In the Blood of Christ Mountains
This Easter morning I climb a scraggly rock strewn hill on the outskirts of the city of Holy Faith. I pick my way through prickly pear cactus and sharp volcanic cinders. At the top is a crooked white cross which, at the mercy of the fierce desert wind, has tilted heavily to the side. In the high …
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The Yoga of Caring for an Aging Parent
I spent this week caring for my 88 year old mother. It is astonishing how the end of life resembles the beginning. In the car to the Whole Foods mom asks again and again, “How far away are we?” Like the width of her shoulders, her world has shrunken down to …
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The Spell of the Shell
Convinced that we are separate, as if cast under a spell, we bump around blindly in this life-time, unable to see beyond the end of our noses. The spell is mesmerizing, hypnotic and leaves us in a kind of stupor. The Japanese poet Shuho alluded to the totality of the trance in this verse: “cicada shell/little did I know/it was …
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STAYING TRUE: The Book Backlash
This past week-end at the Academy Awards, we were pulling for the The ABCs of Book Banning to win first prize in the Short Documentary category. As a one time graduate of English Literature (long live the Humanities!) I know reading to be instrumental to opening people’s eyes, hearts and minds to a …
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Exploring the Depths of the Chakras
Step into a realm of mystique and self-discovery as we embark on a transformative journey through the enigmatic world of the chakras. These ancient energy centers, steeped in symbolism and significance, offer a gateway to the subtle realms of our being. Each chakra, with its unique blend of color, geometry, …
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Same Difference
One of the most powerful yoga teachings I know is short and sweet – only two words – bheda-abheda. You will notice that the words are identical except for one small “a” that begins the second word. This is not some clever linguistic trick, but points to the heart of wisdom and best describes …
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Time & Space are the Greatest Healers
Cosmologists, physicists, architects, and yogis know that time and space are indivisible. They hold the potential for all being and becoming. In the chakra system, time and space occupy exquisitely fine openings within the skull. Space exists in the vestibule of the inner ear. Time is associated with the invisible third eye, one that never opens …
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Be As You Are
The tragic death of Nex Benedict is a heart wrenching reminder that our good work as a global nation is to let people be as they are. Nex was only 16, a non-binary kid growing up in a small town 20 minutes outside of Tulsa Oklahoma. Like so many red …
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Yoga for Immunity
Yoga for Immunity We recommend you take your “flu shot” everyday with yoga practice! Here in the winter months there is no better time to strengthen your immunity than through movement and breath work. Practicing yoga postures serves to increase the circulation of lymph through your lungs, connective tissues, organs …
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The Fruit of the Practice
In the wisdom traditions of yoga and meditation, the experience of yoga samadhi is likened to the moment when fruit drops off the vine. Like the cultivation of a plum or a peach, fruition happens in time, spontaneously, “of its own accord.” After years maturing the essential ingredients of yoga—insight, …
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