I’ve been writing about the Yamas for the last few weeks. If you’ve been keeping up recently, skip ahead to the next paragraph. If you want a refresher read on. Yoga is an 8-limbed path that when taken in order, leads to ultimate bliss. (yes, please). The first two limbs of the path are yama […]
Category: Spiritual Path
Satya
In my yoga classes recently we’ve been exploring yogic observances or restraints, referred to as the yamas. These recommended behaviors are the first of the 8 limbs in the yogic path. Ahimsa, non – violence, is the first yama. The second is truthfulness, Satya. “What’s so dangerous about the truth,” Carl Jung wrote, “a lie […]
Courage to Change
Humanity suffered a huge trauma from the pandemic. Young people (at least in America) are not emotionally equipped to cope or heal from this trauma. In the summer of 2020 we saw riots across the US. Opiate overdose deaths increased 41%. A year later, a family member became suicidal, requiring intensive mental health treatment. When […]
Intimacy of God
Q said that she had a spiritual experience from Aretha Franklin and George Michael’s song, “Knew You Were Waiting for me” When the river was deep, I didn’t falterWhen the mountain was high, I still believedwhen the valley was low, it didn’t stop me, no noI knew you were waiting, I knew you were waiting […]
The Spiritual Path
A path leads to a destination, right? If I get on the path it’s so that I will eventually reach a place. Like Nirvana or Heaven or a peace-filled mind and heart. Last night my friend said, “I just want to get through all of this and finish.” She, and most people I know, want […]
This Too Shall Pass
A lot of people are experiencing some heavy emotional stuff right now. I mean a lot. The pandemic itself may be over but the ripple effect seems to be resounding throughout the community. Megan’s brother died of an overdose, and Scott’s son committed suicide. Sandy’s daughter attempted suicide. Mary’s depression has mushroomed into a force […]
On Silence
When I was younger, in my late 20’s early 30’s, music was always on. The only time it was silent was when sleeping. I carried a transistor radio with me to listen to talk radio at my desk while working. Silence was a foreign idea. It didn’t occur to me to cultivate silence. During that […]
On Ahimsa
Yoga is more than a workout. It’s an 8 limbed philosophy that lays over all cultural and religious belief systems. It doesn’t matter your nationality, your race, your economic situation, the 8 limbed path is for all people. One of the 8 limbs is the Yamas, a set of principles that when practiced allow the […]
On the Deconstruction of the Self
Recently while feeling sad and a bit hopeless, my loving husband reminded me of how many obstacles I have overcome throughout my life. I pick the hardest things to do and then I succeed at that super hard thing. Power yoga with fused spine? Check. Single parenting and a challenging career? Check. Recovery from addiction […]
The Wildness of God
When I stop cajoling, negotiating, petitioning, and outright begging, that’s when I have surrendered.
Heather Dellapi 