I've illustrated how we love to be with each other in the last two newsletters. If you missed these posts, catch up here and here.
Even though relationships enrich us, they're not always easy. As difficult as it can be to get along with family and friends, we try to stay connected. We value these bonds and put effort into keeping them. Cutting ties altogether is often the last resort and the cause of much emotional pain.
This first group of family, friends and the communities in which they exist are in the physical form. We touch, feed, hug, cradle, carry, and bury each other in this group. Group 1 is highly interdependent.
In the past 20 years, the number of our possible human connections has imploded. Snail mail became obsolete with emails. Social media bloomed seemingly out of the blue, allowing us to meet people from everywhere. This is Group 2.
I used Facebook to find willing friends to do Zoom yoga after COVID started. As time went on, more people wanted to read about yoga, so here we landed, dear reader, on a Substack newsletter.
In truth, most of you have never met me in physical form. You believe I exist because these words didn't just materialize out of nowhere, right? I'm here, I promise.
The second group exists through the electrical grid. If a blackout went down, this group would go with it. And we'd all be fine living as we used to in physical form only. Sure, we'd have to adjust a bit, but some smart people would figure out how we would go on.
We vacillate with ease between Group 1 and Group 2. You could see me on Zoom in the morning and meet me later for lunch. You could then text me to ask if I got home alright.
Alas, dear reader, the creation of Group 2 was a preparation for the third group.
You see, Group 3 has always been around. You'll be surprised to learn that Group 3 pre-dates Groups 1 and 2. Yes, Group 3 is the forgotten Eternal group. We have been so enthralled by the lure of the other two groups that we forgot about Group 3.
Confused?
•Group 1 = Physical
•Group 2 = Electronic
•Group 3 = Eternal
The third group is who you are without your physical form. This group is intangible like the electronic Group 2. But it's not dependent at all on the other two groups. For example, Group 2 wouldn't exist without Group 1. Group 1 wouldn't exist without Group 3.
Group 3 just is.
This is how I like to describe Group 3.
Imagine a surgeon cutting off your right leg. Are you still you? Of course, you are.
Now imagine the surgeon cutting off your left leg. Yes, you have no legs now. Are YOU still there? Yes, of course, you're still there.
The surgeon is back now. He cuts off the right arm and the left arm and cuts your torso in half, removing your pelvis. You are considerably shorter than before and in much physical pain, but you're still there.
What's left? If the carving continued, you, dear reader, would be left without a body. But you and your consciousness are still there. Without a body, you are no longer visible or tangible.
In yoga, we reconnect to the wisp of consciousness that is our home base. It's been there all along. We only need to rediscover it.
Through our work on the body, the breath, and our meditation practice, we journey back to ourselves.
Would you like to come along?
YOGA
Our next Gentle yoga series begins next week. This is a great class for people who are new to yoga or prefer a gentler practice. The class will be a four-week Zoom series from 7 p.m.-8:15 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: April 19, April 26, May 3, and May 10. The cost is $50. Sign up here.
BOOK CLUB
The book for April is “The Friends We Keep,” by Jane Green. We will meet tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss.
Sign up for the Zoom link here.