The OutSPOKEn Cyclist
By Diane Jenks
As we experience the shorter and colder days of winter, one of the things I relish most is more time to read and even re-read some of the books that so inspire me to DO some of the things I do the rest of the year.
I have to admit that I’m not much of a winter-lover. I do still practice and teach yoga almost daily and I do still walk our dog.
And then there’s reading! Let me share some of the titles that have inspired me over the years and books I go back to again and again for continued inspiration.
ERICH SCHIFFMAN – MOVING INTO STILLNESS
First and foremost is my favorite teacher and author, Erich Schiffmann. Many years ago, he produced a video with Ali McGraw titled “Moving Into Stillness.” This video accompanied his book, of the same title, and my dog-eared copy is always with me.
I’ve studied with Erich several times when he offered workshops here in Ohio — pre-COVID, of course! — and now I can connect with him via some of the social media platforms, especially Facebook. His work has influenced not only my own thinking but especially my teaching style.
“Moving Into Stillness” is not only a book for teachers and yoga practitioners, but it also provides a way of thinking that offers us a way to calm and clear our minds.
Erich’s philosophy about yoga and his modern-day take on things such as meditation, stillness, and “listening” all strike a chord that continually inspires and resonates with me.
WARREN GROSSMAN, Ph.D. – TO BE HEALED BY THE EARTH
Warren Grossman is actually a Northeast Ohio retired psychotherapist who became desperately ill after a trip to Brazil over 23 years ago. In fact, the medical community at the time was unable to find a remedy and told Warren that there was nothing they could do for him… he should go home and make preparations to die.
Weak and defeated, he dragged himself outside one day and just sat on the ground — near a tree. When he got up, he thought he felt a little better. So, the next day, he again went outside and sat on the ground — near a tree.
And, so it went. And he began to recover. And he began to realize some things about the way his body worked, the earth’s influence on his body, and how he could begin to heal.
From his experiences, he became a “healer,” teaching the skills he learned and guiding others to health.
He wrote what has been a book on my shelf since my first teacher training course in 2002 — “To Be Healed By The Earth.”* In it, he detailed his journey from a deathbed to robust health and some of the things that he’s been able to do and see that have led him to a new book, out this month.
“Being Healing” is a series of essays organized around the simple idea that we are a part of nature.
In this time of COVID — when many of us are isolated from those we love and may have health concerns that keep us from living our fullest lives, this simple concept of “being” healing — that you adapt your thinking and mindset to being “already well,” makes a lot of sense.
These books are “staples” in my library of philosophy and wellness and I hope they might offer you some spiritual, mental, and physical “food for thought.”
* There is a second edition of this book… the photo shows the first edition
