The Obstacle is the Path

While walking along Sligo Creek on this beautiful spring day, I paused in wonder as the sun dances upon the ripples of the creek.  A favorite little spot of mine where the rocks stimulate the flow of the creek, causing her to sing and delight.  Watching the water flow about the rocks the Zen Proverb the obstacle is the path arose in my thinking.  Before me I had an illustrated example with sound bites to confirm this wisdom.

Gazing at the creek I wondered about the obstacles I face regularly.  Habits, emotions and lack of knowledge immediately sprung to mind followed by a dose of gratitude that I have daily discipline to address these as they arise.  Not seeing when my habits, emotions or lack of knowledge is the obstacle is a subtler more challenging one.  Yes their are other obstacles, physical, financial and loss. The disciplines also work with these so long as I aim to remain on the path.  Keep trudging.

Photo by Spinster Cardigan

Spaces I Find Myself

While writing in my journal this morning, I recalled an older Alexander Technique post the essence of which was Up is Up.  Such a simple thought, practice even, but like many simple ideas this requires a sustained disciplined approach. Just thinking Up is Up, I noticed I was huddled over the notebook on the table, not up at all.

Compressing my spine, pulling on my back, my shoulders pulled inward, and my head pulling on my neck.  There was no poise nor ease.  Muscles holding me in place, but why?  I can write while allowing myself to be forward & up, long & wide.  I am allowing this now as I type.  I wonder if "writing in my journal from this place of freedom" might also allow me to more fully examine & engage the thought processes & feelings I probe in my journal?

This pattern of use that I noticed also reminded me of a space I sometimes find myself within when playing guitar. Perhaps another instance of Alexander's observation of how we do one thing is how we do everything.  What I also find interesting this morning was that I was writing about something I've noticed in my creative process with the guitar.  I journal each morning and I generally play guitar six days a week.  While my intent is to be aware when I am practicing guitar, I need to extend this to how I am within the space of any practice, even the mundane of washing dishes or sweeping floors.

Certainly I pay more attention to my use in my "practice space."  But these everyday acts of living as I am taught in Zen are precious opportunities to wake up to what I am doing, or not.  Like Zen, the Alexander Technique is a path for me to investigate mindfulness of the body and allows me to touch the moments of my life. When I allow more freedom in my body, lo and behold I find it easier to follow my breath.  This allows me to observe my thinking which again can allow for more freedom of use. But first I must notice.  How am I using my body?  Am I breathing?  What am I thinking?  Any of these portals invite me into the present moment, the very moment of life. 

Photo by Joann Malone.

Zen Guitar

What is the sound of a string at rest?

Be Here Now

While getting ready for work this morning, I glanced at the clock and thought, I need to get out of here.  Then right behind that another thought arrived - Be Here Now.  Yes.  Smiling I paused and then continued my preparations.  A simple Zen thought that says it all. Perhaps if I was Here Now more, I would not be experiencing tendinitis and analyzing my use to let go of the "wrong thing."

But another wise thought is to begin where you are and where I am is injured so I must find the error in my use and let this go.  That will only happen if and when I am present with what I am doing.  Are you here?