There are three pillars that connect us to the here and now; Breath, Sensation and Sound. These three are happening virtually constantly, yet our attention flits about on the waves of memories and plans, ideas and dreams.

Some of you remember this line from Joni Mitchell’s song, The Circle Game. She playfully, and wisely, describes the seasons of our lives as going ‘round and ‘round. As Yogis, we bring awareness to this in our daily practices, observing how our needs and our goals shift over the years.

My ritual of late is to bring to mind something that drops me right into that delight. I remember something simple, known, ordinary that transports me reliably to wonder.

Why do we Yogis call standing upright Mountain pose? If standing well is akin to a mountain, what is that metaphor meant to teach us?

As I think about Gratitude this year on Thanksgiving I scroll through my photos and see, well, the things I love: big old trees, yoga poses, (blurry) pics of birds, friends and Sam, my partner.

In 1970, the US created Earth Day. One day, each year, to remember and celebrate our home and all the myriad life forms that inhabit her. For many this day marks not a celebration but a deepening sadness and feeling of hopelessness that is difficult to shake.

This is one of those lessons I have had to learn again and again: walk in the shoes of another. Especially someone (or thing) that annoys you.

Hey— Does anyone else sit in meditation and have errant thoughts drag you away? Oh, come on— we all do. It’s the nature of the mind to be vigilant: to look out for anything that might be dangerous, or at least perceived to be dangerous.