San Francisco: A duration for Reflection
I grew up in a family that was, at best, Jewish-lite. We held Passover seders while chomping on Italian bread and ordered Chinese food on Hannukah. But there were little nuggets of spiritual reflection tossed into my nontraditional and secular spiritual life. And as I go deeper into my yoga practice, I see more and more crossover amoung my Jewish cultural upbringing and the Indian and Buddhist customs we yogis partake in—like finding joy in singing in a language I don’t fully understand, considering charity a central part of my spiritual practice, and fasting to cleanse the body and soul.
I mention that considering that week marks a special date in the Jewish calendar. It’s the week within Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. The main concept behind the week is forgiveness: asking for it and doling it out. It’s plus about making mental notes of what we’d like to change or usher in. All very yogic concepts.
This day of year is considered auspicious and meditative in other cultures, as well. Both the Muslim month of Ramadan (a instance of
Looking for some yogic ways to celebrate that day of year? Here are a few ideas:
+ Do the four-day Samavesha course or the AcroYoga intensive, both at Yoga Tree that weekend. Samavesha (which starts Thursday) is a meditative and introspective retreat-like workshop offered in the Tantrik lineage; AcroYoga is a fun and invigorating practice that teaches you to trust others to support you.
+ Spend Yom Kippur with one of the inclusive and progressive temples in the city, like Keneset Halev, which includes kirtan and meditation in its services. The services are held in Golden Gate park on October 8 and 9.
+ Take the Karma and Meditation workshop with Ravi Nathwani that Sunday at the Mindful Body.
And please write in and tell us what is the most auspicious or transforming moment of year for you!
Original post by Kreg Weiss
