Sanctuary Blog
Latest Sanctuary Post
Finding Our Way Back Home: Ram Dass on Breaking the Cycle of Addiction
A beloved teacher on spiritual practice and the pain that traps us in old patterns
Sanctuary Posts
The Serene August Greene
This isn’t just feel-good music (although it does feel good!). You’ll also hear so much wisdom, memory of trauma, and moral conviction in the infectious beats and the wonder of Common’s freestyle.
It’s Aging Men – There’s a Cold Front Moving In
Shirley Serban has released yet another comical adaptation of a top 40 hit, this time aimed at our beloved males. The forecast may be grim, but the outlook is sunny in this clever tribute to the aging process.
Menopause Rhapsody – The struggle is real!
Shirley Serban and friends have captured the very soul of the female, mid-life experience in this hilarious parody of the legendary 1975 hit Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
Redemption Song
This beautiful cover by Beyoncé & Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder will make you feel just a little better about the prospects for humanity.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): An Introduction and Some Tips
The condition of PTSD (or C-PTSD) was at one time referred to as being “shell-shocked.” Both terms describe a state of intense and disturbing thoughts or feelings after exposure to trauma, violence, abuse, or threats.
Brené Brown Shares Her Most Intimate Thoughts on the Fundamental Human Dilemma of Loneliness
How do we continue to thrive on our own, despite our basic need for social connection? Brené Brown shares her most intimate thoughts.
An Invitation to Freedom by Jack Kornfield
Have you found that there are certain thoughts or sensations or feelings that keep coming back when you meditate? This thoughtful piece by invites us to consider that those "stuck places" may require a bit of additional attention, a slightly different approach than we'd use with the usual "train of thoughts". Even if you're a beginner in the realm of meditation, this short piece is worth the detour.
Prepare to Be Calmed
"Prepare to be calmed. It begins with a small bell, a set of tiny wind chimes and a plucked, angelic zither sounding much like a harp. As I watched, I could feel my breath letting go; my muscles were less tense. Then Laraaji began to laugh. I smiled. (His laugh is infectious).
An Autumn Sunrise
Mt. Monadnock as painted by Abbott Thayer (Image courtesy of the Corcoran Gallery of Art) Here in...
Colors!
For a dose of colorful beauty and hope, watch the Black Pumas sing their song "Colors" at the Biden/Harris Inauguration, January 2021.
With A Little Help from My Friends
In a time when we deeply need to connect to one another, we hold Joe Cocker's beautiful and powerful rendition of the Lennon & McCartney classic With A Little Help From My Friends close to our hearts.
Love Offering, Josefina H. Sanders
"Be gentle with your healing, be unapologetic with your rest, be considerate of your energy and give yourself grace in the process." Let Josefina H. Sanders guide you through self-love and compassion through her simple yet powerful words of wisdom. From one healing individual to another.
An Autumn Sunrise
Relax and watch the sun rise on one of the most climbed mountains in the world—Mt. Monadnock in Southern New Hampshire.
Heal Me: Melissa Etheridge Sings for Her Son
Melissa Etheridge recorded this concert in her home studio on June 20 of 2020. The main goal of doing the concert, entitled "Heal Me," she explains, was just that — to further the healing process after her devastating loss. Tune in for a moving performance and some meaningful talk in between songs about what families go through.
We All Just Wanna Be Shown Some Love
Need a blast of Love, Light, Beauty, Generosity, and Hope? Tune in to this 15-minute show from the celebrated Tiny Desk Concerts (NPR.org). Alicia Keys and her crew are the inspirational and fun-to-watch flavor of the day. Enjoy!!
Long-Distance Chorus
Just trying to manage on a day-to-day basis, and keeping up my fully virtual job for Allies, was plenty for me during France's shutdown. I got my news from my poly-sci major kid. So when I logged on to newyorktimes.com this morning, I was thrilled to avoid the news by clicking on this absolute jewel. It's America in all its diverse, talented and open-heart glory.
Yoga for Members! Lower Back & Hips
Feel like your body could use a little movement? Try this video… in-house yogi Rosslyn Kemerer shares her attentive and caring style with our members as she presents a yoga sequence designed to release low back tension… Enjoy!
Just for Today
Discover the powerful phrase kyo dake wa . Here are some simple instructions to creating a mantra, just for today.
Staying Strong vs. Going Crazy
Annie Highwater offers grounding suggestions for staying sane during crazy times. Who doesn't need help with that?