A Joyful Practice

Believe More Like the Birds & Trees (the “missing” Saturday post) July 25, 2026

Stay hydrated, y’all, and “may our hearts be open!”

This is the “missing” (and backdated) compilation post (with excerpts) for Saturday, July 25^th. My apologies to KJ and anyone else I left off the music email. 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.

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“We don’t see reality – we only see what was useful to see in the past. But the nature of the brain’s delusional past is this: The past that determines how you see isn’t just constituted by your lived perceptions but by your imagined ones as well. As such, you can influence what you see in the future just by thinking.”

— quoted from “Chapter 5. The Frog Who Dreamed of Being a Prince” in Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently by Beau Lotto

Do you ever think about how your beliefs inform what you feel, think, say, and do? Here, I’m not only talking about social norms and the idea/belief that there are times when it is appropriate or not appropriate to do certain things. Neither am I only talking about the idea/belief that the way we think/believe can lead to suffering and/or the alleviation of suffering. No, here, I am talking about all of that as well as the fact that we have limiting beliefs that can hinder us, as well as (what we can call) “possibility beliefs” that make the “impossible” possible.

Neuroscientists, like Dr. Beau Lotto, talk about our  “space of possibility.”, which is based on our previous experiences and includes our habits and habitual thinking. What we experience in a past moment, informs what and how we experience the present moment; which, in turn, informs our future moments. And, all of this creates a set of beliefs about what we can and/or cannot do.

When we desire a certain outcome and we believe that outcome is possible, we do what we need to do — take the steps we need to take (even when they seem like giant leaps to others) — until we achieve the desired outcome. Even when we experience setbacks and obstacles, we find a way, because we believe in what we are doing. We don’t give up easily, or at all. On the flip side, if we do not believe in something — even a little bit — we don’t even get started. If we believe a little bit, maybe we start an endeavor; but, as soon as we hit a road block, we give up and turn around. This connection between what we believe and what we feel, think, say, and do is why it is important to examine our beliefs every now and again. It is also why it is important, every now and again, to change our inner dialogue.

A key element to this paradigm is the fact that can believe things are true when they are not true and believe things are not true when they are actually true. This is defined in the Yoga Sūtras as avidyā (“ignorance” or “nescience”). Avidyā is the first dysfunctional/afflicted thought pattern that leads to suffering and the bedrock of the other four dysfunctional/afflicted thought patterns. (YS 2.3-2.9) It is the opposite of vidyā (“correct knowledge”).¹ One of the interesting things to note when we are dealing with avidyā and our beliefs is that not believing in something doesn’t mean we won’t be affected by the Truth. At the same time, believing in something that is not true can affect our experience with reality.

“A yogi whose afflictions are attenuated can clearly see their presence in their subtle form in her mind. She can also see that they have the potential to induce the mind and senses to conform to their demands. But through sadhana, the yogi has developed the capacity to subdue these attenuated afflictions and prevent them from influencing her mind and senses.”

“By describing the four states of affliction, Patanjali is addressing the pain and sorrow of all human beings, whether or not they have heard of yoga or regard themselves as yoga practitioners. We are all striving to achieve happiness.”

— quoted from the commentary on Yoga Sūtra 2.4 from The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

Bottom line: There are things that are going to be true, whether we believe them or not, and there are things that are not going to be true, whether we believe them or not. In both cases, our beliefs define our experience of reality, because our beliefs determine what we do in any given situation.

Consider gravity for a moment. Gravity is defined as a force that draws one object towards the center of another object. We are all subject to the laws of gravity, even if we do not believe in gravity. If we believe we can fly and attempt to fly, our disbelief in gravity can lead to bodily injury and maybe death. We will fall down. If, however, we believe in gravity and we also believe in our ability to fly, we will take the steps necessary to mitigate the effects of gravity. If our our belief in gravity is more than our belief in our desire/ability to fly (i.e., we have a lot of disbelief in our abilities), we will not take the steps needed to soar.

“Be like the bird, who
Halting in his flight
On limb too slight
Feels it give way beneath him,
Yet sings
Knowing he hath wings.”

— quoted from the poem “Be Like the Bird” by Victor Hugo

NOTE: In Abbie Betinis’s musical composition (which is on the playlists), “she” has wings.

Perhaps you have no interest in flying. Perhaps, you are only interested in metaphorical soaring (i.e., being successful in your endeavors). Either way, accomplishing your goals requires having the means (artha), which include your good health. Ancient sciences, like Āyurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), traditional African medicines, bush medicine, Native medicines (related to the Americas), and other ancient or folk medicines, typically focus on using natural elements to keep the mind-body-spirit balanced. These practices can include herbs and/or dietary restrictions, in general, as well as adjustments related to the various seasons.

For example, we are currently at the beginning of Dà shǔ (大暑, “Great heat” or “Major heat”), which is the twelfth solar term and the last part of summer according to the traditional Chinese calendar. This is considered the hottest time of the year in most of China and a time when many people adjust their diets and activities in order to maintain balance during a time that can heighten lethargy, anxiety-based fear, and difficulties in self-regulation.

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.

Dà shǔ “Major Heat” 2023 (an updated and revised post) *UPDATED*

“All emotions associated with the organs are considered natural responses to life. Yet when they become compulsive or prolonged, they become injurious to our overall health.”

— quoted from the “Emotional Qualities” section of “12. The Lungs and Large Intestine” in Insight Yoga: An innovative synthesis of traditional yoga, meditation, and Eastern approaches to healing and well-being by Sarah Powers (Forward by Paul Grilley, Photography by Matthew Carden)

You can poo-poo these beliefs and practices, but consider how often we hear about people acting (extra) erratically in places that experience extreme heat. Consider that even modern science points to the way extreme heat (as well as extreme cold) saps our energy and makes it hard to think and/or process strong emotions.

Now, consider what happens when you check in with the way you feel physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, and even spiritually or religiously. Consider what happens when you take the knowledge of how you are feeling and combine it with knowledge about things that contribute to your wellbeing.

“When the small intestine chi is out of balance, there is poor sorting, and unclear information and emotions dominate and deteriorate the inner system.”

— quoted from the “Emotional Qualities” section of “13. The Heart and Small Intestine” in Insight Yoga: An innovative synthesis of traditional yoga, meditation, and Eastern approaches to healing and well-being by Sarah Powers (Forward by Paul Grilley, Photography by Matthew Carden)

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.

More Like Birds & Trees (the “missing” Tuesday post)

“The key is to achieve balance, which means being flexible, diverse, moderate, and in harmony with your own rhythm and needs. Chinese medicine makes use of acupuncture, herbs, diet, physical exercise, massage, mental discipline, and the modification of life-style habits as forms of therapy to reestablish the rhythmic swing of the Yin-Yang pendulum.”

— quoted from the “Everyday Life” section of “Chapter Four – Cycles of Circles: A Theory of Relativity Yin-Yang” in Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine by Harriet Beinfield, L.Ac. and Efrem Korngold, L.Ac., O. M. D.

If you are someone who only believes in modern science, consider that there are still a lot of unknowns in modern science. If you are someone who scoffs at indigenous medicine, consider how modern scientists are proving more and more of the claims made by ancient medicines. Similarly, if you are someone who only believes in ancient medicine and/or the healing power of your faith, consider that there is also power (and some Truth) in all of these disciplines.

One of the commonalities in all of the medical sciences, is the belief that there is something energizing (and animating) the mind-body.  Different cultures and sciences have different energetic mapping systems. For example, modern science points to the neural pathways and the central and peripheral nervous system. Yoga and Āyurveda (as the come to us from India) describe an energetic mapping system composed of nādis (energy “channels” or “rivers”), marma points or marmāni  (“vital” or “vulnerable” points), and chakras (energy “wheels”). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) outlines a meridian system. We can disbelieve any and all of the systems. We can dismiss ancient sciences as pseudoscience (ignoring the fact that the scientific method is, itself, an ancient science). However, what is interesting to me is how the systems overlap.

The central nervous system runs down the center of the body — around the same area where some people believe the sushumna nadi is located and where the chakras are created by the ida and pingala nadis overlapping sushumna nadi.² According to TCM, the governing and conception vessels are also housed in this general area. I’m not saying these are the same things. They clearly are not! I am saying that there is some wisdom in all of these systems. I am saying it is possible that some of this is true and modern technology simply gives us more definitive and demonstrable proof of the Truth.

However, even if none of this is true — and even modern science is getting some things wrong, these different disciplines provide a lens through which we can better understand our lived experiences. When we better understand our experiences, we can make better decisions and be more successful in our endeavors. We can soar and sing, just like the birds. We can shed what no longer serves us and blossom, when the time is right, just like the trees.

We can take responsibility for our own wellbeing and change our inner dialogue so that we create more opportunities for success.

“As humans, we have the capacity to see the difference between avidya and vidya. We can choose to harness one and subdue the other and thus become the creator of our own destiny.”

— quoted from the commentary on Yoga Sūtra 2.5 from The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

Saturday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “07252023 More Like Birds & Trees”]

NOTE: We have used different playlists for previous practices on this date. The YouTube playlist contains additional videos. I was not aware of this “Birdsong” when I made this playlist, so it is not (currently) included on either format.

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 need 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

NOTES:
¹Pramāṇa (YS 1.6-1.7) can also be translated into English as “correct knowledge” or “correct understanding”; however, it refers to the first of five mental functions (i.e., ways in which we gain/process knowledge).

²Sushumna is (“central” or “center”) and is associated with one of the primary rays of the sun. It also appears in some sacred text as a word meaning  “very gracious or kind”. Ida is designated as the (“left principle channel”). It is associated with “earth” and is also the name of various daughters (in different sacred text or scripture) who have stabilizing affects. Pingala nadis is designated as the “right principle channel” and has a plethora of different associations within different Indian disciplines. In Āyurveda it is also “one who is reddish brown tawny, yellow-coloured small kind of owl”, as well as a name for the owl.

### Are You Noticing a Pattern? ###