Category: Yoga

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The Divine Assails Us

I was reading Teilhard de Chardin quotes this morning and though many were poignant there was one that shone brighter than the rest.

“By means of all created things, without exception, the divine assails us, penetrates us, and molds us. We imagined it as distant and inaccessible, when in fact we live steeped in its burning layers”

― Teillard de Chardin


How often we are told that to be holy or blessed we must believe a certain way or say certain things or belong to a particular denomination. Today that’s all changed as even those who regularly attend churches are unable to do so. Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is within you.” No higher authority than that is there. Within each of us is the spark of life and that life has a divine origin even for the most heinous who inhabit the planet. Whether we love or despise those in our midst it matters not. They too are connected to this cosmic divinity. That isn’t just us either that’s all creation including the rabbits, squirrels, and our pets. That extends to the virus that is wreaking havoc on our world. That’s really beyond my comprehension. What can we do to put the genie back in the bottle? I have been praying more than normal. Praying for our world and all creation. Can prayer work? What does prayer look like for you? Is it wrote or it merely intention while doing yoga or some other form of meditation.

How will we respond? What can we do in the face of this pandemic? Why did this happen to us?

“In the final analysis, the questions of why bad things happen to good people transmutes itself into some very different questions, no longer asking why something happened, but asking how we will respond, what we intend to do now that it happened.”

― Pierre Teilhard De Chardin


Pray for those who you love and those who you hate too. Pray for the virus and pray for its remedy. Peace

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Look for the helpers

As this global pandemic appears to threaten us all it is easy to lose hope. At least it is for me. Anxiety and depression can take their toll too. Because of where we live I’ve been able to walk outside quite a bit and that has helped. Most people are keeping themselves socially distant. That’s good for everyone but sometimes social distance has become emotional distance. On Tuesday morning when I was beginning to despair I received a text message from a friend who volunteered to take my place in the local food pantry. She reasoned that being younger she’d be less susceptible to the virus. This moved me to realize that despite the angry rhetoric of some folks there are really wonderful people who think of others before themselves. It reminded me of a quote I recently saw on social media.

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
– Fred Rogers

Even though you may be shut in or locked down you can help with an encouraging word or a smile. You can send an email or write a letter to someone you know. One of the ways I’ve been helping is using the Gratefulness website to send an e-card to someone you know . I’ve been prayer walking and practicing yoga too. I believe that positive energy can make a difference in the world. There are many ways to help. You’ll be sure to find the one that works for you.

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Focus your positive energy for good

Today I saw in the news that the President of the United States is asking that Sunday March 15, 2020 be a day of prayer. That’s a great idea and coming from anyone else it probably would have been better received. He has after all been an incredibly divisive person who has done much to discredit the press, science and anyone else who has disagreed with him. However, that is not important now. What is important that we focus our collective energies on stopping this pandemic. We have seen many examples around the world of people reaching out to help others in their midst. Whether you are a believer or not is not important but each of us is made of energy and we can focus that energy in positive ways to stem and perhaps change the negative energy around us.

As an older person I’m very concerned for my own personal safety and as a person who could be a vector for the transmission of this deadly virus. I’ve been washing my hands much more than usual and use alcohol and bleach wipes which have dried my skin. I’ve prayed because that is something that I am comfortable doing. A little religion goes a long way for many in this world and its been one of the most divisive sources on our planet that anyone could ever imagine. Therefore my appeal is for a focus of positive energy. If you are religious that is fine. If you are not religious that is fine too. I practice yoga and I know that there are energy centers which we can summon and project out to help others and to help our world. I am hoping that you will join me in focusing this positive energy on the world around us.

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Evidence of Yoga being good for your brain

I read a piece on a blog tonight while eating dinner that featured recent research that indicates that yoga is good for your brain. The entire article is linked here.

“While practicing yoga, you are focused on your breath and mindfully aware of your postures,” said study author Neha Gothe, an exercise psychologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “These mental exercises seem to affect the way you think and focus outside of yoga practice. The practice also reduces anxiety and stress, and that in itself can lead to better cognitive performance.”

I’ve found that I am more relaxed as a result of my yoga practice. I probably am more alert too. Being more relaxed is conducive to learning. One of the practices I’ve learned in yoga is alternate nostril breathing. I’ve found this to be an effective way to focus, relax and unwind. I’ve done it while driving. I’ve done it before class too. I find that just a few minutes of yoga in the middle of the day give me the relaxation and focus I need to stay alert and engaged after lunch.