Kirtan: “Yoga of the Heart”

August 23, 2018 By Guest Contributor

Jai Ma, Jai Jai Ma Saraswati, Saraswati .. As rain clouds closed in on Whitetop Yoga in downtown Abingdon, VA we gathered in hushed anticipation for an evening of chanting, meditation and song—a celebration of Kirtan ((KEER-tahn), a branch of Bhakti Yoga which is considered to be the most direct path to experiencing the Divine within. Yoga instructors-in-training, and occasional practitioners like me, opened our minds and hearts to the rhythmic fusion of Asheville’s Sangita Devi Kirtan. And we were richly rewarded!... Read more

Catching School Shooters before they fall through the Cracks

May 23, 2018 By Gerard A. Murphy

While driving my kids to school this morning, my 11-year-old daughter reminded me that it was likely that they’d have one more lockdown drill before school let out for summer on Friday. She hated being “suffocated” in a classroom closet.. When gunman, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, went on his killing spree last week at Santa Fe High School, one of his more sinister moments was when he screamed “Surprise, M*****F******” before shooting at kids who attempted to block him from the supply closet in which... Read more

Gryffindor or Slytherin: Where do You Belong?

April 14, 2018 By Gerard A. Murphy

It is our choices that show us what we truly are far more than our abilities ~ Albus Dumbledore She’s read the entire book series plus the play co-written by author J.K. Rowling; she’s now on a second reading of the 7 books and has watched four of the movies, so who better than my 11-year-old daughter to answer my questions on all things Harry Potter? She agreed to fit me into her busy schedule to do an interview! To safeguard... Read more

Breathing As a Spiritual Practice

April 6, 2018 By Gerard A. Murphy

Now I’m not a yogi by any stretch (sorry..) of the imagination, but I was inspired to attend a class recently at our local yoga studio. I’m glad I did. It reminded me to breathe—to breathe that is, in a more centered, conscious way. As the natural flow of my breath synced with the movements we were guided in, I was reminded of the sacred nature of breath itself…and I gave thanks. Prana The Sanskrit word Prana (prāṇa – प्राण)... Read more

Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?

January 18, 2018 By Gerard A. Murphy

“I am afraid to tell you who I am, because if I tell you who I am you may not like who I am, and it’s all that I have” When University of Houston research professor Brené Brown decided to take a closer look at human vulnerability, she had no idea that it would take six years of research and data analysis to finally arrive at some compelling truths on the matter. Stepping out of her own comfort zone of resistance to vulnerablity; reevaluating it through deep... Read more

Celebrating the Wonder of a Total Solar Eclipse

August 17, 2017 By Gerard A. Murphy

We have avid bird watchers, star gazers and tornado chasers. So why not Eclipse Chasers? Or to use their more sophisticated sobriquet, Umbraphiles. Works for me. These are folks who, having experienced a total eclipse, are now hooked and literally cross the globe for their next eclipse high. Something about the experience captivated them at a profound soul-stirring level, and planning and saving for another eclipse expedition is on the table. And yes: of course there’s a website (or two)... Read more

Who is Listening on Independence Day?

July 3, 2017 By Gerard A. Murphy

My countryman George Bernard Shaw, once quipped The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. And that was way before the digital era of rapid-fire texting, 120 character tweets, Smartphone emojis. and Facebook algorithms telling us who to be, where we are, and what to buy next. As we gather with family and friends on Independence Day, and perhaps dimly reflect on what it means historically and globally, I wonder: Do we truly listen... Read more