A Giving Sunday… & A “Stranger” Monday (the “missing” 2-for-1 compilation post, with excerpts) June 15, 2026
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Changing Perspectives, Dharma, Donate, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Karma Yoga, Life, Love, Minneapolis, Minnesota, One Hoop, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Science, Suffering, Tragedy, Twin Cities, Volunteer, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: 988, Dana, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys, Dr. Karl Landsteiner, Dr. Linus Pauling, Dr. Paul Emmerez, Generosity, Gilbert (Hortman), Hope Hoffman, John Hoffman, José Ortega y Gasset, Jose Ortega y Gasset, Mark Hortman, Melissa Hortman, Mildred Adams, No Kings Day, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, siddhis, Sāmkhya Karika, World Blood Donor Day, World Health Organization, Yoga Sutra 2.24, Yvette Hoffman
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Happy Pride! Many, many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone celebrating PRIDE and/or the 3rd Week after Pentecost, All Russian Saints, & the Apostles’ (Peter & Paul) Fast on World Blood Donor Day.
This is the “missing” (2-for-1) compilation post, with excerpts, for Sunday, June 14th — Monday, June 15th. The 2026 prompt question (for Monday) was, “What is something you have in common with someone perceived as being different from you?”
You can request an audio recording of these practices 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.
“I found that [Karl] Landsteiner and I had a much different approach to science: Landsteiner would ask, ‘What do these experimental observations force us to believe about the nature of the world?’ and I would ask, ‘What is the most simple, general and intellectually satisfying picture of the world that encompasses these observations and is not incompatible with them?’”
— quoted from “Fifty Years of Progress in Structural Chemistry and Molecular Biology.” By Dr. Linus Pauling (published in Daedalus, 99, 1005. 1970)
The way we phrase a question can sometimes lead to a very different answer than when the same question is asked in a slightly different way. As referenced above, the way a scientist asks a question can determine the way in which they experiment. Similarly, the way a question is asked during an interrogation can lead to a different series of events than if a less accusatory version of the question is asked at the beginning of a yoga class.
For example, “What or who do you value?” was the question at the beginning of Sunday’s practice. I also phrased it as “What or who do you care about?” I am sure you can think of a less polite, more profane way of asking the same question — and it is possible you would get similar answers. However, the first question — with the focus on values — is a direct route to the core (and heart) of our identity and behaviors.
“There is no doubt that the most important mechanism in every animate being is attention. We are where we lend our attention. For that reason I have so often repeated ‘Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.’”
— quoted from “6 Change and Crisis” in Man and Crisis (originally titled En Torno A Galileo) by José Ortega y Gasset (Translated from the Spanish by Mildred Adams)
Sunday, June 14th, was the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark Hortman, and their dog Gilbert; as well as the attempted assassination of Minnesota state senator John Hoffman, his wife Yvette Hoffman, and their daughter Hope Hoffman (who was injured, but — thanks to her parents — not shot).* It was also the anniversary of the first No Kings Day.
In thinking about the tragedy, as well as the hopes, of that day, and all the days since, I can’t help but think about how we express our values through our thoughts, words, and deeds. A year ago, to the day, there were people who chose to express their values in a peaceful way; while others simultaneously chose to express their values through violence. And, don’t get it twisted, the violence wasn’t just exhibited by the murderer (who has now been convicted), but/and also by counter-protestors to the No Kings Rally. The ironic thing, and one of the saddest things, is that if you stripped away some of the details, people had the same complaints. Up to a point, you could even say they shared similar sentiments. The difference between those who chose peace versus those who chose violence really comes down how much we engaged the practice of our hearts…how much we engaged the things that make us human.
We can debate whether or not the six siddhis (“powers” or “abilities”) described in the Sāmkhya Karika are, in fact, “powers unique to being human”. However, there is no denying that things like our ability to think, use words, problem solve, and cultivate relationships are aspects of our shared experience as humans. These are things we all have in common. Dana (“generosity”) is, in some ways, the most unique of the powers simply because it is the one that can intrinsically overlaps our legal systems.
“The last category of our innate siddhis is dana, ‘the ability to give.’ We have both the wisdom and the courage to share what lawfully belongs to us with others. We are designed to experience the joy of giving. This joy is the architect of human civilization, characterized by self-sacrifice and selflessness.”
— quoted from the commentary on Yoga Sūtra 2.24 from The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD
A few months back, I read 2 books that — at their core — were about connection, belonging, really seeing someone, and generosity. In one book, the generous protagonist was motivated by not being seen, not being understood, and not being accepted as a child. He wanted other children — even ones who were different from him — to experience the love and sense of belonging he missed out on as a child. Even though he was very generous with his money, what stands out in his actions was how generous he was with his other resources: time, energy, love, acceptance. His generosity went beyond his bank account and (slight spoiler alert) when it was pointed out to him that he is being a little stingy (with himself and his truth), he course corrected. His generosity went deeper.
On the flip side, the other book rubbed me the wrong way, because I couldn’t get past the idea that, if the protagonist had less money, he might have given something more valuable than the gifts he gave: He might have gone deeper and given more of himself.
“[The 2026 World Blood Donor Day] campaign, ‘One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.’, places humanity at the heart of every blood donation. It reminds us that each donation is more than a medical act: it is a powerful expression of solidarity, compassion and collective responsibility.”
— quoted from the World Health Organization’s 2026 World Blood Donor Day site
Sunday was also World Blood Donor Day, which is the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Karl Landsteiner (b. 1868). Coincidentally, the day that honors the “Father of Transfusion Medicine” falls the day before the anniversary of the first documented successful “xenotransfusion”. On June 15, 1667, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys (with assistance from Dr. Paul Emmerez) successfully transfused about 12 ounces of sheep blood into the elbow of a 15-year old boy who had been experiencing chronic fever — and who was not finding relief from leeches repeatedly administered by a barber-surgeon. Thanks to the research of Dr. Landsteiner, we now know that 1667 transfusion and similar 17th-19th century transfusions avoided killing the recipients by pure luck!
World Blood Donor Day is an opportunity to educate people about blood (and plasma) donations and, also, an opportunity to celebrate and honor the people who literally give their life’s blood. Consider, for a moment, that if everyone donated money, but no one donated blood or plasma, the money would just sit in the banks. Maybe, occasionally, moving from one bank to another. On the flip side, if everyone (who could) donated blood and/or plasma, but no one donated money, people would use their siddhis and figure out a way to get the blood and plasma to the people who needed them.
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLES BELOW FOR MORE.
Thicker Than…? (a”missing” 2-for-1 post, for Monday-Tuesday)
“Inspired by the idea that the whole of humanity can be reflected in a single drop, the [2026] campaign highlights how every donor helps form a lifeline that connects and protects us all.”
— quoted from the World Health Organization’s 2026 World Blood Donor Day site
Sunday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “06142020 World Blood Donor Day”]
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 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
*NOTE: One June 14, 2025, the murderer made additional attempts on the lives of Minnesota legislators and their families. In one case, the legislator was on vacation. In a separate case, the attempt was thwarted by police presence and interaction.
### Generosity ⇐⇒ Humanity ###
A Quick PSA & FTWMI: The Power of Giving & Sharing June 14, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Changing Perspectives, Donate, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Health, Hope, Karma Yoga, Life, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music, One Hoop, Philosophy, Science, Suffering, Super Heroes, Tragedy, Twin Cities, Volunteer, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: 988, © National center for blood transfusion (NCBT) Rwanda, Dana, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys, Dr. Karl Landsteiner, Dr. Linus Pauling, Flag Day, Kristin Houser, No Kings Day, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, samkhya, siddhis, Sāṃkhya Karika, Sāmkhya Karika, WHO, World Blood Donor Day, World Health Organization, Yoga Sutra 2.24
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Happy Pride! Many blessing to everyone on World Blood Donor Day!!!
A Quick Public Service Announcement
My heart and condolences go out to the family, friends, and constituents being affected by the attacks in the Twin Cities.
Be safe today if you are participating in a No Kings Day! observation (or Flag Day celebration) and/or if you are in an area where protests and parades are taking place. Stay centered and calm, breathe, and practice the four (+1) R’s:
Recognize when your buttons are getting pushed (and things are escalating).
Refrain from your knee jerk reaction (which may be to push back).
Relax (even if you just pause and take a breath).
Resolve to move forward, centered and grounded.
Remember why you are doing what you are doing.
For Those Who Missed It: The following was originally posted in 2023. It includes updated statistics (compared to the related linked posts). Class details and theme information (as well as some formatting) have been updated. Some links at the end of the post connect outside of this blog.
“I found that [Karl] Landsteiner and I had a much different approach to science: Landsteiner would ask, ‘What do these experimental observations force us to believe about the nature of the world?’ and I would ask, ‘What is the most simple, general and intellectually satisfying picture of the world that encompasses these observations and is not incompatible with them?’”
— quoted from “Fifty Years of Progress in Structural Chemistry and Molecular Biology.” By Dr. Linus Pauling (published in Daedalus, 99, 1005. 1970)
In addition to the typical philosophical questions, this week has been full of very practical questions: “Are you keeping your foundation in mind?” “What do you have a hard time wrapping your brain around (i.e., understanding)?” In other words, “How ignorant are you?” “What ails you?” “How do you cope with what ails you?” “Does the way you cope alleviate suffering or create more suffering?” And, rooted within each of those questions is one more: “Are you willing to alleviate your suffering and/or the suffering of another?”
Honestly, that last question is really just asking if you’re willing to be a hero(ine)?
Heroes and heroines have come up again and again over the last few weeks. Sometimes the reference was inferred; other times it was quite explicit. Either way, the idea that one person could do something to help — even save — themselves and/or another person comes up over and over again. And, yes, I will admit that I have a certain bias towards the idea. I definitely appreciate the fact that many of the heroes and heroines you find in so many cultural stories (not to mention in the stories of certain superheroes) are ordinary people who do extra-ordinary things. Sure, sometimes they are given superpowers, but what is more relevant is the power(s) they cultivate.
“The last category of our innate siddhis is dana, ‘the ability to give.’ We have both the wisdom and the courage to share what lawfully belongs to us with others. We are designed to experience the joy of giving. This joy is the architect of human civilization, characterized by self-sacrifice and selflessness.”
— quoted from the commentary on Yoga Sūtra 2.24 from The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD
According to the Yoga Sūtras, when we eliminate suffering and the roots of suffering, we gain awareness of our true nature. We also gain access to the power and vitality of our true nature. In the Sāṃkhya Karika, that power and vitality includes six siddhis (“powers” or abilities) which are described as “powers unique to being human.” Everyone has these powers, but not everyone appreciates and cultivates them. Take for example, what happens when we harness the power of duḥkha-vighātaḥ-trayaḥ (the ability to “eliminate three-fold sorrow”, i.e., physical, mental, and spiritual sorrow) and combine it with the power of dana (“generosity”, i.e., the ability to give to another).
We all have something that legally belongs to us that we could give to another. We also have something that most of us can give away without ever missing. I’m not talking about a material possession — although some of us may have material things that we could give away and not miss. No, here, I am specifically talking about something that is the very essence of our life. Consider how powerful it is to literally give our lifeblood. We have the ability to do that thanks to Dr. Karl Landsteiner, the “Father of Transfusion Medicine”, who was born today in 1868.
Click here to read more about the significance of Dr. Karl Landsteiner’s work.
In honor of Dr. Landsteiner’s birthday, today is World Blood Donor Day. (Coincidentally, it falls just the day before the anniversary of Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys’s 1667 surgery on a 15-year old boy, using sheep’s blood.) Established in 2005, by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, World Blood Donor Day is a celebration of and an expression of gratitude for the millions of donors worldwide. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness for the universal need for safe blood and blood products.
In 2023, the host country is Algeria (through its National Blood Transfusion Service) and the theme is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.”
The 2025 theme is “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives.”
“[The 2023 World Blood Donor Day theme] focuses on patients requiring life-long transfusion support and underlines the role every single person can play, by giving the valuable gift of blood or plasma. It also highlights the importance of giving blood or plasma regularly to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can be always available, all over the world, so that all patients in need can receive timely treatment.”
— quoted from the World Health Organization’s 2023 World Blood Donor Day site
According to WHO, 42% of the world’s blood supply is collected in high income countries, which are home to only 16% of the world’s population. Additionally, as of 2018, only 79 countries have the majority (90%) of their blood supplied by voluntary, unpaid donors. Some of those countries also supply blood transfusions free of charge. Meanwhile, 54 countries depend on family and paid donors. When it comes to plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMP), less than half of the reporting countries (56 out of 171) produce PDMP through the fractionation (i.e., separation) of plasma collected in the reporting countries. A little over 53% of reporting countries (91 out of 171) import all PDMP. The remaining 14% either reported no usage or did not report any data.
Just as the demographics of people who donate is different, how different countries use blood varies. For example, in low income countries, more than half (54%) of blood transfusions are give to children under 5 years old. On the flip side, the majority of people receiving transfusions in high income countries (76%) are over the age of 60.
Go deeper and you will find that even in countries that can depend on voluntary donations, certain parts of those countries experience shortages which can only be alleviated by a mobilized network. In fact, one of the goals of World Blood Donor Day is to “mobilize support at national, regional, and global levels among governments and development partners to invest in, strengthen and sustain national blood programmes.” That mobilized network can include electronic cold chain monitoring systems and drones — both of which can be found in Rwanda and in Ukraine.
“Rwanda’s policy since 1985 is that blood must be donated by unpaid volunteers and provided to patients in need free-of-charge. Donors around Rwanda are eager to help.
‘I always am happy to save a life of someone, even someone I don’t know, because in our (Rwandan) culture, we believe that to be human is to do good things to someone without being remunerated,’ said Euphrasie Uwase Maneno, a blood donor.”
— quoted from the 12 June 2019 World Health Organization report “Drones take Rwanda’s national blood service to new heights” by © National center for blood transfusion (NCBT) Rwanda
Please join me today (Saturday, June 14th) 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 on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “06142020 World Blood Donor Day”]
“[Canadian drone manufacturer Draganfly’s] medical drones, meanwhile, are equipped with temperature-controlled payload boxes that can be used to transport up to 35 pounds of blood, insulin, vaccines, and other supplies. They can fly for 40 minutes on a single charge.”
— quoted from the Freethink article “Medical drones to transport blood being rushed to Ukraine” by Kristin Houser (dated March 31, 2022)
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.)
A Joyful Practice 