Most of the vibrant annual crew, so much love and respect for these humans.
As book tour travel ends, teaching retreat with the tail end of the flu, feeling nothing but thankfulness. Florida, New York, California; each stop, every moment of eye contact meant the world, and lessons learned. Mostly about taking more space between engagements to refuel my batteries.
Our annual Innermost Wisdom Retreat was a blast of warm air, silky sea, long light, dear friends and deep discoveries within The Heart Sutra. First time digging into this material, moving our bodies in accordance with the concepts of no-self, no senses, just boundlessness as form, form as boundlessness. Fumbling at times, nervous about the classes, both good signs that I care about this, and that I’ll never finish learning.
Confirmations came.
Dear Elena,
I wanted to thank you for a wonderful retreat. It was my favorite out of the three I’ve attended. I forged strong, genuine connections and honored myself.
With co-teacher Marc Holzman, gifted facilitator of yoga nidra and Ayurveda. Study with him if you can.
The truth and practice of no-self, of taking care of the world by taking care of our breathing, of getting to know our own Buddha nature by how we arrange ourselves in practice.
And.
I’ve always thought of these final days of the year as the most opportune time to restart, recreate, but now I realize there’s nothing to do. Because in some strange way, I’m not here. Bear with me.
What I mean is that my real work happens when you, dear reader, plumb the depths of your innermost wisdom, your self-worth, as you visit with my words, and I’m gone.
Disappearance into practice leaves only the practice.
Which is when your smallest kindnesses wash over the people you love, and we don’t need to re-create ourselves as a new year begins, because what’s kind and worthy about each of us has been there all along.
You’re just connecting with it more truly now, allowing it to emerge, so just by being in your presence, we all feel it.
I hope this is making some sense.
I’ll spend the rest of my days sorting out how to say and live this.
Thank you, M. for this gorgeous photo…
A recent review of Hold Nothing just landed in my inbox.
Hello Elena from Northern Ireland, just to say thank you for the lastest Hold Nothing Daily Ceremony cards, they arrived today, Christmas Eve and are beautiful; so happy they arrived today. I also have your book and have found it so clear, loving and nurturing. I haven’t been able to put it down as I seem to need it to nourish myself, plus it has brought me back gently to my meditation practice although I have never tried Zen meditation before.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas full of joy and happiness.
All the best for 2026. Love, B.
SEE YOU THIS WEEK~
To begin 2026 with clarity and grace, hosting a handful of virtual gatherings in the coming week; you’ll experience encouragement, we’ll sit, write and practice together. Below you’ll see details and links, and what you’ll want to bring.
This Friday, December 26th, 1130am Eastern Time, a talk, sitting and writing practice with some epic, deep prompts. This is free; donation optional and suggested, no matter how small. Click below image for details; I’ll send your Guidebook to print and our link the day before, and again the day of.
Bring your printed Guidebook (or notebook/journal) and a pen.
This Sunday, December 28th, 1145am Eastern Time, via Dig Yoga, virtual. Expect a short talk, conversation, sitting practice and reading from Hold Nothing, co-hosted by dear longtime friend and Dig co-founder, Sue Elkind.
Bring your copy of Hold Nothing (or notebook/journal) and a pen.Next Friday, January 2nd, 1030am Eastern Time, a proper asana practice to benefit Free Food Kitchen. Link here to donate, any amount is appreciated to join me for practice.
Bring your yoga mat and any props you love.
PAID SUBSCRIBERS
See you on January 7th at 12pm Eastern for our monthly writing gathering.
Finish this sentence: When I offer my undivided attention, _________________________________________________________________________________.
Thank you for being here with me.
With a paid subscription, you’ll be able to view and comment on all posts, attend monthly Live Gatherings, and access the archives. If you have financial need, I offer a handful of scholarship subscriptions each month; message me.
