It's the Bayfield Arts Festival weekend. Downtown streets streamed with visitors when I visited town to shop at the Farmers' Market.
I bought some awesome bread and produce while I chatted with farmers and friends. Then I listened to a neighbor's story about a predatory black bear that chased him, his son, and their dog in two separate incidents. Tony owns property that borders the backside of our 25 acres. He speculated that these frightening encounters may be related to hunters who bait bear prior to the start of bear hunting season.
This afternoon we expect out of town guests so we're cooking, baking, and clearning like madwimmin. I practiced TCC in the yard mid-afternoon in the presence of our geese. During my first repetition of Bird Flaps Its Wings Ander joined in and flapped his own wings with gleeful abandon. Then both Ander and Lucy drew close and observed the rest of my practice.
I feel calm, rested, and well-prepared for our friends arrival....
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
I become part of it...
The mountains, I become part of it ...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.
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
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
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Chi = Compassion and Cooperation
Our TCC class moved through another wonderful outdoor practice this morning. At one point it was so quiet--all I heard was the sound of several dogs barking in the distance--that it seemed as if time had stopped. How special it felt to dwell in that one timeless moment....
After practice we read and discussed Verse 68 of the Tao ("Living by Cooperating" per Wayne Dyer and "Heaven's Lead" per Ursula LeGuin). This verse is the shortest or one of the shortest verses in the Tao. LeGuin sums up its message in her final line: To follow heaven's lead has always been the best way.
Dyer explained:
The essence of our T'ai Chi Chih movement form is all about cooperation, sharing, and growing as One. First, though, we must be willing to relinquish the ego for the ultimate good of All.
After practice we read and discussed Verse 68 of the Tao ("Living by Cooperating" per Wayne Dyer and "Heaven's Lead" per Ursula LeGuin). This verse is the shortest or one of the shortest verses in the Tao. LeGuin sums up its message in her final line: To follow heaven's lead has always been the best way.
Dyer explained:
The Tao Te Ching teaches that all of the 10,000 things emerge from the same state of nonbeing. Here there's only oneness, which implies complete collaboration, not competition. Who can there be to defeat if you see yourself in everyone?How is this sense of oneness, of cooperation versus competition, reflected in our practice of TCC? For me, TCC is a dance with the Universe. When we move through the form, we engage in a joint effort to collaborate and unify our minds/bodies/spirits. The power of the Chi energy increases as we move in silent unity while we focus on rooting ourselves in earth and suspending ourselves from sky. As we feel our Onessness with all of nature, our hearts and minds expand beyond our single, solitary self into a space of compassion, cooperation, and non-competition.
The essence of our T'ai Chi Chih movement form is all about cooperation, sharing, and growing as One. First, though, we must be willing to relinquish the ego for the ultimate good of All.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Merging with the Flow
The essence of life shall never be known by a human being as long as that person seeks to observe life like viewer and subject. The absolutely essential nature of life can only be comprehended by merging fully with the flow of life, so that one is utterly a part of it.The rain that fell from the sky last night resulted in a precious and beautiful day today: low humidity, light, cooling breezes, and glowing sunlight.
From: 365 Tao, Deng Ming-Dao, p. 208 ("Essence")
During this afternoon's TCC practice I observed the flutter of sunlight on forest-darkened leaves. I basked in the cool breath of air that rushed through my window and moved like a deer gently treading across rain-softened earth. For me, that's the joy that comes from living and practicing within this tree-filled landscape. I can easily join in the dance of the Universe. Undisturbed by human activities and expectations I merge with the environment, the atmosphere, and the landscape that surrounds me.
It bathes me in peace....
Which brings me to today's reading of 365 Tao, "Trap" (p. 209). I quote:
Many people allow themselves to be trapped into a miserable life....I'm happily abnormal. Though I may sometimes feel as though I'm swimming upstream it's more likely that I'm softly floating downstream and, just like the reluctant messiah in Richard Bach's Illusions (see "Floating Free" blog, July 6, 2010), I'm riding the tide of Chi that carries me where I need to go....
Those who follow Tao do not want to end up in this way. They want to be free. They do not want to be victims. Therefore, although it is a difficult path, they constantly seek to expand the parameters of their lives. They do not suffer to be exploited or enslaved, and they will eschew what is considered 'normal' in order to be happy.
Postscript: Sometimes that ride is bumpy and uncomfortable but it doesn't mean that I should abandon the flow (i.e., The Way).
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Watchfully waiting ... watchfully moving
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 -- Watchfully waiting for rain
It's ironic. We spent three full days and two partial days in the Roseau, MN area and experienced rainfall every single day. In Bayfield no rain fell. Now that we're home again there's a hovering humidity that promises to shower down upon us soon.
It feels great to be back with our animals. Our animal/house sitter experienced a variety of wild creatures while we were gone (a mama black bear with one to two cubs, another yearling black bear, and a mama deer with two fawns). Thus far we're simply enjoying the presence of our own animal friends.
Chiripa rushed up a tree trunk near the front door this morning. If that wasn't enough, she ventured out onto a narrow branch, turned, and as she tightroped her way back toward the trunk, slipped off the branch and dangled, supported only by her front claws. She hung and swung her way to the tree trunk, clutching tightly with those same claws, then ventured downward.
Chiripa's method to disem-bark is dicey. She starts down the trunk headfirst and loses her balance because her claws can't hold when she's moving forward. Her rear end flips around and then she quickly backs down the tree paw by paw.
I'm tired today from the traveling and socializing that filled my days during our trip. My just-finished TCC practice out in the porch was a welcome rejuvenator. My flagging energy revived as I moved through the thick, heavy air and stared watchfully into the deep, dark forest.
We're back in our peaceful woods and happy to be here....
It's ironic. We spent three full days and two partial days in the Roseau, MN area and experienced rainfall every single day. In Bayfield no rain fell. Now that we're home again there's a hovering humidity that promises to shower down upon us soon.
It feels great to be back with our animals. Our animal/house sitter experienced a variety of wild creatures while we were gone (a mama black bear with one to two cubs, another yearling black bear, and a mama deer with two fawns). Thus far we're simply enjoying the presence of our own animal friends.
Chiripa rushed up a tree trunk near the front door this morning. If that wasn't enough, she ventured out onto a narrow branch, turned, and as she tightroped her way back toward the trunk, slipped off the branch and dangled, supported only by her front claws. She hung and swung her way to the tree trunk, clutching tightly with those same claws, then ventured downward.
Chiripa's method to disem-bark is dicey. She starts down the trunk headfirst and loses her balance because her claws can't hold when she's moving forward. Her rear end flips around and then she quickly backs down the tree paw by paw.
I'm tired today from the traveling and socializing that filled my days during our trip. My just-finished TCC practice out in the porch was a welcome rejuvenator. My flagging energy revived as I moved through the thick, heavy air and stared watchfully into the deep, dark forest.
We're back in our peaceful woods and happy to be here....
Travel T'ai Chi Chih
Monday, July 26, 2010 -- Travel day from northwestern Minnesota to northwestern Wisconsin
Heavy rain this morning in the flatlands of Roseau County. Water stands in the ditches ... and the fields. By the time we left for home skies had cleared and the sun shone. Today was our first opportunity to visit one-on-one with our host family (Frances's brother and sister-in-law) due to other visitors, the Roseau County Fair, a short overnight trip Curtis and Becky had already scheduled, and our various comings-and-goings.
I took a clue from the student I recently wrote about who reiterated the benefits of rehearsing T'ai Chi Chih in his mind. Since we were on the road all afternoon and evening I decided to practice TCC in my head while I sat at our dinner table in Bridgeman's. I started with Rocking Motion and made it through Pulling in the Energy. It felt sooo good. And, I'll bet, it kept me awake and alert for the rest of our journey.
After our late evening arrival and a short visit with our animal- and home-caretaker, I finished my practice by moving next to my bed before I crawled in. Then I slept like a bear in her den ... total comfort. The combination of a mental and physical practice with hours in between may have been a first for me and it worked wonderfully.
It's interesting to realize that sometimes our students need to remind us of the words we've spoken at previous class sessions. Thanks to this student I managed a full practice during a long, full, and tiring day.
Heavy rain this morning in the flatlands of Roseau County. Water stands in the ditches ... and the fields. By the time we left for home skies had cleared and the sun shone. Today was our first opportunity to visit one-on-one with our host family (Frances's brother and sister-in-law) due to other visitors, the Roseau County Fair, a short overnight trip Curtis and Becky had already scheduled, and our various comings-and-goings.
I took a clue from the student I recently wrote about who reiterated the benefits of rehearsing T'ai Chi Chih in his mind. Since we were on the road all afternoon and evening I decided to practice TCC in my head while I sat at our dinner table in Bridgeman's. I started with Rocking Motion and made it through Pulling in the Energy. It felt sooo good. And, I'll bet, it kept me awake and alert for the rest of our journey.
After our late evening arrival and a short visit with our animal- and home-caretaker, I finished my practice by moving next to my bed before I crawled in. Then I slept like a bear in her den ... total comfort. The combination of a mental and physical practice with hours in between may have been a first for me and it worked wonderfully.
It's interesting to realize that sometimes our students need to remind us of the words we've spoken at previous class sessions. Thanks to this student I managed a full practice during a long, full, and tiring day.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Summer Silence
It's a special gift to take time to travel to zones beyond home. Here in Roseau we see magpies, sandhill cranes, scores of dragonflies, and blue, blue wide open skies. Frances also caught sight of a skunk during yesterday morning's group bike ride.
We awakened this morning to the sound of Lizzie, the cockatiel, whistling for her breakfast. She ventured through a long unfamiliar melody and then inserted the familiar Pop Goes the Weasel. On and on she sang punctuating her refrain with a lusty chorus of Pop ... Weasel. Frances decided that her efforts deserved a reward and clipped several corn chips inside her cage which she promptly ate.
My morning phone check-in with our animal and house sitter revealed that she's contending with a mama bear and cub(s) that ventured into our yard at home. Our dog, Namaste, is well versed in catching the scent of these woodland creatures and letting her know through his wild barking that they're nearby. I wish I were home to see these visitors for myself but I'm also enjoying the critters we're finding here among the wheat fields.
Because of bright sun and heat I practiced TCC inside and positioned myself in front of the living room door. From there I could see the hot pink blossoms of hollyhocks that reached to roof height and an occasional handful of magpies that dipped and soared over the yard.
It's quiet here, too, just as it is under our forest canopy. We're in the middle of acres and acres of farmland with few nearby neighbors. Passing car traffic is infrequent and we avoid turning on the TV or tuning in the radio and simply appreciate the silence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this silence during my TCC practice and I'm grateful to sister-in-law, Becky, for the generous sharing of her computer to record my TCC blog. Tomorrow we head home to the woods. Today we'll enjoy more visits with relatives....
We awakened this morning to the sound of Lizzie, the cockatiel, whistling for her breakfast. She ventured through a long unfamiliar melody and then inserted the familiar Pop Goes the Weasel. On and on she sang punctuating her refrain with a lusty chorus of Pop ... Weasel. Frances decided that her efforts deserved a reward and clipped several corn chips inside her cage which she promptly ate.
My morning phone check-in with our animal and house sitter revealed that she's contending with a mama bear and cub(s) that ventured into our yard at home. Our dog, Namaste, is well versed in catching the scent of these woodland creatures and letting her know through his wild barking that they're nearby. I wish I were home to see these visitors for myself but I'm also enjoying the critters we're finding here among the wheat fields.
Because of bright sun and heat I practiced TCC inside and positioned myself in front of the living room door. From there I could see the hot pink blossoms of hollyhocks that reached to roof height and an occasional handful of magpies that dipped and soared over the yard.
It's quiet here, too, just as it is under our forest canopy. We're in the middle of acres and acres of farmland with few nearby neighbors. Passing car traffic is infrequent and we avoid turning on the TV or tuning in the radio and simply appreciate the silence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this silence during my TCC practice and I'm grateful to sister-in-law, Becky, for the generous sharing of her computer to record my TCC blog. Tomorrow we head home to the woods. Today we'll enjoy more visits with relatives....
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