I remember where we were when my beloved late mentor Durgananda taught me the word 'madhya' (मध्यः ; the space between; the gap ), it's principle, and how to access meditation through the space where ever one finds the gap or pause. Before I was disabled, I would take long walks and listen to (focus on) the gap between the birds chirping. Are becoming bedridden, when my neighbor's dog barked, as she did often--a sweet yet at times relentless little yap, I focused on the pauses between her bark-- that pause created an effulgent space where there would have been constricted energy (most likely anger or frustration) had I focused on the noise rather than the gap (madhya) between.
Micheal, in 35+ years studying, practicing, and teaching the Four Yogas, etc (to other disabled folks as my seva), your poem is one of the most... **big smile**... glorious odes to the gap, the pause, that space that allows us to enter into stillness even amidst the most challenging and chaotic of times (reminiscing about lying on the pavement in Manhattan after being hit by the car-- complete stillness amid the chaos).
As your poem infers: there is always that space between; therfore there's always a choice.
I'm grateful for the remembrance of this important fact: no matter what, one can always access that space that pause-- especially 'kumbhaka', the space between the inhalation and exhalation, and vice versa.
This gift of stillness and peace is never not present. Ananda (आनन्दः /bliss) is our birthright. We can access it, as we all have experienced, through the pause you so graciously illustrated.
Thank for sharing this poem.
All great love and blessings / happy thoughts to everyone everywhere.
Thank you for your considerable effort in educating Americans about our Nation's history and how it applies to today's politics. Your work and book are great teaching tools. If only more people were interested in learning and understanding our history and current position. I love this picture, and it is one to view as one goes to sleep.
Robert Browning called that "one glorious blood-red, reeking into Cadiz Bay". But there's SNOW! first snow picture I've seen in LFAA. Pure, white, unalterable until someone travels over or through it. Metaphoric. Long live the real America.
Thanks, Heather. This lovely photo reminds me of Bing Crosby singing Red Sails in the Sunset. A soothing thought towards the close of s\a turbulent year.
Yes. It’s climate change. Here in Chicago looking over the lake I see red almost every morning. Was in France in the country when I saw the first one. It was a sunset so red that it was terrifying. Beautiful, but oh,so sad.
Virginia Witmer -- I think red sunrises aren't connected to "climate change". More like "weather change." There have been red sunrises and red sunsets ever since I've been alive (89 years). You might ask a sailor about it -- there's an old saying "Red skies in the morning sailor's warning. Red at night, sailor's delight." Has to do with water vapor in the air (morning) and dust at night. "Mrs. Google" has a lot to say on the subject!
Even the dusk and dawn look different. Ominous. Devious. The National Weather Service will shortly proclaim that dawn will soon be gone and dusk will no longer be a must. And the new weather director will deregulate the sun and moon.
Sleep well. Thank you for all you do. You are important to so many.
Repeated in rhyme:
Even the Dusk and Dawn seem different.
Ominous. Devious.
The National Weather Service will proclaim.
That Dawn will soon be gone.
And that Dusk will no longer be a must.
And the new Director will soon.
Deregulate the Sun and Moon.
Today is my birthday. What a wonderful gift. Thank you!!
Happy birthday. Let's make a resolution that this time next year, we will have notched some victories against Project 2025.
Happy Birthday Bill!
The happiest of birthdays to you, Bill!
Lucky guy Bill. What a nice present!!
Happy birthday 🎂
Happy Birthday, Bill.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Bill!
Morning, Lynnell. Have my eye out for a Eugene sunrise today; saw an amazing moonrise last night on my way east for a gig.
Happy Birthday, Bill! I hope you had a peaceful and joyous day. .♡🍬.•°•.🎂.•°•.🍬♡.
Happy Birthday 🎂🎈
Happiest of birthdays, Bill!🎈🎁🎂🎉
Happy birthday to you, Bill!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to you, Bill.
Happy Birthday Bill
''In Pause We Find Grace''
Soft whispers of morning light,
Awake the earth, a world made bright.
Time slows its endless, hurried race,
In stillness, we find a sacred space.
Clouds drift gently, a tranquil sea,
Each breath a hymn, serene and free.
No toil, no task, no worldly quest—
This is the essence of true rest.
The trees sway softly, their leaves converse,
Nature hums a soothing verse.
Feet on grass, hearts unbound,
In this pause, life's grace is found.
Let time dissolve, let worries cease,
Embrace the quiet, the tender peace.
For in this day, this sacred breath,
We honor life, and sidestep death.
A day of rest, a balm so pure,
For weary souls, it is the cure.
A gift to cherish, a moment to hold,
A truth eternal, timeless, bold.
Very beautiful; thank you, Michael.
Peaceful prose. Thank you, Michael.
Lovely, Michael. Thank you😊
Om Namah Shivaya
What a lovely poem, Michael.
I remember where we were when my beloved late mentor Durgananda taught me the word 'madhya' (मध्यः ; the space between; the gap ), it's principle, and how to access meditation through the space where ever one finds the gap or pause. Before I was disabled, I would take long walks and listen to (focus on) the gap between the birds chirping. Are becoming bedridden, when my neighbor's dog barked, as she did often--a sweet yet at times relentless little yap, I focused on the pauses between her bark-- that pause created an effulgent space where there would have been constricted energy (most likely anger or frustration) had I focused on the noise rather than the gap (madhya) between.
Micheal, in 35+ years studying, practicing, and teaching the Four Yogas, etc (to other disabled folks as my seva), your poem is one of the most... **big smile**... glorious odes to the gap, the pause, that space that allows us to enter into stillness even amidst the most challenging and chaotic of times (reminiscing about lying on the pavement in Manhattan after being hit by the car-- complete stillness amid the chaos).
As your poem infers: there is always that space between; therfore there's always a choice.
I'm grateful for the remembrance of this important fact: no matter what, one can always access that space that pause-- especially 'kumbhaka', the space between the inhalation and exhalation, and vice versa.
This gift of stillness and peace is never not present. Ananda (आनन्दः /bliss) is our birthright. We can access it, as we all have experienced, through the pause you so graciously illustrated.
Thank for sharing this poem.
All great love and blessings / happy thoughts to everyone everywhere.
💜
: )
Beautiful! Thank you.
Thank you for your considerable effort in educating Americans about our Nation's history and how it applies to today's politics. Your work and book are great teaching tools. If only more people were interested in learning and understanding our history and current position. I love this picture, and it is one to view as one goes to sleep.
"Red sky at morning, sailor take warning."
Well, there will always be another to whatever the day brings.
Thank you for your work, professor.
‘Red sky at night, sailors’ delight’
Spectacular winter Maine sunrise!! Kudos to Allen!
Absolutely beautiful sunrise. Thank you Heather and sleep well.
Stunning sunset. Rest well Heather. I’m sure there’s a cluster of a week ahead!
Robert Browning called that "one glorious blood-red, reeking into Cadiz Bay". But there's SNOW! first snow picture I've seen in LFAA. Pure, white, unalterable until someone travels over or through it. Metaphoric. Long live the real America.
Visited Cadiz in 2013 so agree 100% with Robert Browning’s take. And yes, snow, in all of its glory, can be challenging.
Thank-you! Know how very much we appreciate you, your wisdom, and your guidance! Tale care of you!
Thanks, Heather. This lovely photo reminds me of Bing Crosby singing Red Sails in the Sunset. A soothing thought towards the close of s\a turbulent year.
Keith, I think Tab Hunter also may have recorded it in the mid to late 50s. Memories!
Thank you for sharing the beauty. Rest well.
Thank you for everything you do. Enjoy your night. I'm so happy you got to spend the day with friends and family!
Also what a beautiful pic 😍 one of my favorite things about living on the East coast is the sunrises it brings. 💙
Good god, is that real?!!
Yes. It’s climate change. Here in Chicago looking over the lake I see red almost every morning. Was in France in the country when I saw the first one. It was a sunset so red that it was terrifying. Beautiful, but oh,so sad.
Virginia Witmer -- I think red sunrises aren't connected to "climate change". More like "weather change." There have been red sunrises and red sunsets ever since I've been alive (89 years). You might ask a sailor about it -- there's an old saying "Red skies in the morning sailor's warning. Red at night, sailor's delight." Has to do with water vapor in the air (morning) and dust at night. "Mrs. Google" has a lot to say on the subject!
There are also are (or were recently) wild fires in MA that put a lot of particulates into the atmosphere in and around New England.
Hogwash! This photo (which is beautiful) reflects weather, not climate.
Even the dusk and dawn look different. Ominous. Devious. The National Weather Service will shortly proclaim that dawn will soon be gone and dusk will no longer be a must. And the new weather director will deregulate the sun and moon.
(I had to say it. Sorry to be a party pooper.)
Sleep well!
Thank you Heather. See you tomorrow