Hotei by Jan Rentenaar/Ewer by Pam Murakami
Sometimes I go several weeks without posting, as happened in April. Although in those weeks I had numerous ideas, each time a great idea would be hatched I would not be in a position to write. Then, alas, the excitement about the new idea would slip away. Still, all this time self-awareness and breath continued to keep me moving forward and learning. Sometimes these forced pauses are just what we need to spur us on to greater things, better ideas, and real progress. Or, the fact may be that we have just been moving through life at too frantic a pace. The forced pause is the universe telling us to slow down and listen.
I am reminded of a quote from a new student. Most of you are well aware that practicing the work of FM Alexander involves keeping oneself from repeating old habits; we say that we are inhibiting our reactions to habits/patterns which do not work. At my student’s first lesson I gave him an assignment for the next week. Being a very active, athletic person, I knew he would find this challenging. I asked him to do nothing, change nothing, to only be observant of what he was actually doing. The result was this very profound observation which he sent to me, “Inhibiting change has led to inhibiting getting ahead of myself. Hmmm…” Ultimately, isn’t this what we all wish to achieve? That is, we seek a practice of not getting ahead of ourselves, of not worrying into the future, of being in the present moment? I know that is something I will continue to think about. I will inhibit getting ahead of myself. STOP! BREATHE! ONWARD! One moment at a time.