It is rare for tears to come when reading the news
Tears welled up this morning in sadness and honor with the news of Ted Kennedy, an incredible example of a life of service.
Tears welled up this morning in sadness and honor with the news of Ted Kennedy, an incredible example of a life of service.
May your holiday present opportunities for gratitude and generosity. I am looking forward to sharing delicious food with good friends. My contribution is dessert. As I am currently limited to the toaster oven for baking, I’m exploring how many tasty and varied things I can make in an 8×8 pan.
I also found time for a walk. It was a bright and breezy afternoon..
There are thousands of little temples — some hardly more than altars — scattered throughout both the countryside and cities here. I marvel at the artistry of some and the garishness of others.
I think, on witnessing this effulgence of creativity, of what helps me remember the everyday sacred. Mostly, I am inclined to look inward.
Needing a brightly decorated space that tells a story is so different from my Quaker upbringing.
In the session yesterday, in discussing the Siva Sutras, Paul Muller-Ortega said that the whole of the teachings are in the very first sutra, even in the first word (caitanyam — consciousness). For students who, on hearing the first word from their teacher, say “got it, I understand fully,” no further teaching is necessary. For the students who say, “please explain further, what does it mean?” more elaboration is needed.
What does it mean, though, to “get it?” What do we do with the teachings of yoga? How do we integrate them into our lives? I practice and study yoga because it is teaching me how to be stronger, more flexible, more grounded, and better able to serve. Some people I know already have that. They are already living the yoga, so they do not need the details and the practices.
As a reminder of one who has been living a rich, full life of service and love, enjoy this video of Pete Seeger in honor of his 90th birthday. (If you cannot see this link, please just do a search for videos, using your favorite search engine.)
The indoor plants have been multiplying. When the pandemic is no longer keeping me home most of the time, I might find there are more than I can care for well.

What a different message–signs on glass windows and those on boarded up windows. I was out of the house on Tuesday for garden supplies. How much things in the neighborhood seem to change when I’m going out only a couple times a month instead of a couple of times a day.
