Equinox Newsletter - Updates, Free Am Practice, Dharma links and more…..
It’s Squirrel time! That time of the year when even if we do not think we are programmed by the seasons, we find ourselves scurrying towards winter like demented squirrels. And as the equinox and this recent harvest moon suggests, we could be resting on our laurels just a bit, reaping the delights of summer, and taking life a tad slower. But no, all our schedules shift and there is a buzz and a bother….especially in the US where it feels as if all life is on hold til November the 5th. At the same time, our anxieties keep us running around frantically. Let’s embrace Autumn in our practice and our pace, celebrating “the fields that rest after harvest”
September Midnight - Sara Teasdale
Lyric night of the lingering Indian Summer,
Shadowy fields that are scentless but full of singing,
Never a bird, but the passionless chant of insects,
Ceaseless, insistent.
The grasshopper's horn, and far-off, high in the maples,
The wheel of a locust leisurely grinding the silence
Under a moon waning and worn, broken,
Tired with summer.
Let me remember you, voices of little insects,
Weeds in the moonlight, fields that are tangled with asters,
Let me remember, soon will the winter be on us,
Snow-hushed and heavy.
Over my soul murmur your mute benediction,
While I gaze, O fields that rest after harvest,
As those who part look long in the eyes they lean to,
Lest they forget them.
BEFRIENDING - Theme for our Online October Classes
Online Yoga available by drop-in, month, or monthly auto-subscription - All times are in PST
Saturdays: October 6 Sunday, 12, 19, 26* 9 -10.15am (10/5 I am traveling so our first class will be on Sunday 6th instead)
Wednesdays October 9, 16, 23 7am Meditation; 7.30am Vinyasa; 8.30am Basics
Tuesday Work Out! with Michelle 8 - 8.45am
+ a new Restorative Practice recording available to subscribers in October to encourage Rest....
*Recording
The theme this month is aimed to counterbalance the intensity and judgementalism that we all fall prey to in this pre election era in this extraordinary country many on this database live in, and the whole planet is impacted by. Many of you are engaged in working towards a saner society, writing postcards, getting voters registered, going door to door and even if your life doesn't allow you time for this, our collective consciousness is yearning for simpler, less polarized times.
Election Practice: Befriending the Country/Globe! Thank you all of you who are out there - it is truly amazing how many folks have taken on some kind of election activity, spreading the word, and hopefully bringing their practice out to our communications and communities. From Spain I have been sending Vote Forward reminder letters to folks who live abroad and are entitled to vote; I hope to go to Nevada and Arizona through Common Power (recommended by friend of many of you Rebecca!) for a few days door to door. That's about all i can manage but perhaps I will see some of you out there.
Also If you are seeking something to do in your area and you lean left go to the Pod Save America crew's site, www.votesaveamerica.com
Also Indivisible , Vote Forward and Flip the Vote are pretty amazing organizations which I am sure many of you are familiar with.
If you need encouragement! to get involved, you might listen to a recent Guardian audio on how apathy is nectar for extremism.
PRACTICE! in WOBBLY TIMES…
FREE 20 minute Am Practice from MP - Just to get you going and away from worrying about the news for awhile! Available until the election if you are on this database.
Dharma Reflection (first 20 mins) regarding friendship internal and external, and the Wisdom of No Escape from Ayya Santacitta
Dharma Reflection - 24mins - Befriending, Discerning and Inconstancy - from Liz Powell
Meditation - 30mins - Emergence - from Gil Fronsdal - an interesting recent meditation encouraging dropping deep, below the surface…..
Meditation - 25mins - Warm, Soft, Light, Breath - Fall Equinox celebration from MP in 2021
Shakespeare: “ A friend is one, who knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow…..”
View of Spirit Camp - Site of Summer Solstice Retreat 2025
UPDATES:
Book Your Retreat Time Now - We all need it or will need it!!!
Local Classes in Ukiah have been cancelled due to my pre-election activity; instead…..
Rest and Recovery - date to be confirmed 11/9 or 11/16, 12- 3pm in Ukiah
Winter Solstice Celebration - 12/21 - Boonville, CA
Cuba International Trip - 1/12-1/18, 2025
Proposed 4 night Outdoor Meditation and Yoga Retreat at Pomo Tierra 4/9 - 4/13, 2025!
Summer Solstice Retreat 2025 - 6/20-25 at Spirit Camp, Albion, CA - Registration opened 9/1 and we have 6 spaces left in either dorm, camping, and commuter. Sign up now to claim your spot with a non-refundable deposit. Final payment due between 1/1 and 1/31/ 2025. All info here
Spanish Spa Retreat may continue in Sept 2025 or Sept 2026. Watch this space…..
2/1 - 7/31 Sabbatical - Besides my 2 retreats, I will be stepping back from a very regular weekly online yoga schedule. If sufficient interest exists, I will be keeping the first weekends of the month for yoga teaching: Friday Restorative, Sat am - Basics 7.45-8.45am + More Advanced 9 - 10.15am, Sunday DEEP Yoga Salon for teachers 7-9.30am. These will be 6 month programs that folks sign up by 1/1/25 and will include practice recordings appropriate to themes for the month. One option to continue our communities, when there are so many others out there. More info on this soon.
Meantime, back to squirrel time - below a little red squirrel that zipped across and around my practice space the other am here in Espana….
M