I have been feeling a strong need for more time spent in vipariti karani (legs up the wall pose) to balance how much walking and working standing up I have been doing. If you don’t have a cat to provide weight and warmth, a hot water bottle can be a soothing extra.
When I was walking about yesterday, I thought I could not bear to leave the exuberance of DC’s spring. Only my house sitter would be able to watch all the new seedlings coming up in my garden. I would miss the last of the cherry blossoms. Then I thought that it would be spring where I am going–and no doubt gorgeous in its own way.
In photo from front to back: tulips, azaleas, redbud, dogwood (pink and white).
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
Today I was filled with grief and anxiety, having taken in the pictures of India and Palestine and Iran and New York and Italy and for-profit prisons in the US and cages of refugees at the border and the over-burdened and under-supported health care workers and and and. And being out walking is strange.
First, I counted my blessings. Then because I know what helps me, I did it:
I sat myself down and did pranayama and meditation, made healthy simple meals, worked with focus all day, gave more money to those out helping and trying to change things for the better, spent some time cleaning and gardening, and soon will return to practicing, putting aside the influx of information for the remaining hours before bed.
Blessings to all of you.
It was raining and that was the smallest of discomforts compared to the suffering being funded by our government.
I do not have the courage to refuse to pay taxes. I am willing, however, to give away enough of that portion of my retirement savings that has undeniably been bloated by a war economy to offset most of my tax liability.
Today, when I was trying to burrow more deeply under the covers when invoked to wake by the usual sounds, I thought about the way young children or pets are eager to get out of bed and to get you out of bed, even if it is for nothing more than to say good morning or eat breakfast. The moment they open their eyes, the day looks promising. At what point does bed (even if we have had enough sleep) come to seem more desirable than getting up?
I am not particularly eager to go to work today — things are rather stressful at this juncture on my project. I do know, though, that sitting for meditation is always good. I also know that on the days I practice fully in the morning, my day is more enjoyable no matter what happens. Knowing that I have the time and space to practice if I wake timely is always a good reason to get out of bed and is what drew me out of the comfort of lying under the covers this morning.
Now that I am done with my practice, I can also enjoy what spectacular weather is on offer today. An added bonus.
With compassion, love, and discrimination (in yoga viveka), we can do far more–for ourselves individually and for society and the planet’s ecosystem as a whole. If you haven’t already, please get out and vote.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
