It's another day in the neighborhood.... I heard light rain this morning and now it's pure sunshine. I talked with a brother in southeastern Minnesota today who told me that his weather forecast is for temperatures over 100 degrees by the end of the week (and, yes, I'm scheduled to drive down for a visit!).
I did another TCC outdoor practice and, interestingly, the predominating sensory observation was insect noises everywhere. A few mosquitoes decided to make an in-person visit, but otherwise all else was quiet. My animals are becoming so familiar with my outside TCC practice that they're beginning to ignore me, but not so with the bugs.
I felt hyper and anxious when I got out of bed today but now I feel more centered and calm. Yes! Even as the mosquitoes assailed me I was able to get out the bugs.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Outdoor TCC Practices: The Why and What For
Saturday, July 7, 2012:
Today was a busier than busy day. I got up early to help Frances prepare for the Farmers Market and then opened the Bayfield Library and spent the day working there. After work I drove home to visit with Frances and an out-of-town friend who arrived to help us learn how to post items for sale on Craig's List and e-Bay.
Whew! T'ai Chi Chih practice was reserved for ten brief minutes before I tumbled, exhausted, into bed. But even those ten minutes made a difference as I felt my body relax and gently release stored tension from this too-rushed day.
Sunday, July 8, 2012:
Ahhhh. Today I'm allowing myself time to reestablish balance in my life. I'm staying home (alone this morning), resting, napping, reading, relaxing, doing T'ai Chi Chih practice, and simply be-ing. It feels great! I truly don't know how people can spend day-after-day in rush-around mode. I can't do it. After several days I feel my energy flag and, often, my body starts to feel ill. I absolutely crave the be-ing along with the do-ing.
Today's TCC practice outside with the dog and goose was wonderful (as usual!). I watched the sunlight dance with the shade, listened to the hummingbird buzz around her feeder, and felt the gentle touch of breeze on skin.
It reminded me of a passage in the book I finished this morning, "Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Pie." The author, Beth Howard writes:
"For as much as making pie soothes my soul, I find my greatest solace in nature. Just as the Grand Canyon gave me that feeling of peace about the meaning of life, when I am walking in the soybean field, the world just seems to make more sense. My rubber farm boots firmly connecting with the ground, the views of the fields all the way to the horizon, flocks of geese flying overhead, the sound of nothing but prairie grass rustling in the wind, the cool air and sun on my face, breathing in the earthy scent of wet hay and moist soil--my surroundings serve as a spiritual connective tissue. Pie connects me with people, but nature connects me with God and with myself."
And that, my friends, is one of the reasons I do as many of my TCC practices outdoors as possible....
Today was a busier than busy day. I got up early to help Frances prepare for the Farmers Market and then opened the Bayfield Library and spent the day working there. After work I drove home to visit with Frances and an out-of-town friend who arrived to help us learn how to post items for sale on Craig's List and e-Bay.
Whew! T'ai Chi Chih practice was reserved for ten brief minutes before I tumbled, exhausted, into bed. But even those ten minutes made a difference as I felt my body relax and gently release stored tension from this too-rushed day.
Sunday, July 8, 2012:
Ahhhh. Today I'm allowing myself time to reestablish balance in my life. I'm staying home (alone this morning), resting, napping, reading, relaxing, doing T'ai Chi Chih practice, and simply be-ing. It feels great! I truly don't know how people can spend day-after-day in rush-around mode. I can't do it. After several days I feel my energy flag and, often, my body starts to feel ill. I absolutely crave the be-ing along with the do-ing.
Today's TCC practice outside with the dog and goose was wonderful (as usual!). I watched the sunlight dance with the shade, listened to the hummingbird buzz around her feeder, and felt the gentle touch of breeze on skin.
It reminded me of a passage in the book I finished this morning, "Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Pie." The author, Beth Howard writes:
"For as much as making pie soothes my soul, I find my greatest solace in nature. Just as the Grand Canyon gave me that feeling of peace about the meaning of life, when I am walking in the soybean field, the world just seems to make more sense. My rubber farm boots firmly connecting with the ground, the views of the fields all the way to the horizon, flocks of geese flying overhead, the sound of nothing but prairie grass rustling in the wind, the cool air and sun on my face, breathing in the earthy scent of wet hay and moist soil--my surroundings serve as a spiritual connective tissue. Pie connects me with people, but nature connects me with God and with myself."
And that, my friends, is one of the reasons I do as many of my TCC practices outdoors as possible....
Friday, July 6, 2012
Cool Down (in temps and tension)
Many hearts are filled with gratitude for today's cool down. Temps stayed in the 60s and low 70s and many an out-of-town visitor to the library mentioned how happy they were to escape the unending heat.
I did T'ai Chi Chih after an over-the-top day at work (busy, busy, busy). The practice helped me realize where I was holding tension throughout my body, especially in my neck and back. My focus: Let it go. Let it go. Let it go.
Yes! I feel better and--finally--ready to relax.
I did T'ai Chi Chih after an over-the-top day at work (busy, busy, busy). The practice helped me realize where I was holding tension throughout my body, especially in my neck and back. My focus: Let it go. Let it go. Let it go.
Yes! I feel better and--finally--ready to relax.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Sharing the Energy with My Animal Family
I feel calmer. With the assistance of my daily T'ai Chi Chih practices and the welcome addition of two friends who offered to send Reiki energy, my mindbody/bodymind have settled into a more relaxed state.
When I went outside for today's TCC practice, I was immediately surrounded by a meeting of the minds (Lucy, Namaste, and Chiripa all gathered close by). Midway through practice I decided to stand and found that the three white critters were arranged in a nearby semi-circle. It took little effort on my part to edge my way over to the others while I flowed through Perpetual Motion Taffy and soon, our four bodies created a circle.
It was a joy to practice in the round with a goose, dog, and cat (all other times my circle practices have included other people!). After practice I sat in meditation to "receive" the energy and my 10-minute session flew by.
Joy through movement. Joy through collaboration. Joy through sharing the energy with the animals who are closest to my heart!
When I went outside for today's TCC practice, I was immediately surrounded by a meeting of the minds (Lucy, Namaste, and Chiripa all gathered close by). Midway through practice I decided to stand and found that the three white critters were arranged in a nearby semi-circle. It took little effort on my part to edge my way over to the others while I flowed through Perpetual Motion Taffy and soon, our four bodies created a circle.
It was a joy to practice in the round with a goose, dog, and cat (all other times my circle practices have included other people!). After practice I sat in meditation to "receive" the energy and my 10-minute session flew by.
Joy through movement. Joy through collaboration. Joy through sharing the energy with the animals who are closest to my heart!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Potato Salad and T'ai Chi Chih
It's July 4th ... hot, humid, and deeply quiet here in the middle of the forest. In the distance I hear the occasional bang of a firecracker but, for the most part, it is wonderfully still.
I did my T'ai Chi Chih practice after making a favorite summer holiday offering: potato salad. I may not celebrate this holiday, but obviously I can't escape the years and years of tradition that are an integral part of American culture.
It feels steamy but, miraculously, there's an occasional light cooling breeze. And so, I joined the goose and dog outside for our daily ritual. The animals slept as I did my practice and focused on quiet calmness and Chi flow.
I begin my outdoor summer TCC class next Thursday. It's time for me to engage myself in the mental preparation that precedes each new class session. One way I prepare is by directing concentrated intention on my own personal TCC practice. Whatever I learn in my day-to-day practice often becomes a "lesson" for my students. How wonderful to be able to share our insights and experiences with one another!
I did my T'ai Chi Chih practice after making a favorite summer holiday offering: potato salad. I may not celebrate this holiday, but obviously I can't escape the years and years of tradition that are an integral part of American culture.
It feels steamy but, miraculously, there's an occasional light cooling breeze. And so, I joined the goose and dog outside for our daily ritual. The animals slept as I did my practice and focused on quiet calmness and Chi flow.
I begin my outdoor summer TCC class next Thursday. It's time for me to engage myself in the mental preparation that precedes each new class session. One way I prepare is by directing concentrated intention on my own personal TCC practice. Whatever I learn in my day-to-day practice often becomes a "lesson" for my students. How wonderful to be able to share our insights and experiences with one another!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Gardening, Weeding, Letting Go...
Monday, July 2, 2012:
Yesterday I worked in the garden with Frances and found yet another opportunity to let go of my ego. As I had several weeks ago, I placed newspapers around the plants to keep weeds down. And, again, the newspapers I used were old editions of the Minnesota Women's Press that contained my freelance articles.
It felt difficult to lay Norma, Jean, Nancy, Kaia, Antiga, and many other Twin Cities' women (along with their stories) upon the roots of our tomato plants. I remembered when these women told me their tales of courage, struggle, adventure, and accomplishment and was grateful for the time we spent together as they shared a piece of their lives with me (which I then shared with the newspaper's Twin Cities' audience).
In addition to the profiles I published, there were features on a variety of spiritual topics: movement as a form of prayer (which included T'ai Chi Chih); feng shui; spiritual direction training programs in the Twin Cities; the spiritual, healing connection between people and animals; and a tale of two women who led spiritual quests to the British Isles. These stories, too, I needed to release into the soil (paper to compost to fruits and vegetables).
Frances and I talked about my process as we worked, and she recognized that it felt a little bit like death to me. It was time for me to let go of the women and words in order to move on to the next phase of my life (still, it felt strangely painful).
Tonight's 9:00 p.m. T'ai Chi Chih practice was accompanied by the music of thunder and the visual effects of lightning. I'm tired and, though merely going through the motions on one level, I feel the healing flow of energy on another.
When I finish my practice I'm off to bed ... I still need more rest.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012:
I feel calmer today. A rowdy, raucous storm passed through the area last night and now the woods--and my bodymind--are quiet in the aftermath.
I did a morning cleansing qigong, T'ai Chi Chih, and seated meditation practice to settle the worried, fretful thoughts that have plagued me morning and night this past month. Worry truly does nothing to change the situation so why not simply move forward with strength and faith that this path I'm on (wherever it leads) will take me where I need to go next? This, I think, is one of my lessons....
It will be Hot (capital H) this afternoon and I'm grateful that I'll be at work in the air-conditioned library. For the moment, I'm enjoying the still, coolish, quiet peace of the woods.
Yesterday I worked in the garden with Frances and found yet another opportunity to let go of my ego. As I had several weeks ago, I placed newspapers around the plants to keep weeds down. And, again, the newspapers I used were old editions of the Minnesota Women's Press that contained my freelance articles.
It felt difficult to lay Norma, Jean, Nancy, Kaia, Antiga, and many other Twin Cities' women (along with their stories) upon the roots of our tomato plants. I remembered when these women told me their tales of courage, struggle, adventure, and accomplishment and was grateful for the time we spent together as they shared a piece of their lives with me (which I then shared with the newspaper's Twin Cities' audience).
In addition to the profiles I published, there were features on a variety of spiritual topics: movement as a form of prayer (which included T'ai Chi Chih); feng shui; spiritual direction training programs in the Twin Cities; the spiritual, healing connection between people and animals; and a tale of two women who led spiritual quests to the British Isles. These stories, too, I needed to release into the soil (paper to compost to fruits and vegetables).
Frances and I talked about my process as we worked, and she recognized that it felt a little bit like death to me. It was time for me to let go of the women and words in order to move on to the next phase of my life (still, it felt strangely painful).
Tonight's 9:00 p.m. T'ai Chi Chih practice was accompanied by the music of thunder and the visual effects of lightning. I'm tired and, though merely going through the motions on one level, I feel the healing flow of energy on another.
When I finish my practice I'm off to bed ... I still need more rest.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012:
I feel calmer today. A rowdy, raucous storm passed through the area last night and now the woods--and my bodymind--are quiet in the aftermath.
I did a morning cleansing qigong, T'ai Chi Chih, and seated meditation practice to settle the worried, fretful thoughts that have plagued me morning and night this past month. Worry truly does nothing to change the situation so why not simply move forward with strength and faith that this path I'm on (wherever it leads) will take me where I need to go next? This, I think, is one of my lessons....
It will be Hot (capital H) this afternoon and I'm grateful that I'll be at work in the air-conditioned library. For the moment, I'm enjoying the still, coolish, quiet peace of the woods.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Power of the Mind
Though Frances and I are experiencing a lot of stress right now it seems clear that what we're going through is leading us to the next path in our shared journey. It's clear that my life is not riding a jet stream right now, but I have to say that I'm learning about myself and about the power of the mind to help or heed with each thought I think....
Saturday, June 30, 2012:
Today I came close to having a panic attack. My chest was tight, I had a chronic cough, my anxiety levels were sky high, and I was on the verge of ??? Finally, I told Frances that I needed to lie on the Migun massage bed and, in that quieter state I did a mental TCC rehearsal. Ah, better.
Once my muscles and mind relaxed I was able to continue on with my day. I worked at the library, worked in the garden, and came home to another standing TCC practice. Again, better.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Sunday, July 1, 2012:
I feel a bit quieter today. After I finished cleaning the frig (a project that Frances started yesterday), I went outside for TCC practice. It's a beautiful hot day so I positioned myself in deep shade and greatly appreciated every breeze that blew my way. Just like yesterday, I'm better off from having taken time for my moving meditation practice.
Now it's on to the next project....
Saturday, June 30, 2012:
Today I came close to having a panic attack. My chest was tight, I had a chronic cough, my anxiety levels were sky high, and I was on the verge of ??? Finally, I told Frances that I needed to lie on the Migun massage bed and, in that quieter state I did a mental TCC rehearsal. Ah, better.
Once my muscles and mind relaxed I was able to continue on with my day. I worked at the library, worked in the garden, and came home to another standing TCC practice. Again, better.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Sunday, July 1, 2012:
I feel a bit quieter today. After I finished cleaning the frig (a project that Frances started yesterday), I went outside for TCC practice. It's a beautiful hot day so I positioned myself in deep shade and greatly appreciated every breeze that blew my way. Just like yesterday, I'm better off from having taken time for my moving meditation practice.
Now it's on to the next project....
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