“Oh the places you’ll go.”
–Dr. Seuss
As I was driving home from a visit with my new chiropractor, I realized what has been influencing me this month. Many things, so many things, but they all fall under the same umbrella. Exploration. From the endless desert vistas and calls to prayer of Morocco that struck my heart in surprising ways, to the rush and burble of water over my feet as I stand in the middle of a creek bed here in the Pacific Northwest on a warm summer day and contemplate the nature of change. We are like the running water, always changing, passing, transforming. Nothing to hold onto. Nothing is static. Not even stone, as it is shaped and smoothed by the flowing water.
Over the past few weeks I’ve added a few new books to my night stand. The one that is holding my attention at the moment–The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners. It’s a wonderful distillation of an essential Tibetan Buddhism text. I think of it as a starter book, accessible and easily understandable; and particularly pertinent as I navigate being there for my mom as her life changes in dramatic ways. Compassion is the guiding light and force as I explore how it changes me and my relationship with my mom. Side note: this book is for both living and dying.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been drawn to the beauty and magic of Native American flute music. Just north of Bend is the Warm Springs Reservation that is home to an artist and musician who crafts the most beautiful Native American flutes from Northwest Cedar, black walnut, and other woods. I am now the grateful owner of one his beautiful trail flutes, and am now learning how to play it. I may never be good at it, but it really doesn’t matter. It’s about the journey, after all. Oh, the places my imagination takes me as I hold the flute, smell the fragrance, and make sounds with the simple application of breath and fingers. If you’re curious about the flutes and the artist–Charles Littleleaf–find him here: https://www.eaglecanyonflutes.com/
Along with my ramblings on change, life/death, exploration, and learning new things–here are links to two new videos: Exercise Video of the Month [Moving Quad Stretch], and a 50-minute Yin Yoga [Wall Me Up] class that uses the wall as the major prop–super accessible.
In closing, I leave you with a prayer called the Four Immeasurables:
May all beings have happiness and
the causes of happiness.
May all beings be free from suffering
and the causes of suffering.
May all beings rejoice in the wellbeing of others.
May all beings live in peace,
free from greed and hatred.
🙏🏿🙏🏾🙏🏽🙏🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏼
Claudia Fountain Fitness + Yoga 