Who we are…
What we’re made of…
What we’ve been through…
All that has come before…
Take it in.
Honor it.
It has its place.
Made you who you are.
No denying each piece of the puzzle, each chapter of the book.
What we might call the good, the bad, the ugly…
What is ugly?
What is beauty?
It is one and the same.
Our injuries become our scars,
become our learning,
become our knowledge,
become our experience,
our anger, our grief, our compassion, our love, our empathy….
…all become our capacity to hold all of this & each other in such a big, dynamic, bold, powerful & vulnerable way…
Let us do this for ourselves,
- for our loved ones
- for our friends
- for those we just met
••those we don’t know
••those we think we don’t like
••those who are different from us:
skin color, religion, gender identity, socioeconomic status,
education, culture, language, dress, fashion, accent,
country of origin, who they love, how they love…
…and including Mother Earth & every creature & mineral.
We are here to be caretakers of each other & ourselves.
We are family -
- mathematically, (with time and the number of generations going back) it’s clear to see we are
•related•connected•
- spiritually
- emotionally
- mentally.
We can understand how universal our experiences are even with all of their uniqueness & diversity.
We are more alike than different.
Open to the moments you can see & feel this…
These are good moments,
•Important moments,
•Deeply connected moments
•Blessed moments
•Sacred moments
Moments made of joy, bliss, & beauty,
right alongside of pain & disaster & failings,
right alongside of loss & conflict -
- our resilience & capacity
•to repair •to renew •to rejoice
•to receive, receive, receive…
…all the good that is present around us & within us, and to cultivate that in ourselves, in this amazing body, vessel, spirit, soul we were given / brought into this lifetime…
so we can…
+ give &
+ shine &
+ love &
+ understand &
+ be present...
for each other,
for ourselves...
for each other,
for ourselves...
for each other,
for ourselves.
We are caretakers.
Live it.
Know it.
Embrace it.
Own it.
Do it.
Thank you for all you do.
We need you.
We need each other.
We are interconnected & we all make a beautiful puzzle, afghan, picture, quilt…
TOGETHER!
(Written by Angela Sciortino Cays, December 2022, edited 1/2/23)
The above poem is an offering that came to and through me a few weeks ago during a silent meditation with our sangha. I have been sharing it in my yoga classes and wanted to share it here for New Year’s Day.
This is part of the dharma for our next Kirtan (with the same title) at Highland Yoga (on 1/29/23) as a continuation of the dharma from our last Kirtan called:
Falling in Love. Finding Your Bliss.
Shining Your Light. Sharing your Love.
*Scroll down to a previous post for a video clip.*
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Beginning Anew with Gratitude: A Kirtan
at Highland Yoga, Kinnelon, NJ
January 29, 2023
2-4pm
$35
Pre-register: https://momence.com/s/81110610
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Reiki Share
If you have been attuned to Reiki in the Usui Tradition at any level and are eager to practice and keep the energy flowing, join us for an upcoming Reiki Share! These gatherings have been so meaningful, affirming and empowering in providing a space to connect, give & receive with like minded, hearted and embodied people who share in this practice and way of life. This 2 hour session will begin with a meditation to tune into the Reiki energy, a sharing circle to briefly mention our successes and/or inquiries for growing our practice, and then transition into hands on practice with a chance for reflection & feedback from partners and the group. We will practice with hand positions and/or intuitive practice on tables and chairs. We have been closing with a powerful group Reiki connection circle.
Pre-Registration Required:
https://momence.com/s/78510417
Cost: $25
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Save the date...
Beginning Anew with Gratitude: A Kirtan
at Naturally Yoga, Glen Rock, NJ
March 12, 2023
2-4pm
$35
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You can also contact studios for private sessions including yoga, meditation, Reiki, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping.
