Holding Nothing with Elena Brower

Thank you Florence Acosta, Kim Corneille, Connie Mygatt, Jana McLoughlin, Anne Walters, and 100 others for tuning into our live video; such a blessing to be together on a slower weekend day, and take our time. One of the most important books of this year, bringing a life of practice into our thankful hands and hearts. Humility, discipline, and devotion… Living Ritual. GIFT FOR YOU I have an extra copy of this wonderful book.

A learning experience, a remembrance, a sharing of care—we are both extremely fortunate and thankful for the graces of friendship and studentship. Thank you Orama Seifert, Michelle Dowd, nadia nedelchev, Creative Expressionist, Jackie Hutchings, and ninety others for tuning into our live video.

A brief overview. It’s 2005. Staring at the application for vipassana in my apartment, currently a yoga studio owner, retreat teacher, wondering if I’ll ever become a mother. Considering 10 days of complete silence with some lectures… Why does this seem more daunting than I’d imagined? How can 10 days be free—what’s the catch? And how is there no dinner? Can i even do this? I get about halfway through the application and stop. Another time. It’s 2026.

Away this week at vipassana, super grateful to have shared time with Amy Landry just prior to departure; sharing this with you as you move through the end of this season. I trust you’ll appreciate Amy’s wisdom and care. Honoring the tradition of yoga as it evolves, discussing how we’ve shifted in our practice and in our teaching over the last twenty-plus years, today we explore Amy’s latest work, The Ocean of Yoga (Shambhala, 2026).

I. The question. In the middle of a three hour shift at a hospice patient’s home, tending to some dishes and emails while the patient rests, her husband is ordering cable service on speaker to ensure her LifeAlert button connects to the correct authorities if needed. Listening as he’s answering questions to what is obviously an AI, but a strangely natural one. “Aaaand, may i have your service address?” “Great.

Today: An audio practice, a tale of two timelines, an invitation to ask me anything for an upcoming AMA post, this weekend’s podcast, and a gift teaching on heart rate variability (HRV) from Sara Szal MD. Let’s go. At our magnificent Airbnb in Ravenna. I. On the dreamy-seeming paradox of youth.

Next post I’ll share about festivals and finding more love in NYC. Promise. For today, while my son climbs a giant rock face, regulating my nervous system with a short reading from Alive For It All by Cynthia Kear and sitting with you. On how stillness helps us widen and soften the weave of the mind, so the matters with which we’re working with can move freely through. Sit begins at 08:40; reading is epic and worth it. Side note: Arranging to offer retreat here next year.

Our bookshelf of late, with Lisa Olivera, Rev. Cynthia Kear, Stephen Jenkinson Nadia Narain, Amy Kurtz, Erica Bassani and Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. Aching for the lands burning, the friends struggling. Celebrating the glimmers of safety, care and love. Reading as an act of revolution, resistance, activism.

Update: James is healing super well after laminectomy, pain-free after forty years! Travels have been full of life, beauty, friends and fresh food, all the mercies of moving about. We are sending love and thankfulness for your notes of care and concern after my previous post. Thank you. Mean it. Context.

Welcome to Hold Nothing, a column dedicated to practice, study, listening and learning. This week’s post is free.All paid subscription revenue is donated to causes benefiting women and girls. As a subscriber here, you’ll be invited to comment on all posts, access the archives and attend monthly Live Gatherings. If you have financial need, scholarship subscriptions are available; message me here. Gateless gate; Tassajara Zen Mountain Center entrance bridge. Contacting the deeper constant.