Deities in the bathroom.

First, here's what's alive in the BGV ecosystem...

🎙️ New on the podcast: My Rosary Apprenticeship.
A heartfelt share on how the rosary has found it's way into my practice and my heart, guided by the rose and mother Mary. Also hear my rendition of 'Let it Be.' Listen on Spotify or Apple.

🍁 REVIVAL - a 6-session autumn intensive
Spirit-led support for big projects, big initiations and moments where you need some added accountability, structure and vision. Revival is a perfect opportunity for a full reset of your spirit, body and mission. Includes 6 x private 1-1 sessions to use anytime you want over the next 6 months, and 3 bonus courses. This offer is only available until October 15th. Click here to read all the details and get your first session on the books.

Okay. Onward!

I’ve been studying with a tantric Buddhist teacher for the past two years. In a recent class, she spoke about approaching deities with appropriate respect—she shared how she cannot believe it when she enters some people’s homes to find statues or pictures of the Buddha in their bathroom.

This made me laugh! 

Then, it made me think.

We Westerners do have a rather unceremonious approach to such things, don’t we?

On a bio break, I felt relieved not only to empty my bladder, but also to verify that neither of my bathrooms held any depictions of deities.

An invitation:
Go into your bathrooms and look around. If you have any Buddhas or Quan Yins or any other depictions of deities, why did you put them there? Is the bathroom where you go to pray? Does their location and treatment actually honor them in a respectful way?

There’s a LOT we could unpack here that would make this email really long, like…

Am I appropriating these symbols?

Do I really know what I’m doing when I invoke these archetypes?

Is there genuine respect in my body, or am I simply using them for decor?

These questions aren’t meant to fuel shame—they are genuine inquiries!

And, there’s some nuance to explore here.

It feels absolutely right to embody sincere respect as we invoke the sacred in our lives—and, it’s also true that even the mundane is sacred.

As I contemplate how to more respectfully approach deities, mantras and other sacred practices in my life, I’m also reflecting on a seemingly paradoxical teaching regarding the rosary—apparently, it can be prayed and worked with anytime! Including while doing the dishes, tending the kids or answering emails. I don’t know about on the toilet or in the bathroom. That feels like a bit of a stretch, but…

I suppose it all comes back to intention, volition, and attention.

Intention: the aim behind the action.
What is the point of this practice, or object? What is my conscious intention as I place or step into the action of engaging with it? Is there a deeper intention beyond it looking or sounding good?

Volition: the driving force behind the action.
Often arising automatically from our patterns, volition is slightly different than intention. It’s what turns our thoughts into deeds and behaviors. What drove me to acquire this object and then place it here? What does my current treatment of it reflect back to me

Attention: the presence I bring.
Once I’ve placed that piece of art or object, how do I engage with it? What attention do I continue to give it in my daily life? What actions would honor my original intention?

Ps. I recorded a podcast episode on my recent explorations and discoveries with the rosary which just came out this week. Give it a listen on Spotify or Apple — and if you enjoy my podcast, please share it with someone! 🌹

Pps. speaking of deities, spirits and the sacred, it's Samhain season, which means I'm once again obsessed with this All Hallows playlist. Pagan autumn vibes for when the veil is thin. Highly recommend!