I’ve spoken very openly for many years about my experiences with anxiety and depression. Anxiety has been with me for as long as I can remember. Depression snuck up on me and pounced in my early twenties, when the anxiety got unbearable and turned to panic.
I’ve been thinking about how yoga teaches us not to turn away from suffering, but to witness it. Usually we apply this to ourselves, but I’ve been working with applying it to what is going on in the world too. We know that yoga teaches us that when we witness our own suffering we begin to see the wise action to take to alleviate it, and I’ve been looking at that too. It connects us to each other, and ourselves in that connection - and it’s a powerful practice in times like these.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this, I feel it too. ❤️
Thank you! I am constantly amazed at the negatively and deep seated anger that people have towards others. I can't understand it. I completely agree that the practices of yoga, meditation and breath are essential tools to use at this time. After using them for over 20 years, I have seen dramatic shifts in my patience, kindness and understanding. In the past, my temper would easily flare...especially dealing with challenging young kids. I'm embarrassed how I handled certain situations. I am forever grateful for my practice and the gifts that they brought into my life. I pray that others will recognize their behavior and seek out another way of being and acting.
Same, same, same Blythe! Embarrassed by past temper flares, so relieved to have so much on the mat and in the moment practice now to better handle things.
I would not be the person I am today without going deeply into my yoga practice. As the heart of the world is heavy I can ask myself, how can I practice nonviolent communication? How can I practice right thought right action? How can I serve? It always comes back to us and it always starts with us. We are fortunate and I am forever grateful 🙏🏼✨🙏🏼✨🙏🏼✨
Thank you so much for this and for the donations to DWB. I’ve been really struggling to find my own words around everything I’m feeling about the events in Israel and Palestine and their ripple effect around the world. Struggling to hold the small joys of my own life and to also bear witness to the horrors unfolding and the alarming anger and hatred erupting across the UK.
I was re listening to Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly last week and these words stood out to me to make some sense of all we seem to be facing: “Worrying about scarcity is our culture’s version of post traumatic stress and it happens when we’ve been through too much and rather than coming together to heal - which requires vulnerability - we’re angry and scared and at each others throats.”
Alarming is the right word. And: always love me some Brene Brown. That's a book I happened to do the audio version for, too! Maybe will listen again. Hugs.
Thank you for your thoughts and sensitivity to this situation. It is so important not to turn away. I recently listened to a podcast on Ezra Klein with Rabbi Sharon Brous... it is worth listening to as it relates to all of us. I’m truly grateful, Andrea for your service to all of us.
May you have a blessed and grateful Thanksgiving 🙏❤️
We are all connected and we need to spread all the goodness and love we can. The world is hurting so much these days and I am worried about the future for our children.
First, fair play to you for going so deep. Yes! This is what we’re confronted with! I’m struggling with these questions too.
As humans we always have the mystery of evil. Just like individuals go through periods of relative peace or turmoil, so do our various societies. It’s tough to parse it but it seems to be a particularly brutal time. Personally I have to parcel out news and curate sources to not be so disturbed. I’m watching sports and movies and listening to playlists, working, practicing. trying to modulate these encroaching horrors in my head.
Not only the wars, of course, although they are such a dark cloud but Covid has been a challenge, in that on some level we begin to regard each other as threats, even on a subconscious level. One hopes our practice can help us see through that veil.
I’m thinking about how yoga teaches santosha — contentment — and somehow, at the same time, a square honest look at the suffering and ephemerality of life. My Syrian Jewish grandmother used to say, “Nothing is easy, everything is hard.” She was right. But maybe at times we do get to that place where we feel right, in harmony.
And I love how you talk about distinguishing between fitting in, and knowing you do fit in, on a real level.
Yes, donate to DWB/MSN! Thank you!!! They’re great!!
I could not agree more about COVID. It has had a lasting effect that's hard to put one's finger on. It's really tough...like your grandmother used to say. And yet, we figure out how to carry on. ❤️
I’ve been thinking about how yoga teaches us not to turn away from suffering, but to witness it. Usually we apply this to ourselves, but I’ve been working with applying it to what is going on in the world too. We know that yoga teaches us that when we witness our own suffering we begin to see the wise action to take to alleviate it, and I’ve been looking at that too. It connects us to each other, and ourselves in that connection - and it’s a powerful practice in times like these.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this, I feel it too. ❤️
Thank you for sharing this internal process, Erin. It really resonates.
Thank you! I am constantly amazed at the negatively and deep seated anger that people have towards others. I can't understand it. I completely agree that the practices of yoga, meditation and breath are essential tools to use at this time. After using them for over 20 years, I have seen dramatic shifts in my patience, kindness and understanding. In the past, my temper would easily flare...especially dealing with challenging young kids. I'm embarrassed how I handled certain situations. I am forever grateful for my practice and the gifts that they brought into my life. I pray that others will recognize their behavior and seek out another way of being and acting.
Same, same, same Blythe! Embarrassed by past temper flares, so relieved to have so much on the mat and in the moment practice now to better handle things.
Thank you for your guidance during this extremely difficult time
Sending you a hug, Janice 🤗
I would not be the person I am today without going deeply into my yoga practice. As the heart of the world is heavy I can ask myself, how can I practice nonviolent communication? How can I practice right thought right action? How can I serve? It always comes back to us and it always starts with us. We are fortunate and I am forever grateful 🙏🏼✨🙏🏼✨🙏🏼✨
Love this, Andrea. I'm grateful for you!
Thank you so much for this and for the donations to DWB. I’ve been really struggling to find my own words around everything I’m feeling about the events in Israel and Palestine and their ripple effect around the world. Struggling to hold the small joys of my own life and to also bear witness to the horrors unfolding and the alarming anger and hatred erupting across the UK.
I was re listening to Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly last week and these words stood out to me to make some sense of all we seem to be facing: “Worrying about scarcity is our culture’s version of post traumatic stress and it happens when we’ve been through too much and rather than coming together to heal - which requires vulnerability - we’re angry and scared and at each others throats.”
Much love X
Alarming is the right word. And: always love me some Brene Brown. That's a book I happened to do the audio version for, too! Maybe will listen again. Hugs.
Absolutely beautiful and necessary reminder.
Thank you
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your thoughts and sensitivity to this situation. It is so important not to turn away. I recently listened to a podcast on Ezra Klein with Rabbi Sharon Brous... it is worth listening to as it relates to all of us. I’m truly grateful, Andrea for your service to all of us.
May you have a blessed and grateful Thanksgiving 🙏❤️
I will definitely listen to that podcast. Thank you, Kate. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Thank you Andrea. 💚
❤️ to you, Maria!
I like “We are all an Us” I feel for the people young and old who are caught up in the war between Israel and Palestine. Thank you Andrea
And I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving !
Thanks, Lori. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Thank you for your thoughtful and sensitive take on the current situation...truly appreciated.
❤️❤️❤️
This one goes straight to the heart!
We are all connected and we need to spread all the goodness and love we can. The world is hurting so much these days and I am worried about the future for our children.
Much love and have a wonderful Thanksgiving ❤️
First, fair play to you for going so deep. Yes! This is what we’re confronted with! I’m struggling with these questions too.
As humans we always have the mystery of evil. Just like individuals go through periods of relative peace or turmoil, so do our various societies. It’s tough to parse it but it seems to be a particularly brutal time. Personally I have to parcel out news and curate sources to not be so disturbed. I’m watching sports and movies and listening to playlists, working, practicing. trying to modulate these encroaching horrors in my head.
Not only the wars, of course, although they are such a dark cloud but Covid has been a challenge, in that on some level we begin to regard each other as threats, even on a subconscious level. One hopes our practice can help us see through that veil.
I’m thinking about how yoga teaches santosha — contentment — and somehow, at the same time, a square honest look at the suffering and ephemerality of life. My Syrian Jewish grandmother used to say, “Nothing is easy, everything is hard.” She was right. But maybe at times we do get to that place where we feel right, in harmony.
And I love how you talk about distinguishing between fitting in, and knowing you do fit in, on a real level.
Yes, donate to DWB/MSN! Thank you!!! They’re great!!
I could not agree more about COVID. It has had a lasting effect that's hard to put one's finger on. It's really tough...like your grandmother used to say. And yet, we figure out how to carry on. ❤️