Good Afternoon Everyone,
I’m sad to announce, that this is my last week teaching at Village Green Yoga and River Tree Yoga until June. Truly, I will miss teaching and my community. You guys bring such light to my life through your dedication, compassion and humor. But it is only a month and I will be back to my regular schedule very soon. In the interim, I have arranged for some excellent subs. So keep doing your yoga and your practice will grow from the wisdom of others.
As I prepare to spend the next month in Berkeley helping my father downsize to a small apartment in a continuing care community, I reflect on what this might mean for him, as well as for myself.
Moving is difficult for everyone. I have read that it is one of the top five stressors in life. I can’t even begin to imagine what it will be like for my father who is 95 and has lived in his current home for the majority of his adult life. He has not only lived in this house for over 50 years, he also designed it himself. It is perhaps his finest work as an architect and is truly a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. It sits on a wooded lot in the Berkeley hills with sweeping views across the San Francisco Bay. Floor to ceiling windows and doors on all sides, beautifully decorated with antiques from Europe and Asia; it is simultaneously inspiring and comforting. He is deeply attached to his home and the separation will be difficult for him. I think perhaps it is part of his identity, and so the stress of moving will be compounded by the separation from a part of his self.
I must also recognize that this is the home in which I grew up, so I am not only dealing with his loss, but I am also dealing with my own. Once he is moved, I will need to sell most of his/our belongings and let go of the security of having a place to land in the Bay Area; a place to share with family and friends, a place which I have always referred to as home. It is a home that is much loved and will be deeply missed.
And yet I am reminded of the yoga teachings concerning attachment. Our attachment to the past, to things being as they were; our attachment to the desire for things to be different from how they are now; and our attachment to material things in general can all lead to pain and suffering as well as distracting us from our ability to reside in the direct experience of the present moment. At this point I will spare you a full dissertation on all of Patanjali’s Sutras which discuss non-attachment, and only lead you in their direction.
- Sutras I.12,I.15, I.16 – explains that through non-attachment we consciously realize that attachment can create short and long term negative effects.
- Sutra II.3 – notes that the causes of suffering include ignorance, egoism, attachment, repulsion and fear.
- Sutra II.7, II.8 – suggests that attachment is the consequence of pleasure as aversion is the consequence of pain.
- Sutra II.39 – reminds us that persevering on the path non-covetousness leads to a deeper understanding of the meaning of life.
So, as I get myself ready for this seemingly Herculean task, I will hold fast to my yoga, the practice and the principles. I will remind myself that this too shall all pass. And that this is simply another step in the trajectory of my life. I am grateful to have lived in such a lovely home, grateful that my father has lived such a long and healthy life, and grateful that I have the flexibility to be able to help him in this difficult time.
I thank you in advance for your support and understanding. I look forward to seeing many of you this week, and send you wishes for a happy May.
Shalom & Namaste
Diana Bonyhadi
Diana Bonyhadi Yoga 
I’ve been thinking of you…everything you’ve written I can relate to so well! The task ahead is huge though you will draw to you all that you need. Just remember to claim some space for yourself, my friend 🙂
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Thank you Binka, You do indeed know what this will be. Thank you for your support. I am grateful for a wonderful community of support and friendship both here and down there.
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Dee,
Your feelings are so beautifully expressed. I am so sorry for all you are going through and am and will be sending good energy and love.
Do you remember my college roommate and friend Marla? She literally just finished doing this and was crying over the phone this weekend. This is a real loss and you will grieve. If you want to talk, scream, rant, cry, whatever, give a call.
All my love,
Lori
Sent from my Phone
>
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Thank you Lori. I bet I will end up doing all of that, just hope don’t pull out all my hair as well.
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Been thinking of you….!! When do you leave for CA? It would be great to claim some time for a cup of tea though I suspect you are already up to your eyeballs in preparation for being away. If there happens to be an easy window to touch base within, please let me know.
Sending blessings and supportive thoughts your way (and a warm hug!) 🙂
Binka
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I helped my parents downsize twice, so I know what this is like. When I sat with my dad, and he said, “This is the tool box I bought in 1964 at Chubby’s and Tubby’s”, he was giving away an item that didn’t just hold tools, but held many memories. More importantly, he was also giving up the identity of the handyman, the person that fixed everything around the house, the boy who took apart and rebuilt his bicycle.
You are right – it is about letting go – not just of things, but pieces of one’s identity. Hugs to you – Claire
From: Diana Bonyhadi Yoga To: cpetersky@yahoo.com Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 5:23 PM Subject: [New post] Attachment and Letting Go #yiv7215214140 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv7215214140 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv7215214140 a.yiv7215214140primaryactionlink:link, #yiv7215214140 a.yiv7215214140primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv7215214140 a.yiv7215214140primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv7215214140 a.yiv7215214140primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv7215214140 WordPress.com | Diana Gould Bonyhadi posted: “Good Afternoon Everyone,I’m sad to announce, that this is my last week teaching at Village Green Yoga and River Tree Yoga until June. Truly, I will miss teaching and my community. You guys bring such light to my life through your dedication, compassion ” | |
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Hello Diana, I sure have been enjoying your postings and in reading this one, am sad to hear of the big changes ahead for your father and family. Whew! The price of a long life seems to be these kinds of dealings as the body’s abilities change.
Since I moved back from Kansas, I live in my mother’s house at the end of Hillcrest Road, renting her little studio garden apartment. She has managed to stay here since my father died 20 years ago by renting out the apartment and half of the house. Now her partner, age 86, has moved in with her from Marin since he can no longer drive. She will be 81 next month.
While you are down here, I am glad to walk up the hill to the house to say hello and go on a short walk if you’d like a little break. I certainly understand if there isn’t time for much besides all the tasks at hand. I’m happy to lend my car or support you in other ways.
Very best wishes and love to you, your father and family, Anne(cell: 620-635-5213)
From: Diana Bonyhadi Yoga To: amitchell39@yahoo.com Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 5:23 PM Subject: [New post] Attachment and Letting Go #yiv8167871426 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv8167871426 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv8167871426 a.yiv8167871426primaryactionlink:link, #yiv8167871426 a.yiv8167871426primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv8167871426 a.yiv8167871426primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv8167871426 a.yiv8167871426primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv8167871426 WordPress.com | Diana Gould Bonyhadi posted: “Good Afternoon Everyone,I’m sad to announce, that this is my last week teaching at Village Green Yoga and River Tree Yoga until June. Truly, I will miss teaching and my community. You guys bring such light to my life through your dedication, compassion ” | |
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Anne, How nice to hear from you. I have many times wondered if you had moved back to your mom’s house. Such a lovely place. I am glad you have been able to be there for her. I would love to see you when I am down there. I will give you a call, and hopefully we can get together.
-Diana
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