworth, Writing, Yoga.
Tags: , , ,
add a comment

“Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he

That every man in arms should wish to

be?”

– quoted from the poem “Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth

It’s unlikely that you’ve heard someone referred to as “America’s Lord Nelson.” Unless, of course, the person being referenced was a member of the peerage whose name was Nelson. However, several modern politicians – including Minnesota’s own Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. (the 38th Vice President of the United States) and Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. (the 47th Vice President and 46th President of the United States) – have been called “the Happy Warrior;” because their personal constitutions fit the poem “The Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth. Wordsworth, born today in 1770, wrote the poem to eulogize (& idolize) Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB – whose views on slavery are currently under much scrutiny and debate.

“Whose high endeavors are an inward light

That makes the path before him always bright;”

– quoted from the poem “Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth

Please join me today (Wednesday, April 7th) at 4:30 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. Use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You will need to register for the 7:15 PM class if you have not already done so. Give yourself extra time to log in if you have not upgraded to Zoom 5.0. 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.

You can find my 2019 post related to The Happy Warrior practice here.

In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, playlists, 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). If you don’t mind me knowing your donation amount you can also donate to me directly. Donations to Common Ground are tax deductible; class purchases and donations directly to me are not necessarily deductible.)

DON’T FORGET! Next month’s “First Friday Night Special” will be May the 7th, which this year falls during the month of Ramadan, in the Muslim tradition.  In the Jewish tradition, it is “forty-one days, which is five weeks and six days of the Omer” and a time when people will be focused on “Bonding in Bonding.” [If you received a class recording this week, you can obviously see that I got my months mixed up; however we will still consider what holds something together. Time and additional details will be posted on the “Class Schedules” calendar soon!

### 🎶 ###