Author: Dana Young
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Spiritual practice isn’t protection from life
Practice can be stated very simply. It is moving from a life of hurting myself and others to a life of not hurting myself and others. That seems so simple–except when we substitute for real practice some idea that we should be different or better than we are, or that our lives should be different…
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Sum-sum-summertime!
“There was so much space/I cut me a piece/With some fine wine/It brought peace to my mind/In the summertime…/And it rolled” – Jane’s Addiction I know everyone has been complaining about the blistering heat lately. You have La Niña to thank for the scorching temps in June, as well as the recent spate of tornadoes and…
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Sharing tea with the ninjas
This morning, I spent some time sitting in gassho meditation, reflecting on the Reiki Precepts. This practice is foundational to Reiki Ryoho, but there are some days where I feel like it’s the life raft I’m clinging to for dear life. Since I was a child, I have struggled with mild depression and anxiety. I’ve learned…
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Are you ready to be the true dragon?
“As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.” – Pema Chödrön I recently received a text from a friend of mine who has been on the spiritual path for several years now, practicing yoga, meditation and Reiki. She asked me,…
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Maternal health care is a right, not an option
In March 2o11, The Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 (H.R. 894) was introduced by Rep. John Conyers, D-MI to reduce maternal mortality in the United States, provide greater transparency for reporting on pregnancy-related deaths and improve outcomes through research, education and awareness.(See italicized text below for a summary of the Act’s provisions.) According to…
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North Alabama tornadoes: a personal story
The following is a personal account from my friend Megan, who lives in Ardmore, AL on the AL/TN state line. The surrounding areas were among the hardest hit during the April 27, 2011 tornadoes that ravaged much of central and northern Alabama. Only several weeks before, I was there to photograph her wedding. We spent…
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Wordless Wednesday: rose is a rose
(Photo copyright Dana Lisa Young – please do not use without express permission)
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A matter of life and death
This morning, I read a very emotional article in the New York Times about a man named Julio Garcia, who died of a died of a brain hemorrhage in March 2010 and how at least seven people received organs from him after his death. In the untimely loss of one person there is now the…
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