An “–” Note & EXCERPTS: “Today in Rock and Roll” & “… some Powerball® thoughts” (the “missing” Sunday post) May 24, 2026
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Art, Baha'i, Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Japa, Japa-Ajapa, Karma, Life, Love, Mantra, Meditation, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Religion, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 988, Anna Mae Bullock, Annie Dillard, Bob Dylan, chanting, Dechen Shak-Dagsay, Declaration of the Báb, Diotima, em dash, en dash, hyphen, Linda Ellis, mantra, music, Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō, Nat Hentoff, Plato, Regula Curti, Robert Allen Zimmerman, satya, Seventh Sunday of Pascha, Socrates, The Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, Tina Turner, truth, Uvalde Texas, Woody Guthrie
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Many, many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone celebrating and/or observing the Seventh Sunday of Pascha: The Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council and /or the Declaration of the Báb.
This is “missing” compilation post for Sunday, May 24th, features new content and excerpts. My apologies for not posting before the practice. 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.
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 shall I do this morning? How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing…. living.”
— quoted from “Chapter Two” of The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
At the beginning of Chapter Two of The Writing Life, Annie Dillard quoted Plato’s Symposium, in which Socrates (quoting Diotima) said, “But what if the man could see Beauty Itself, pure, unalloyed, stripped of mortality, and all its pollution, stains, and vanities, unchanging, divine,…the man becoming in that communion, the friend of God, himself immortal;…would that be a life to disregard?” The answer, of course, is no. Neither do we ignore (i.e., disregard) the beauty that comes from someone dealing with all the things we deal with as mere mortals, all the things that come with life, including morality.
Ah, mortality.
On any given day, in any given year, someone is born and someone passes away. When we mark those milestones with celebrations, what we are really celebrating is what happens in between. The en dash [–] in someone’s biography and/or obituary symbolises all that they do while living on this planet we call Earth. All the things we learn and teach; all the people we love (or not); all the things we think; and all the things we say and do are compressed into that en dash, which is longer than a hyphen [-] and shorter than an em dash [—] .
Linda Ellis wrote a famous poem about “The Dash”, which has been quoted at funerals, memorials, and other events. The dash — and what it represents — has been the inspiration for sermons, speeches, and so many songs that I’ve lost track of them. All of that work dovetails and inspires so many lives, so many dashes.
Today is the birthday of Bob Dylan (b. 1941) and the death anniversary of Tina Turner (d. 2023).
Click on the excerpt titles below for more.
“‘The most important thing I know I learned from Woody Guthrie,’ says Dylan, ‘I’m my own person. I’ve got basic common rights-whether I’m here in this country or any other place. I’ll never finish saying everything I feel, but I’ll be doing my part to make some sense out of the way we’re living, and not living, now. All I’m doing is saying what’s on my mind the best way I know how. And whatever else you say about me, everything I do and sing and write comes out of me.’”
— quoted from the liner notes by Nat Hentoff (from Bob Dylan’s album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan)
Sunday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “O5242026 Poems & Meditations with Bob & Tina”]
NOTE: This remix, inspired by both Bob and Tina, includes Tina Turner’s recording of her “Beyond” message (which you can also find in the first embedded link above), an interlude, and “Sound of Mystic Law: Lotus Sutra” (which I referred to as a remix version at the end of the 2026 practice). The YouTube playlist includes an extra Tina video. The extended version of Sound of Mystic Law: Lotus Sutra, which I sometimes use for my personal practice, is only available on YouTube.
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).
You’re Invited to Bend… & To Take The Deepest Breath You’ve Taken — On Retreat!
September 25 — 27, 2026
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EXCERPTS: “Today in Rock and Roll” & “… some Powerball® thoughts” May 24, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Art, Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Donate, Faith, Healing Stories, Hope, Karma Yoga, Life, Meditation, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Volunteer, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 988, Anna Mae Bullock, Bob Dylan, Counting the Omer, Dechen Shak-Dagsay, KISS MY ASANA, music, Nat Hentoff, Regula Curti, Robert Allen Zimmerman, satya, Tina Turner, truth, Uvalde Texas
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Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone Counting the Omer, and/or observing the fifth week of Pascha.
“‘The most important thing I know I learned from Woody Guthrie,’ says Dylan, ‘I’m my own person. I’ve got basic common rights-whether I’m here in this country or any other place. I’ll never finish saying everything I feel, but I’ll be doing my part to make some sense out of the way we’re living, and not living, now. All I’m doing is saying what’s on my mind the best way I know how. And whatever else you say about me, everything I do and sing and write comes out of me.’”
— quoted from the liner notes by Nat Hentoff (from Bob Dylan’s album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan)
Today is the birthday of Bob Dylan (b. 1941) and the death anniversary of Tina Turner (d. 2023).
Click on the excerpt titles below for more.
Please join me today (Saturday, May 24th) 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’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “05242022 Bob’s Poems”]
NOTE: I chose not to create a new playlist this year, inspired by both Bob and Tina; however, the first embedded link (above) includes a special message from Tina Turner and I have added the following chant towards the end of both playlists.
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.)
Thank you to everyone who Kiss[ed] MyAsana!
While you helped me surpass my fundraising goal, the overall fundraiser raised over half of its goal!!
Whether you showed up in a (Zoom) class, used a recording, shared a post or video, liked and/or commented on a post or video, and/or made a donation — you and your efforts are appreciated! Thank you!!!
### AUM ###
Today in Rock and Roll (the Wednesday post) May 24, 2023
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in "Impossible" People, Art, Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Faith, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, Love, Music, One Hoop, Pain, Philosophy, Poetry, Suffering, Tragedy, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.Tags: Bob Dylan, Counting the Omer, Dechen Shak-Dagsay, Nat Hentoff, Powerball®, Regula Curti, Tina Turner, Uvalde Texas
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Many blessings to everyone, and especially to anyone Counting the Omer!
“‘Anything I can sing,’ he observes, ‘I call a song. Anything I can’t sing, I call a poem. Anything I can’t sing or anything that’s too long to be a poem, I call a novel. But my novels don’t have the usual story lines. They’re about my feelings at a certain place at a certain time.’”
– quoted from the liner notes by Nat Hentoff (from Bob Dylan’s album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan)
This is a footnote with links. If it were longer (and written by him), Robert Allen Zimmerman (born today in 1941) might call this a novel; because, it’s about how today feels weird to me.
First, it’s kind of a weird day in rock and roll. Tina Turner, the legendary Queen of Rock and Roll, just passed away today at the age of 83. Meanwhile, Bob Dylan, the rock and roll poet, turned 82 today. Yes, there are other things that make today weird – even sad and tragic, when you consider that it is the first anniversary of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. However, in the middle of all the sadness, tragedy, and even confusion (over why certain things aren’t changing in a way that makes us all safer), there are some joyful memories and some persistent reminders.
The memories include ones of my mom taking me to see Tina Turner’s Private Dancer tour (in 1985). It was my very first rock and roll concert. Another such memory is finding the mantras and chants that Tina Turner recorded after she started practicing Buddhism. Listening to those mantras and chants, I remember that the human spirit is divine, beautiful, and able to persevere. I find different, but equally persistent, reminders in the poetry – and music – of Bob Dylan, who is quoted in the liner notes for The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan as saying, “The most important thing I know I learned from Woody Guthrie…. I’m my own person. I’ve got basic common rights-whether I’m here in this country or any other place. I’ll never finish saying everything I feel, but I’ll be doing my part to make some sense out of the way we’re living, and not living, now. All I’m doing is saying what’s on my mind the best way I know how. And whatever else you say about me, everything I do and sing and write comes out of me.”
I think the same philosophy applies to Tina Turner.
Sometimes, I compare Bob Dylan and his career to winning the lottery with that elusive Powerball® of talent, drive, and other people’s perceptions. My comparison is not meant to take anything away from his talent and hard work. Quite the opposite. It’s just meant to highlight that sometimes people have things working in their favor. On the flip side, Tina Turner had the talent and the drive, but that last piece – other people’s perceptions (not to mention her own at certain times in her life) – worked against her. If you look at her life, where she started and the abuse that she endured early on, you’ll find there were a lot of things working against her. Yet, she survived. She thrived. She succeeded.
Tina Turner became one the best-selling recording artists of all time; won 12 Grammy Awards (including three Grammy Hall of Fame awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award); was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two times (in 1991 and 2021) and became the first woman and the first Black artist to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone. She appeared in movies and had a movie and a musical based on her life. Her accolades also include being a recipient of the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors.
She survived. She thrived. She succeeded. More importantly, she continued making beauty in the world.
“Nothing last forever.
No one lives forever.
The flower that fades and dies.
Winter passes and spring comes.
Embrace the cycle of life that is the greatest love.
Go beyond fear.
Go beyond fear.
Beyond fear takes you into the place where love grows.
When you refuse to follow the impulses of fear, anger, and revenge.
Beyond means to feel yourself.
Start every day singing like the birds.
Singing takes you beyond.
Beyond.
Beyond.
Beyond.”
– excerpted from “Beyond: Spiritual Message By Tina Turner” on the album Beyond: Buddhist and Christian Prayers by Tina Turner, Dechen Shak-Dagsay & Regula Curti
Please join me today (Wednesday, May 24th) 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. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
Wednesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “05242022 Bob’s Poems”]
NOTE: I did not have a chance to create a new playlist inspired by both Bob and Tina; however, here is the message quoted above.
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.)
A Joyful Practice 