Hi all!

First off - I'm offering Mindful Self-Compassion workshops. I am happy to offer you a sliding scale. Let's do this. Details at the end of the email.

Hope you're having a good summer. I'm 'laying flat' and enjoying time with my mom, friends, music, nature, and peace and quiet. A highlight this year has been seeing jazz superstar Esperanza Spalding in concert a couple of times, the last time with Gustavo Dudamel and an international youth orchestra that had just been together for 2 weeks before the concert at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Amahzing! Esperanza played "Gaia" by Wayne Shorter. She told us he composed the piece when he was 82, and is still going strong. She continued, "we all have the fountain of youth within us, we can keep creating our whole lives." This newly minted 55 year old was touched.

I'll let you in on my secret: I have been rocking out to Esperanza's "12 Magic Spells." The whole album is food for the soul - 12 incantations to the body - from mind to feet. The song "Readying to Rise," ostensibly about legs, for me is a metaphor for the unconscious. 

Our language is the memory of everywhere you've been
In usefulness we preach
And you may refer to us whenever you are lost, or stuck
Or doubting will with its brain-based complexities

We've been through it all with you
And do our best to move you
With dual reminders of your progress
And how you must walk the distance ahead
What you are facing now may appear to be more
Of the same
But we are readying to rise you
To another plane of existence

I was listening to this song the other day, walking along, and a woman's wheelchair was stuck in the MUNI tracks in West Portal. Naturally, I helped her out of that little hole. Maybe she helped me out of mine. Legs indeed. Have you been noticing little moments of care and connection? I hope so.

Another song that really grabbed my attention is "Dancing the Animal" -

So have you prayed to your phone today?
Atoning for all ignorance we bow our busy heads to
Seek immortal wisdom from the clouds
Rollin' down the social mountain to the tablet in each hand
8 billion new commandments
At my command and some I post too
Google humanity but while you do

Guard the animal in you
God's the animal in you (In you)
No pride no greed no sin (You)
Guard the animal in you (In you)
(In you)
Guard the animal
God's the animal in you

Our Zoom lives can be dissociated. We go to our heads all too easily in isolation. Inspiration and madness arise. But our bodies need our love and care. Guard the animal of you - your body. "Guard the tangible." Our identities can be such a mental and social construct and co-creation, but it is also in our bodies. The lyrics reminded me of my own words in Facebuddha:

“Social media is not just a medium. It is a new religion. The Tweet is our Call to Prayers. We thumb our Phones like Rosaries. We take Food Pics instead of Saying Grace. The Status Update is our Sermon on the Mount. The Selfie our personal Anointment and Beatification. Facebook Messenger is our Messiah. The Apple Store is our modern Cathedral, our Silicon Sanctuary. New Emoji are released to the fanfare of a new Pope.” Where is this religion taking us?

Esperanza and I are on the same tip lol :) But she nailed it, and I am fully carried away by her. Enchanted.

+++++++++

The only thing I've published since my last newsletter is this declaration by the National Council of Elders:

Creating a Culture of Peace: Statement of the National Council of Elders

We are veterans of a long struggle for social justice in our nation and peace in the world. We are the National Council of Elders (NCOE) and stand alongside legions of elders who work to resist oppression and build dreams of new worlds. Our commitment is to accompany younger twenty-first-century leaders in their effort to bring a greater measure of justice, equality, and peace to our country and world. Individual members of the NCOE who are signing this statement are listed at its end.

What is readying to rise within you?

Warmly,

Ravi

"You care for others - but who's got your back?"

Mindful Self-Compassion is an experiential, skills-building workshop that is backed by 1600+ research articles to date for help with anxiety, depression, self-worth, burnout, and caregiver stress. Disconnection is at the root of suffering, and the opposite of suffering is belonging. MSC helps us on our journeys of identity and belonging in these challenging times. Reviews from past participants are available on Yelp.

Ravi Chandra, MD is offering 3 hour and 8 week Mindful Self-Compassion workshops starting in September. There will be special focus for those in BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized groups, but allies are welcome. These practical and evidence-based skills and experiences help ease discomfort, reduce burnout, and help with self-worth, depression, and anxiety. Follow the registration links below, and if you have questions or would like sliding scale for the 8-week workshop, contact Ravi at sflovedojo@PROTECTED. Limited spots for both workshops.

SF Love Dojo 3-hour Mindful Self-Compassion workshop will be held on Zoom on Saturday, September 10 from 10 am – 1 pm PT. Register here. $95. Inquire for sliding scale option. Limited availability.

SF Love Dojo 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion class will be held on Zoom on Saturdays from 9:30 am – 12 noon PT beginning Saturday, September 24th. Register here. $475 early bird (before September 11)/$575 full fee/$350/sliding scale compassionate care.) Limited availability.