"The Sweet Spot between Doing and Being"

Two days ago my desktop computer went capooey (spelling?). Consequently I'm borrowing time on other laptops (just a forewarning that this blog may be sporadic until we arrange for someone to look at the ailing machine).

Today between class sessions I reread a Daily Good article entitled, "The Sweet Spot between Doing and Being" by Viral Mehta. I wished to share some gems from this article with this evening's TCC continuing students. There were so many wonderful points discussed in the article, however, that it was hard to choose the juiciest.

Let's start with an Indian proverb from the story's lead: "When one foot walks, the other foot rests." That, of course, is the way nature works: cycles and rhythms help us to measure and live our lives (night and day, full and new moon, yin and yang).

The culture within which we live lends more importance to doing and creating vs. the subtle value of resting and being. "Our rational minds need space for the emergent, unknown and unplanned to arise. Within the existing paradigm, the external comes first, the internal takes a backseat, and in deference to measurability, we become more tuned in to doing than to being."

Ultimately, it's all about balance, balancing rest with activity, being with doing. It struck me today that that was my realization when I felt so stressed out yesterday morning. I could no longer effectively do because of my anxiety levels; I simply needed time to be to let go of the accumulated tension in my body. Yes, I'm learning . . . slowly.

This morning I held my final T'ai Chi Chih class at Humble Be (subbing). I only taught four sessions, but I thoroughly enjoyed my students who were regular practitioners of Humble Be's variety of offerings: yoga (beginning, advanced, and "hot"); drumming; belly, latin, and African dance; T'ai Chi Ch'uan; and other martial arts. These are folks who intentionally seek relaxation, rest, centering, and quieting of the mind and body. What a gift to teach those who are already searching....

Now it's time to head to my two evening TCC classes.

I become part of it...

The mountains, I become part of it ...
The herbs, the fir tree, I become part of it.
The morning mists, the clouds, the gathering
     waters,
I become part of it.
The wilderness, the dew drops, the
     pollen ...
I become part of it.
          Navajo Chant
          From: Earth Prayers, p. 5

I was reminded of this chant today when I thought about my blog yesterday on Oneness and unity. Today's TCC practice was another good example of how it feels to become part of the wonder of nature.

While I moved through my T'ai Chi Chih practice this evening the earth was still, and a light, soft rain pattered upon the leaves and undergrowth. The gentle rain soothed me as I listened to its quiet conversation from the inside of my screened window.

I was a tree. I was the rain. I was a leaf drenched by the rain's liquid massage. It felt comforting and comfortable to be a part of everything. Which reminds me of another quote I read on this internet this morning from Daily Good:

Through meditation and by giving full attention to one thing at a time, we can learn to direct attention where we choose.
          --Eknath Easwaran