Embracing Gratitude: Celebrating Thanksgiving Through Diverse Cultures and Heartfelt Yoga Practices November 23 2025
- rockbriarfarm
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Today I was talking to my friend Robina. I initially met her through her business, and she has become very special to me. When we are together, our conversations always start with family, include food and recipe discussions, and often touch on the world around us. After touching on politics briefly today and wondering where kindness has gone, we skittered onto the topic of religion. I am Catholic, Robina is Muslim (my husband is Jewish). I was telling her that my older son, raised Catholic, is currently not interested in organized religion. I explained that while I had hoped he would embrace Catholicism as an adult (we are fortunate to attend a very forward-thinking church), that if he embraced any faith, I would be supportive and happy. I should point out that he is spiritual and both of my sons are kind and thoughtful people. I am grateful. As parents we lay the foundation.
Robina and I agreed that fundamentally all organized religions have the same focus, to be good and peaceful people. Whether it is the Torah, the Bible, the Koran or any other religious texts, the guiding principles are the same. We expressed frustration about the fighting and anger around something that should be powerfully good.
When I first got married, people asked me how my husband and I were ever going to navigate the topic of religion. I replied that Jews and Christians believe the same thing, with the minor wrinkle around Jesus. Side note, my father was Jewish, and my mom was Catholic, we had great role models. Robina and I then concluded that if we were running the world, things would be different!
I have always been fascinated by other faiths and cultures and love to read, discuss and travel the world to learn more. I am profoundly saddened that still today we have people weaponizing politics or simply just disliking others who do not look or act as they do, have different cultural practices or faiths. This Thanksgiving, I suggest we give thanks to everyone in our life who shares with us their different faiths, cultures, beliefs and personalities. How rich our lives become when we do not live in a homogeneous society but one that celebrates diversity and acceptance. I also give special thanks to Robina who shares her family stories, her talents and her amazing cooking so generously with me!
Link below our experience paying homage and bringing food to the monks at Wat Thaton, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Our Practice – Opening Our Hearts – Utrasana - Camel Pose
As we think about tolerance and appreciation for other faiths and cultures, we think about opening our heart. As we practice heart openers, we open ourselves up to tolerance, gratitude and perhaps also possibility? Physical benefits of heart opening poses can be increased energy and reduced fatigue as well as increased spinal flexibility, strengthened back muscles and improved posture. Camel also stretches the front of the body, particularly the chest, abdomen, quadriceps, and hip flexors.
To Practice:
Begin in a high kneeling position with your thighs parallel to each other and your hands on your lower back (fingers up or down). Tuck your toes under (later you can try with tops of the feet flat).
Lift up out of your belly and waist to lengthen your spine. As you move into the backbend, lead with your chest and let your head follow (think rainbow versus leaning back). Try not to toss your head back but also avoid tucking chin or not moving your head at all. Initiate the backbend with your chest and move the back of your head back (not the crown) to keep length in the back of your neck. This could be enough, hold for several breaths.
If you want to take it a little further, you can reach one hand or both hands back towards your heels. Press pelvis forward thinking about the rainbow image or back bending over a huge exercise ball as you lead with your chest and move the back of your head back to follow. When you're ready to come up out of the pose, lead with your chest, pressing your hands at the lower back to support. Head comes up last.
Meditating on Tolerance – Ripple, by Grateful Dead
As I was thinking about this topic of embracing diversity in the world, I thought of this Grateful Dead song. Surprising, huh? I do know a couple! The song discusses one’s individual journey and encourages acceptance. It seems to me to touch on spiritual and philosophical openness and combining different traditions. It also recognizes life’s uncertainties and reminds us to be present rather than trying to control outcomes.
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music?
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home
This is a link to the original 1970 recording with a great mix of old photos.
Nurturing with Food – Winter Squash and Apple Soup
I have posted this recipe many times. I make this soup for Thanksgiving as a first course; this year’s version was made last month with squash from our garden and frozen. A single batch makes approximately 8-10 servings as a first course. There is an option included for making it with some nondairy milk or cream. Of course, regular half and half or milk also works! I would not add that until you are warming it to serve.
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne
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