A Love Note For You
On meditation and more
The romantic practice of sending valentines on St. Valentine’s Day wasn’t really a big thing until the nineteenth century. In contrast, we scientifically and definitely know the practice of sending electronic newsletters on the World Wide Web was invented by Cupid and his mom Aphrodite and, of course, by Jesus.
Speaking of love and other indoor sports…
I’m doing a show at Fiction Bar in Williamsburg on Monday, February 13th, at 7:00 p.m. I’ll be reading an essay I submitted to the Modern Love column at the New York Times. There will be beverages and tiny pizzas for sale, and so much more!
I like hearts of all colors and handmade love notes and roses and pink stuff and chocolate. I like great massages and loving prayers and meditation sessions and cats and dogs and good people. I hope to get to be around all of that this week, and I hope you get to be around whatever or whomever brings you joy, in whatever way best serves your health, happiness, and life.
If you’d like to hear weekly silly, serious, intimate, weird-in-a-good-way episodes of my patrons-only podcast, The Audio Letter, subscribe to Patreon.
If you’d like to hear monthly public episodes of my stress relief podcast, Well, This Isn’t Normal, see below.
If you’d like to just send me a tip for typing nice things at you, my Venmo is YourProfileIsProbablyPublic.
There is also this Amazon wishlist. Get wild. It is what I send to my mom when she asks what I want for my birthday, and now I send it…to thee.
If you’d like to send a valentine to anyone in the form of a donation to RAICES Texas or Miry’s List, I bet it would be deeply appreciated.
More things to read, see, do or eat
These are things I’ve read, wish to read, and/or think we should all read/use/absorb. Links aren’t sponsored (please sponsor me in cash money or rewards points, thank you). Anyway, if there’s something you think I should check out, email saratoninnewsletter@gmail.com.
Well, This Isn’t Normal - My stress relief podcast is back with an episode called “Meditation and Real Life.” It’s available on Apple, Stitcher, and Simplecast.
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin - Try the audiobook. It’s really fucking good.
George Santos allegedly stole golden retriever puppies from an Amish guy - No, I am not kidding.
Gen Z is the best, part 123098021983 - In better news for dogs, a 17-year-old kid rescued a goldendoodle and the dog’s octogenarian owner from a Jeep sinking in an icy lake. Joe Salmon was out ice fishing with his mom and watching snowmobile races when he saw the accident, and acted quickly with the help of some adults.
The story made me cry, partly because it was the first time he’d convinced his grieving mom to go out ice fishing again since the death of her own beloved dad.
Some nearby adults helped the driver to a store, and then to a hospital. He was reported to be in good condition. And then the kid went back to ice fishing! This is the most Midwestern shit I’ve ever heard of.
On Meditation
This issue of SARATONIN is a love note, and the best way I can love you is to share things that have helped me. They may or may not help you, but all I can do is honestly tell you I benefited from the work of these authors and teachers.
This is usually where I do some writing advice, but since I’ve got meditation on my mind, I figured I’d make a list of my favorite books that in some way, shape or form include info on meditation.
I suggest using Bookshop.org to find these books, or email/call your local indie bookshop. They will probably be very happy to order it for you.
Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Ram Dass
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
The Five Things We Cannot Change by David Richo
The Art of Solitude by Stephen Batchelor
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, various translations
Smile at Fear by Chogyam Trungpa
Buddhism for Beginners by Thubten Chodron
Quiet by Susan Cain
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer
Any and all poetry by Rumi (try a few translators and pick your favorite)
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I hope you are well. I send you love, peace and healing rest this week.
Love,
Sara