Week of 3/25:
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind
blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” –
Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
The experience of teaching in the Back Bay and walking between classes this time of year always inspires the recall of this favorite quote. I love how it speaks to the impermanence of life and practice and the challenges of acceptance and non-attachment. So easy to want to hold-on to the warmth of the sun, especially as some bitter winds strike without hesitation as you round a corner. Notice any tendencies to put off your personal happiness until winter is really over: “Can’t wait for Spring or Summer, so then I….”
Week of 4/1:
“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in
wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will
come again.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach
Change is inevitable. As we transition to spring, with the holidays of Easter and Passover, and the blooming of trees it is a time of renewal, rebirth, hope. We always have the opportunity to start fresh with more formal markers as we start each year, season, month, week, day; but also with each unrolling of the mat, with each new breath.