There’s a thousand ways to kiss the Earth Rumi writes in one of his poems. This is one of them I remind myself. Our’s is a practice of gently surrendering, and in our devotion, discovering ourselves more fully.
Category: Mind
Cortisol Levels, Weight, and Stress Management
It’s Sunday afternoon and Maribel and I are looking at the week ahead and the classes we are teaching. All of them have something in common: All are meant to provide benefit to those who take them. The benefit of exercising and/or taking up a practice such as yoga is often felt immediately. We often… Continue reading Cortisol Levels, Weight, and Stress Management
Striving for Perfection
“We can stop trying to get something out of life. Striving for perfection, the compulsion to manufacture a perfect situation, is a habit with us. We are addicted to improving ourselves and our lives’ situations. But we cannot experience our true openness by improving ourselves. It is a bit like taking better and better care… Continue reading Striving for Perfection
Dear Prudence
In a blink of an eye you are going to be my age, I told him. He swayed back and forth on the hammock he skillfully hung between the sea grape tree and a sturdy palm in our front yard. Allan looked at me with eyes I recognized not just as my son’s eyes but… Continue reading Dear Prudence
Making Holy
A couple of weeks ago Maribel and I went to Shabbat service at Temple Judea with our friend Anne Freedman. It was a joyful service. How could it not be? The temple band calls itself “Rhythm and Jews.” As we worshiped together, I felt great delight at feeling  welcomed and at home at a house… Continue reading Making Holy
One Hour of Yoga
Although a small study, the findings corroborate research that demonstrates the positive effects of Yoga on the entire body, in this particular case the cardiovascular system. One hour of Yoga can change your life for the better.
Cold Water Dip
I had a great conversation with my friend Binsen this morning. He told me about going to the ocean yesterday and diving into the cold water. Pure surrender, he said. I wondered what was going on. The day before I jumped in the pool and felt the cold water remind me that life is good… Continue reading Cold Water Dip
Breaking the Trance
When merchants eat their big meals and sleep their dead sleep, we night-thieves go to work. -Rumi Even during the holidays, or maybe especially during the holidays, it is hard to avoid a sense of despair if one reads or watches the news daily or goes on some form of social media. It seems that… Continue reading Breaking the Trance
You Belong
Sometimes a walk outdoors is what we need to remind ourselves that we belong, that our communion has no creed, that our love is strong as life. Join us. [ecs-list-events]