Editor's note: It’s odd that PositiveLIte.com has never really featured a religious perspective of living with HIV in our pages before. But Brother Christopher Sale (below, right) happened to write to us and we were immediately interested in the prospect of him sharing his rather unusual story.

Christopher told me this about himself. “In 2008 I nearly died from AIDS and drug use. By the grace of God I'm still here. I'm now a Catholic religious brother. I'm the first openly gay man with AIDS to ever start a religious order in the history of the church. My journey with AIDS and being a Catholic brother has really changed my life. My first blog was Gutter to Grace. You can read it here. I'm 61. Went to Catholic schools. Taught 8th grade religion until I was bullied out by the students for being gay. I came out when I was 20 and went into a 25 year relationship. And as you can see I'm a totally changed person. I'm the founder of the Brother of Padre Pio and I'm trying to start the Padre Pio Help Center for those dealing with HIV and AIDS. I'm also involved with the homeless and poor. The church made my calling very difficult because of being my gay and having AIDS. But I broke down every barricade they put up.”

The following article by Christopher first appeared in The South Pasadena Patch. 

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Throughout my many months of blogging, I have not talked about the personal side of having AIDS. AIDS is my never ending battle of survival.

I am an extremely private person but I feel called to tell you about my 4 year journey of living with AIDS. The highs and the lows.

Three weeks before April 29, 2008 I was told that I was HIV-positive. Needless to say, the initial shock was overwhelming. I remember being in a state of confusion.

My first reaction was to deny the seriousness of my diagnosis. "OK," I said to myself. "Many gay men have HIV. In fact many of the men I know have been HIV-positive for years and seem to be doing just fine."

Two days later, I was sent to a clinic for a blood test. I didn't want to go for that second test. I talked myself out of the importance of the test. My roommate could see that my nerves were on edge and convinced me that I needed to go through with the blood test. He kept his promise and went with me.

I'll never forget that day.

I sat in a waiting room where HIV and AIDS pamphlets were on every table. Red ribbons adorned the walls. Reality was setting in. Other men in the waiting room were there for the same reason. I played mind games with myself trying to determine which was the sickest patient.

Trying to visualize my future brought tears in my eyes. I threatened to leave. My roommate consoled me. I took the test and was told to come back on April 29.

The blood test would reveal my T-cell count and would determine my condition. This caused me more anxiety. I was very ignorant about HIV and AIDS. It had been my understanding that HIV and AIDS are one and the same. I lacked education about it.

On April 29, 2008 I went back to get my results. The nurse's compassionate demeanor told me that my condition was serious. She told me my T-cells were 140 and asked me if I knew what that meant. As I told her. "No." She said, "It means you have full-blown AIDS."

The shock protected me from a full break down. She comforted me and told me of the options available with different medications. She said, "AIDS is no longer a death sentence." "No," I thought. "But it sure helps to numb reality."

She told me that my addiction to drugs was going to cut my life short. I had to stop using. How would I battle AIDS and drug use? Then she told me that I was anemic. My world was collapsing.

Depression took over. I got in bed and didn't say another word for days. I felt everything was useless, and I didn't care about anything.

Out of that silence came the realization that using drugs was the least of my worries. I used drugs to escape my reality. Flashbacks flooded my mind of men who died horrific deaths from AIDS. Not wanting to die a horrible death, I tried to overdose on drugs.

Another patient at the clinic asked what my T-cells count was. When I told him, his response was, "Oh you're terminal." Another uninformed person sentencing me to death. I later realized that we are all sentenced to death when we are born.

Those remarks only added to my depression, shame and self-loathing. I had done this to myself. My days were numbered, but they were numbered from birth. I indulged my morbidity and shopped for funeral arrangements, looked into getting a will, being buried or cremated, inquired to the suffering that I would experience and wondered how many exact days that I had left.

I wondered who would ever want to love me, hug me, touch me or cherish me again? Would I tell people upfront that I had AIDS or would I wait? Would this news be received as the plaque?

My roommate encouraged me to fight but despite his support, I felt utterly alone. The days of my life were numbered. I counted each day as precious and then these remaining days of my life were replaced with a deep vacant, emptiness of dying alone.

The mirror showed me that I was slowly wasting away. I became afraid to look at myself. A once well-built, healthy man allowed himself to self-destruct. I never dreamed that I would find myself with AIDS.

After a fall, I ended up at the local emergency room with a torn ligament and cuts on my face. I told the nurse I had AIDS and asked her to clean up the blood and put a bandage on me. She refused and handed me the bandage to put on myself. Not one person in the emergency would touch me.

I was at rock bottom. I went to bed and stayed there for a few months.

The day I got out of bed, I lethargically looked out my front window and became aware that life was passing me by. It was a vibrantly beautiful day, and everything seemed colorful and alive—people out walking their dogs, birds chirped in rhythm and the sun danced on the leaves of trees.

I realized that life wasn't quitting on me, I was quitting on life. A thought flowed through my head, "Time to man up and fight for my life."

I was determined to fight, new found energy pulsed through me, and I got in my car and headed for the nearest Catholic church. I began praying at the Church three times a day.

I had days where I felt that God did not give a damn, and I was wasting my time. I begged Our Lady of Guadalupe to intercede. I felt like a child running to his mother for consolation. I asked Her to help me, and I made a promise to Our Lady that I would devote the rest of my life as a religious brother.

Within three months, my T-cells went from 140 to 160. Not a big deal to some, but it was to me. I threw all the drugs away that I was taking to deaden the emotional pain and never had a craving for them again. This was nothing short of a miracle. I knew that no one could predict my death sentence and that my fate was in the hands of God.

My health returned to 95%. The past 4 years I have battled pneumonia and several stomach infections. I fear being in crowds, make sure I eat in clean restaurants and also maintain a clean living environment. Oftentimes, I feel as though I live in a bubble.

I have been miraculously blessed. I know with God in my life that I will be just fine. At 61, I don't foresee a cure in my lifetime. My stay of execution is at the hands of God. For the second time, God has called me to the religious life. My sexuality caused be to deny that first call but I answered His second call. Though I am battling AIDS, my life is entwined with the crucifix, and this is my cross.

Many people say I should be out living it up. They don't understand that I am living it up with God. God is my ultimate party. And everyday he grants me a new gift. The gift of life.

Br. Christopher Sale B.P.P.

As we stride into 2012, it’s time to reflect on our connections to the world.  Deep within the psyche our thoughts transcend to the conscious, sub-consciousness and super- conscious mind.  In some circles it is known as the divine incarnate within us.

There is a saying in Sanskirt, “Tat tvam asi.”  It means “That art thou,” or "You are that, I am that." It means we all are of the one source; we are of everything and nothing. Tat tvam asiis found in the Upanishads, and refers to our experience of "identity" with Brahman.  Brahman is the one supreme universal spirit.  When we can see Brahman in all things, the basis for our love of others is that they also are one with Brahman. I have spent many years contemplating this concept.  

In this article, I have chosen to portray the spiritual and religious essence of our being through the writing and spiritual experiences of five gay/queer men. These men have made remarkable strides in gay spirituality and LGBT rights.  They are leaders and visionaries and have contributed immensely to the body of work for queer communities.  They have opened the doors to gently nudge us into exploring a deeper sense of our belonging in the mystical world of spirituality and sensuality, be it western or eastern.   Their literary works, spiritual wisdom and journeys speak to the core of who we are.  They are: Joey Crinita, Christopher Isherwood, Richard Albert (Ram Dass), Mark Thompson and Andrew Harvey.

I write of contemporary gay western mystics. The oldest queer mystic that I have ever read about is the Sufi mystic Shah Hussain who fell in love with a Hindu man Madho Lal in the 16^th century in Pakistan. Hussain expressed his love by adopting his friend's name. He would call himself Madho Lal Hussain. His poetry remains popular and millions throng his grave at the Mughal era garden, Shalamar Bagh, in Lahore, to celebrate Mela Charaghan (the Festival of Lights) every March.” Hundreds of years later their love for each other is still celebrated in Pakistan. Sufi Islam is the mystical sect of Islam.  

Joey Crinita, Our very own Canadian gay spiritualist and mystic, I have had the privilege of knowing Joey for over 20 years. He has been instrumental in sharing spiritual and esoteric knowledge, meditation techniques, and in bringing an understanding of religion to many in the gay, lesbian, bi and trans communities.  Joey’s warmth and kindness interjects a spiritual force that invites the seeker into knowing  and understanding his or her place in this world.  Joey latest book This Medium’s Life speaks of his growing years as a young gay men and finding religion and God. The book is available via amazon.com. His other books include, The Medium Touch, A New Approach to Mediumship, From Chains to Wings, The Journey Into Spirit and Healing Poems of Spirit.

Christopher Isherwood His novel spawned the movie A Single Man. He also spent close to three decades learning from Swami Prabhavananda in India, learning spirituality, religion and the God within.  He also translated the  book Sermon on the Mountain –based on Christ`s teachings.  Swami Prabhavananda was a follower of Shri RamaKrishna who embodied God-like experiences on earth.  Christopher was told by Swami Prabhavananda to see God in his lover/partner. It was a challenge for Christopher as it would be for most of us mortals.  Christopher`s other contributions to spiritual writing include, Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God, by Prabhavananda and Isherwood;  Vedanta for Modern Man (1945); Ramakrishna and His Disciples; Essentials of Vedanta; My Guru and His Disciple,

Ram Dass I used to listen to Ram Dass talks and his readings and it never dawned on me he was gay until much later. His birth name was Richard Albert.  He was a professor of psychology at Harvard University, worked at Yale University and Stanford.  He is one of the most enlightened contemporary spiritual leaders of our time and well known for his working relationship with Dr. Timothy Leary. He is also the author of the best seller, Remember, Be Here Now.  

During the 80’s Richard was going through his own spiritual search.  His quest for spiritual knowledge was intense. With few teachers available, he traveled to India in 1967 and there he met Bhagavan Das,

Bhagavan guided “Richard barefoot from temple to temple, and began teaching him basic mantras (sacred chants) and asanas (yoga postures), as well as how to work with spiritual beads.   After a few months, Bhagavan Das led Richard to his guru, Neem Karoli Baba (also known as Maharaj-ji) at the foothills of the Himalayas.  Maharaj-ji soon became Richard’s guru and gave him the name "Ram Dass," which means "servant of Lord Rama." Under the guidance of Maharaj-ji, Ram Dass was instructed to receive teaching from Hari Dass Baba, who taught in silence using only a chalkboard.”   

A good story on the power or lack of LSD: Richard realized he had met a special human being in Hari Dass Baba. He came to appreciate Hari Dass Baba even more, “the day Baba asked him about the tiny pieces of paper he was eating.  “LSD, Richard responded.”  Baba replied, “Give me some.” Baba took 915 micrograms of LSD (the average dose is 50 to 70 micrograms). He waited with interest for the outcome of the acid trip his teacher was about to have. But he observed with astonishment, the acid didn’t change Baba. The LSD had no effect on him.  Baba lived in an expanded state of consciousness that the drugs temporarily created for Richard.  He knew he had found the map-reader to teach him the mysteries he longed to understand.  These life changing experiences in India inspired Ram Dass to write the contemporary spiritual classic, Remember, Be Here Now.  Richard teaches that everyone is a manifestation of God and that every moment is of infinite significance. For an e-copy of the classic book, see here and his website.

There are numerous videos online on addiction, relationships and love, by Ram Dass. Here is one on Talking About Being Gay, Being Soul Friends, and Just Being. 

Mark Thompson, A writer who embodies the spiritual gay essence.  In the late 1980’s I had just read The Gay Spirit: Myth and Meaning by Mark. I was so moved by the jewels of wisdom in the book that I called Mark then when he worked at the Advocate.  It was a book that truly touched my soul and what it meant to be queer.

Mark interviewed Ram Dass in 1994 about being gay for his second book The Gay Soul: Finding the Heart of Gay Spirit and Nature.   Most people in the spiritual/ meditative communities who knew of Ram Dass did not know he was gay. Likewise many in the gay community had never heard of Ram Dass.  Mark’s third book in the trilogy was Gay Body: A Journey Through Shadow to Self. Through the books I heard about the Radical Faeries, a group that still exists today. You will read about Harry Hay, the founder of the first gay political group on gay rights and founder of Gay Pride. Harry’s vision of Gay Pride was spiritual; I wonder what he would say of Gay Pride now.  

In an excerpt from the Gay Body, we read about the archetype of queer love - the Double. “We see the Double overtly reflected in the deeds of men who have bonded together for the sake of achievement.” “The Double is one the most important and ascendant elements within a gay male psyche.”  “Myths are sacred time. Myths are pertinent to psychological understanding ……..”  "They transcend the daily condition of our life and take us to another world.  Sometimes it even holds promise of a better way. ”   

Andrew Harvey My previous partner gave me a cassette titled, Gay Mysticism: Ecstasy and Transfiguration through Divine Love. Listening to Andrew’s spiritual awakening via eros was mind blowing and when he talked of his vision it was addictive.  Even more coincidentally, it had all happened on his return to India.  Andrew was born in India and left for the west and returned to India. While in India, he had intense spiritual/religious experiences that solidified his yearning of a gay religious sense of being.  When I read of his experiences it opened the doors in my own being and sense of identity that I intuitively understood. His experiences validated and deepened my beliefs.    

In his new book The Hope: a Guide to Sacred Activism, he defines Sacred Activism as “a force of compassion in action destined to midwife the birth of a new humanity able to co-create with the Divine a new world.”  More writing by Andrew at Institute for Sacred Activism,

It is my hope that each of us delve a little deeper into our soul to search for our place in this universe and make this a better and happier world. Blessings. 

 

Part one of Devan's feature is here.

For numerous racialized LGBT, while some families will accept them, the families can face social exclusion from extended family members, friends and neighbors.  In light of this reality, many racialized LGBT weigh the pros and cons of coming out western-style. We have to recognize the coming out model we have adhered to in the last 25 years is based on the experiences of white, middle- and upper-middle class lesbians and gays.

Meem a lesbian support group in Lebanon advocates “Humans must have options vs. a binary system to adhere to.  “Meem rejects the binary between the closet and coming out – just like we reject gender and sexual binaries.”

Meem echoes, “Coming out” is often perceived as a standard validation of one’s identity, a milestone.  One that legitimizes our sexual/gender identity, our sense of pride, our very own life as a queer or transgender person in this bedroom, this toilet, this office, this classroom, this building, this institution, this street, this neighborhood, this city, this country, this region, this world. When I come out, whether I am aware of it or not, wherever I happen to be in the world, I am actually locating myself and ascribing to an internationally recognized LGBT spectrum of progress.  In Meem, we’re ambiguously visible. This ambiguity becomes anti-productive to our movements when we situate our politics within an International (read “Western”) framework of coming out /visibility.”

As a racialized queer man who has lived in Toronto for over 30 years I have seldom identified with the gay social senses in North American; the taste in “gay culture” or the media version of gay/queer.  The longer I live in the pink bubble, the less I identify with the labels. It’s suffocating to be boxed in.

When we dissect the "norms” created by gay/queer culture in North America: gay men like to  patronize bathhouses, gay men like quickies, gay men are into open relationships,  gay men must identify as top, bottom, versatile, butch, passive, etc.  In my circles, we rebel against these imposed norms. From my observation, numerous gay men have never experienced intimacy and yet long for it.  I believe many gay men are seeking intimacy but in the process experience a hundred heart breaks in a hyper-sexualized gay culture.  When gay men hold hands in public it is all too often a political statement vs. one based on intimacy.

I have come to view these imposed norms and labels as dismissive of the multidimensional aspect of our human nature and our choice of just being.  Why do we have to subscribe to a series of gay social prescriptions just because of who we chose to love?  Many racialized LGBT have entirely different values, norms, beliefs based on their cultural and spiritual/religious practices. However, this seldom gets spoken in the dominant white LGBT movement.

So what gives in the end?  For myself I have started discarding the layers of North American gay/queer labels and norms.  It gives me the freedom to taste what my soul desires without being caught in the politics and cross-fire of the queer soul.   Every now and then I look in the mirror and say to myself, “I love you.”

As we embark on 2012, here are a couple of simple exercises to reclaim your inner-self.

Exercise 1:  Perform this at the end of the day. Have a small mirror and lay down on your bed. Have a writing journal and pen by your side. Hold the mirror up and look at your face and scan your face and look at each feature closely. Observe your forehead, chin, ears and facial features.   Study the contours of your face and look deep into your eyes. What are the feelings that come to you?  Put the mirror down and jot down your  feelings.

Exercise 2:  Lying in bed, hold the mirror up.  Smile at yourself, the way you would at someone you love and care about deeply.  Smile to yourself and say out loud, “I deeply and completely accept myself. Even though I have …………. I deeply and profoundly accept myself.” I love myself very much and I am absolutely gorgeous.” “I love myself very much.”  Say it with convictions and believe it.  Repeat at least three times.

Now kiss your reflection in the mirror-just like you would kiss a lover or partner.  Observe your face as you perform the kiss. Notice the emotions that arise. Notice the reflection in your eyes. What do you feel? Joy, sadness, confusion or wow!  Note down the thoughts in your journal.  Inquire what those feelings mean to you as we all give each feeling a meaning.  If the meaning does not serve you well, it is time to let it go.

One of the benefit of lying on the bed, is that you notice gravity has its benefits. The facial lines are less and you look remarkably youthful. Now that’s  a perfect way to kick start 2012!!

Have a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR -  and the best of life! 

For many years I have contemplated the concept of coming out from a Eurocentric perspective. Here's a simple question: if we all have come out, why is there still a high prevalence of mental health issues, a lack of self-esteem, self-confidence, self–respect and self love, intimacy issues and internalized homophobia in the gay men’s community that bars institutional and societal homo/bi/transphobia.  What are we missing?

For me coming out  occurs when I am in my traditional clothes in the tropics.  I feel totally free, devoid of any sexual politics and am just being.

I read a recent article by Ibrahim in his blog on Coming In and Out of The Closet (Ibrahim identifies as gay, and is also HIV positive.  He is a Muslim from the Middle East (or the politically correct word is, west of Asia). Ibrahim was writing on the cultural meaning of “coming into my world” vs. coming out.  For me, his writing was a breath of fresh air.  I have lived in the west for 32 years; and have heard the mantra of ‘come out, come out’ over and over.  Folks are berated for not coming out.  But for many people from non-western cultures, coming out can be a Eurocentric approach to reclaiming one’s sexual orientation.

In workshops I have presented on racialized LGBT and the concept of “coming out”, some racialized LGBT folks have mentioned coming out is not on top of their list of priorities.  One participant at the workshop said, “I am so glad you addressed the issue of coming out. From my race and culture, this coming out is a white thing.  We do not see the need to come out and tell everyone.”

Some racialized LGBT persons ask “what am I coming out to?  Do I get a prize?”

While coming out by and large means universally embracing your sexual orientation, it is a much more complex process.  I know of numerous gay/MSM men outside North America who are very content, maybe even blissful, without ever coming out.  So what gives?

In his blog, Ibrahim states “ . . . many would argue that I need to follow this phase with a coming-out and gay-pride phase if I want to prove my sincerity.”  He strongly objects and believes that gay pride should not be an essential factor in the process. He says  “I can accept gayness as nothing less than being straight; however, I do not see why I should see it as more. I do not think I need to wear a pink thong and wave rainbow flags in the gay parade to be at the status of normal and stable mentality. My wish is to be 100 percent honest when I say that I see a person who is gay as just as different as someone who has green eyes.”

Like Ibrahim, I also view gay pride celebrations, especially Toronto Pride, with ambivalence.  But my deeper question is, “have you come out fully to yourself. Do you accept yourself for who you are in every way? Are you proud of you, regardless of what anyone tells you?”

While we all seek external validation of who we are, I believe the internal validation is even more important. It comes down to “do you love yourself for who you are? Can you look in the mirror and tell yourself, “I love you, imperfections and all?”

For Ibrahim, “coming out of the closet seems to be the measure to how stable the person is by stating that he's reached self acceptance. In fact, LGBT persons who live in Muslim communities are doing relatively well mentally, even though some of them are still "in the closet."  Interestingly, they have decided pn another route: not to come out but rather invite people they trust in to their closet.  It's the "coming in the closet" option -- they decide with whom to share this special thing. They will ask you to explore the secrets inside this closet once they trust you.”

From a Eurocentric viewpoint “their choice should not be seen as less than the choice to come out of the closet by any means.”  Many racialized LGBT value the importance of family connections and extensions vs. being an individual.  Ibrahim emphasis, “This smart choice is their way of compromising their wish to preserve their societal values, and yet to practice a normal human behavior of sharing.  One must applaud this smart maneuver.  Huge difference lies between staying in a locked closet where no air, no feelings and no emotions can circulate (which makes this closet toxic) and a closet that is big enough even to allow people inside next to the person - a safe, protected closet.”

In the second part, we explore other alternatives of coming out from queer women across the world and two simple exercises of embracing  your absolutely beauty and queerness. Stay tuned!

 

It’s the most awful thing.  The alarm is going off and you’re half conscious laying there in bed trying to figure out how on earth it can be morning already.  Rolling over and trying to stand on your feet, after several snooze button tests you try to figure out after all that sleep why on earth you are still so tired.

Have you ever just stood in line at a bank or grocery store and just for a few seconds dozed off?  Or pulled up on the couch and curled in after dinner for a bit only to find yourself still unsettled?  Maybe not eating enough or not getting to bed on time are contributing factors.  Many of us can use work in those areas and they are definite possibilities.

But perhaps it’s something else.  Rest.  It’s something we all want to do but never seem to have time for.  No matter how busy we are in life there never seems to be enough time to relax.  We sometimes go to extremes in order to obtain it.  We take large fanciful trips abroad. Then the bills become daunting so that you have to work harder to compensate for the time you weren’t working  “You can rest when you’re dead!” is a popular motto and perhaps that works for some.  But is it possible to have a great, fulfilling and active life and still be fully rested ?

Doctors prescribe it to patients.  Bosses suggest it to employees . But where in this hustle  did someone ever teach us how to rest?

Hi.  I’m Daniel.  I’m going to be your Rest Teacher today!

Earlier I wrote an article about breathing. We learned there is importance in pausing for a moment. More recently I wrote an article about Time - taking the opportunity to plan for the things you desire for your life. But many of my students are coming to my yoga classes for is a desire for less stress in their lives. What they are usually referring to is a desire for more rest and relaxation.

How do we go about doing it? It’s actually easier than you think. It almost seems too easy. I could go into the mechanics of how and when the body calms down and the brain slows down, but ultimately I’d like to keep this quite simple and not ruin the magic of the process.

First, when I refer to rest, I'm not talking about sleep. Think of those times when you woke to find yourself tired. Although you were sleeping, you never reached a state of rest. They are two very different places. What rest is trying to do is bring us to a place between action and movement and unconsciousness.  Perhaps why many of us can’t reach this place is because of lack of sleep. We get so little of it that we hit the pillow and then within seconds are out like a light. A truly rested person takes about 10-15 minutes to fall asleep. We are not talking about meditation.  Meditation is much more active than rest. (An article on meditation will come soon.)  What we aim for is a place where the mind, body and spirit are at a place of inaction but still conscious and awake.  It’s a place we’re not trying to get to or forcing ourself to maintain, but one that happens more by accident as we let go.

What I would like to offer up is an opportunity to practice resting. This will be a one month challenge from December 1 to January 1 where we can try to practice resting together. I have created a Facebook event here:

The directions are pretty simple.. The effects, however, can be profound. The yoga posture that is going to be used in this is savasana – the corpse pose.To practice this, simply lay down on the floor, carpet, yoga mat, towel, (not a bed or the couch) and be still in the posture.

I have included a video on savasana (resting pose) done by two of my friends and colleagues – Jackie and Shan - below.

I have set three levels of difficulty for this challenge, all based on time - five minutes, 10 minutes or 20 minutes in savasana, once a day. Try to aim for 20 minutes a day, but I realize that isn’t always possible for those of us who are on the go.

Props such as an eyebag, bolsters or blocks for under the knees etc can be used. Ultimately it's about taking time for yourself, your own life and your own happiness, to be still. This is to be practiced beyond your regular yoga classes, if that is part of your practice. They can be done with friends or family if you are doing this as a challenge together, but ultimately done outside of a yoga class teaching setting as a part of your daily life.

Things to consider making this work even better:

1. Stay in the posture for the full duration of time (20min if you are doing that challenge everyday). Set a timer to help remember when it's time to end.
2. Keep the room and background noise down. Quiet works better, but if some music must be played, keep it soft, and at really low volume.
3. Keep warm. This may be turning on the heat or wearing enough comfortable clothing.  Perhaps covering with a light blanket may help.
4. Keep the room/space on the dark side. Or perhaps consider using something like an eye bag over the eyes (a rolled up facecloth may work well too) or just keep the lighting low or off completely.
5. Make it your own. Perhaps there is something you do in daily reflection or part of your own personal devotion. Incorporate whatever you feel enhances this to your beliefs but take that time of stillness.
6. Tell people about it. Invite your friends and family and colleagues to join in. Share your experience here with others who will be doing this with you.

Getting it done earlier in the day is easier then skipping it and trying to find time later. I usually try to do this shortly after waking up. It’s a nice transition into consciousness and helps re-set me for the day ahead.

I would love to hear feedback on how this goes, here in the comments section. This month I will have some related articles and challenge opportunities that all tie in with trying to cultivate more rest for the body, mind and spirit.  My hope and desire is that we can find a more rested holiday season and enter the New Year fully able to embrace and truly enjoy life and what it has to offer. One breathe, one beat, one savasana at a time. 

Metta.