Spring is back with a passion! Temperatures at 6:30 pm are about 52 degrees with a cool breeze that sways and flutters leaves and branches into a piano player's frenzy. I spent the day outside gardening and monitoring the geese, Ander and Lucy. I chased them away from our vegetable garden--which now contains lettuce, one of their favorite foods--numerous times.
Utter greenness. We plant more and more flowers to bring color into the forest. Even white flowers like lilies of the valley and trillium stand out dramatically against the rich green background. Lupines, one of the local favorites, are currently out in full force so splotches of bright purple and pink echo everywhere.
My TCC practice on the deck was interrupted by Frances's return home from a daylong project. Normally I'd move to a more private area but today I allowed my practice to be interrupted with our brief conversation. As a result I discovered that it was easy to continue my movements as Frances talked. I had no problem staying in sync, counting my repetitions, and maintaining my relaxation and composure.
I also noted that the t'ai chi chih movements have integrated themselves so deeply into my body/mind that I smoothly continued my practice with no effort. During the remainder of TCC practice I recognized the buzz of territorial hummingbirds battling over their feeder and the pumping tail of an Eastern phoebe who watched me from afar.
Which reminds me ... the female phoebe became trapped in our house last night. Frances went out the patio door under the phoebe's nest to retrieve Namaste and, before Frances could close the door behind her, the phoebe had flown inside.
We tried to locate the bird and shoo her back outside with absolutely no luck. So we did the next best thing. It was 10:30 pm. We turned off all the lights except for the outside light by the patio door, we left the patio door wide open, and we went to bed. When we got up this morning, the phoebe was back in her nest incubating her four white eggs.
I believe my suggestion to simply go to bed was a t'ai chi chih moment. We didn't need to escort our phoebe out the door, just trust that given silence and opportunity, she would find her own way....
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Where Attention Goes, Energy Flows
Yep. More glory today: tremendous sunshine flowed through azure blue skies and low humidity air. It was so beautiful that we couldn't resist taking an evening walk with Namaste on Bayview beach.
Since the water is low this year there were areas where small sandbars were forming near shore. When I waded out through ankle deep water onto several of these bars, the water was so warm (for Lake Superior!) that the thought of swimming crossed my mind. That's pretty radical for this time of year....
I feel better and better with each passing day. Tonight's TCC practice was conducted indoors as dusk fell. I avoided the swarm of mosquitoes around my ankles by staying inside. Interestingly, as my headaches abate my mind--which couldn't contain thoughts during my week of pain--is now up and running. During tonight's practice I felt as if mind was making up for lost time because there were moments of intense Monkey Mind busyness.
A former student called today to ask for a tune-up session. She's been practicing on her own for four or five years. When she recently watched the Stone video, she noticed discrepancies between her practice and that depicted on-screen. She deduced that she may have fallen into some bad habits. Welcome to the club.
It's gratifying to have students who are committed to practicing TCC correctly. As refinements are made the door opens to greater energy flow and the potential for additional positive life changes. That's true for students and teachers alike.
Since the water is low this year there were areas where small sandbars were forming near shore. When I waded out through ankle deep water onto several of these bars, the water was so warm (for Lake Superior!) that the thought of swimming crossed my mind. That's pretty radical for this time of year....
I feel better and better with each passing day. Tonight's TCC practice was conducted indoors as dusk fell. I avoided the swarm of mosquitoes around my ankles by staying inside. Interestingly, as my headaches abate my mind--which couldn't contain thoughts during my week of pain--is now up and running. During tonight's practice I felt as if mind was making up for lost time because there were moments of intense Monkey Mind busyness.
A former student called today to ask for a tune-up session. She's been practicing on her own for four or five years. When she recently watched the Stone video, she noticed discrepancies between her practice and that depicted on-screen. She deduced that she may have fallen into some bad habits. Welcome to the club.
It's gratifying to have students who are committed to practicing TCC correctly. As refinements are made the door opens to greater energy flow and the potential for additional positive life changes. That's true for students and teachers alike.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Evening Glow
After a generous rain I walked down the drive early this morning marveling at the light that shone from the vibrant green leaves all around me. The humidity is gone! Today was a slightly breezy, glowing with health spring day.
In addition, my body is beginning to heal. Yesterday I proudly commented to Frances that I knew I was getting better because I only took two naps. She laughed. Today I took one. To me the shortening nap times are huge signs of progress.
During this evening's TCC practice I marveled at the way I flowed through the form. Oh, it is so much easier to practice when the majority of muscle aches are gone.
And, with a mostly-disappeared headache, I can think again! As someone who has struggled to put a few words together for this blog over the past week of sickness--Anyone notice how short my blogs were?--it is a hugh relief to have brainpower AND bodypower again, reduced though they may be.
TCC practice tonight felt stable and effortless which was a distinct difference from the practices I performed during the height of this illness. Now the sky is filled with rosy pink clouds as the sun dips its head into the distant horizon and reflects its light back into the evening sky.
In addition, my body is beginning to heal. Yesterday I proudly commented to Frances that I knew I was getting better because I only took two naps. She laughed. Today I took one. To me the shortening nap times are huge signs of progress.
During this evening's TCC practice I marveled at the way I flowed through the form. Oh, it is so much easier to practice when the majority of muscle aches are gone.
And, with a mostly-disappeared headache, I can think again! As someone who has struggled to put a few words together for this blog over the past week of sickness--Anyone notice how short my blogs were?--it is a hugh relief to have brainpower AND bodypower again, reduced though they may be.
TCC practice tonight felt stable and effortless which was a distinct difference from the practices I performed during the height of this illness. Now the sky is filled with rosy pink clouds as the sun dips its head into the distant horizon and reflects its light back into the evening sky.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Temps Down, Spirits Up
Hurrah! Rain. Hurrah! Noticeable improvements in my health.
Our super-hot spring came to an abrupt halt this afternoon when an impressive rain storm thundered into our area. From highs in the 80s we slip-slided away to the high 50s. And the rain, the rain was glorious! Frances reports that much of our driveway washed downhill. Today's rain is the first drenching of the year and I am pleased.
As for health issues, I did relent and see an MD this morning after last night's temperature reading of 102. I was informed there's a virus going around and I was not the first to show up at the clinic with these symtoms.
Just like the weather temps my own temperature plunged to 98.6 after my doctor's visit. I'm feeling less anxious and more impatient now since my aches and pains, low appetite, and cough have graced my days for over a week and I'm tremendously worn down.
Today's TCC practice felt good as I moved myself to the rhythm of the rain and the gloom of the skies. I realized that in previous years when I felt ill I often abandoned my TCC practice until I felt better. This time around, though, I did things differently. I didn't always get completely through my practice but everyday I spent at least 15-20 minutes. Some days that was about the only movement I did--along with a wee bit of walking--before I was back in bed asleep.
TCC practice gave me a feedback mechanism to experience how my body felt as it weakened and how sensations changed as it began to rebound. I'm the first to admit: engaging in a TCC practice when you feel sick is difficult, but I'm so glad that I did....
Our super-hot spring came to an abrupt halt this afternoon when an impressive rain storm thundered into our area. From highs in the 80s we slip-slided away to the high 50s. And the rain, the rain was glorious! Frances reports that much of our driveway washed downhill. Today's rain is the first drenching of the year and I am pleased.
As for health issues, I did relent and see an MD this morning after last night's temperature reading of 102. I was informed there's a virus going around and I was not the first to show up at the clinic with these symtoms.
Just like the weather temps my own temperature plunged to 98.6 after my doctor's visit. I'm feeling less anxious and more impatient now since my aches and pains, low appetite, and cough have graced my days for over a week and I'm tremendously worn down.
Today's TCC practice felt good as I moved myself to the rhythm of the rain and the gloom of the skies. I realized that in previous years when I felt ill I often abandoned my TCC practice until I felt better. This time around, though, I did things differently. I didn't always get completely through my practice but everyday I spent at least 15-20 minutes. Some days that was about the only movement I did--along with a wee bit of walking--before I was back in bed asleep.
TCC practice gave me a feedback mechanism to experience how my body felt as it weakened and how sensations changed as it began to rebound. I'm the first to admit: engaging in a TCC practice when you feel sick is difficult, but I'm so glad that I did....
Monday, May 24, 2010
Weather Improving
I still have that under-the-weather feeling but the weather is starting to improve. My t'ai chi chih practice tonight felt easier. I could move my arms around Platters and Bass Drums and over Mountains and into Valleys without experiencing aches and pains ... that's a very good thing.
The outside weather is beginning to cool down a bit too. What a relief! When I talk to other folks who live up here they say the same thing: It's just not right for it to be so hot this early in the year.
We've been waiting for a rainstorm for days and still hope that one will arrive soon. Despite the incredible dryness our woods looks lush and green. We sat out on the deck today and watched the hummers buzzing each other, swinging up and down through the air like a carnival ride. One hummingbird actually swooped the cat repeatedly (not wise, not wise at all).
The outside weather is beginning to cool down a bit too. What a relief! When I talk to other folks who live up here they say the same thing: It's just not right for it to be so hot this early in the year.
We've been waiting for a rainstorm for days and still hope that one will arrive soon. Despite the incredible dryness our woods looks lush and green. We sat out on the deck today and watched the hummers buzzing each other, swinging up and down through the air like a carnival ride. One hummingbird actually swooped the cat repeatedly (not wise, not wise at all).
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Everything is based on mind ...
Today reminded me of days in late July/early August before the cooling mornings lead the way toward fall. It was hot, muggy, dare I use the word oppressive? In the evening we drove to Little Sand Bay to experience some of Lake Superior's refrigerated air. What a relief!
Something is still not right with my body. I want someone to tell me what it is and what I can do to fix it and ... that's not going to happen. In the meantime, I sleep a lot, have high blood sugars, cough and feel pressure in my chest.
During my TCC practice this evening my heart rate was up again. I used whatever available strength I had to simply make it through the movements. Yet it was good to engage myself in my practice because it's so easy to get caught in the clutches of an overactive mind and then one knows they are lost.
I'm reminded of a quote by the Buddha from The Little Zen Companion (p. 346):
Something is still not right with my body. I want someone to tell me what it is and what I can do to fix it and ... that's not going to happen. In the meantime, I sleep a lot, have high blood sugars, cough and feel pressure in my chest.
During my TCC practice this evening my heart rate was up again. I used whatever available strength I had to simply make it through the movements. Yet it was good to engage myself in my practice because it's so easy to get caught in the clutches of an overactive mind and then one knows they are lost.
I'm reminded of a quote by the Buddha from The Little Zen Companion (p. 346):
Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a polluted mind, suffering will follow you, as the wheels of the oxcart follow the footsteps of the ox. Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a pure mind, happiness will follow you, as a shadow clings to a form.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
In the Middle of Beauty
My body is whacked out. Blood sugars are high; back, spine, and shoulders are sore and rigid; and I have an unidentified cough that won't go away. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat or how often I test as blood sugars are always high. I'm in a conundrum ... what is happening to me? So far, I'm clueless.
I'm keeping to my exercise schedule the best I can. Today's walk was at a greatly reduced pace. Today's t'ai chi chih practice was also cut back to allow me to sit down and rest. I feel concern but I also realize that I have some healthy habits in place that continue to help me through the uncertainities of whatever is changing in my body.
After a long nap this afternoon I practiced TCC in the midst of sun-dappled leaves. The quiet green surroundings help me to slow down and also bring comfort my mind. Here I am--now--in the middle of beauty.
I'm keeping to my exercise schedule the best I can. Today's walk was at a greatly reduced pace. Today's t'ai chi chih practice was also cut back to allow me to sit down and rest. I feel concern but I also realize that I have some healthy habits in place that continue to help me through the uncertainities of whatever is changing in my body.
After a long nap this afternoon I practiced TCC in the midst of sun-dappled leaves. The quiet green surroundings help me to slow down and also bring comfort my mind. Here I am--now--in the middle of beauty.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)