GIVING THANKS BY KEITH PARTINGTON

It’s hard to think of a year when I’ve been this thankful— and this conscious of it— before I even once hear the obligatory “and what are you thankful for?”

I’m thankful to Lauren Hanna for taking the risk. Holding this space in a market reeling from the troubles of the last few years while one independent studio after another went down. I’m thankful she then tossed me the keys.

I’m thankful to Chris for the guidance and wizardry, Mitch for the heavy lifting, Todd for the creativity and Becca for the grounding. I’m thankful for our amazing crew of teachers— who are always utterly, uniquely themselves— while still delivering a Sonic class.

I’m thankful for our student teachers and the training program itself, intact and strong in the aftermath of a lockdown. I’m grateful that I get to see the practice through fresh eyes when I’m around these seekers. We’ve put hundreds of teachers out into the world over many years and nothing yet has come along and stopped us.

I’m thankful to New York City for giving us ample friction to sharpen our practice and test our philosophy. You can practice here? Then you can practice anywhere.

Mostly I’m thankful for you. For your discipline, depth, love, will, belief, camaraderie and faith. Not your faith in us by the way, rather your faith in this practice. We’re honored you trust us with that faith. You’re moving through life consciously, and few even attempt this. I’m thankful to rub shoulders with you.

We turn 21 years young in just a couple of weeks. I can’t wait to raise a glass with you.

Hari Om

Keith