Zen and the Art of Whatever…

Vern Belknap - My Dad

Vern Belknap – My Dad

All of life is about the process! The Alexander Technique is but another tool to help us along the way, as is the Art of Breathing.  In my mind the process always comes back to stopping so we can allow these tools to serve us in the process of life.

Since watching 7-11 year olds compete at gymnastics Saturday, I have been occupied with trying to figure out how to encourage without adding the pressures of the idea of winning or losing. After all, “trying” to win is the ultimate end-gaining and the opposite of following the process. Eugen Herrigel in ZEN and the ART of ARCHERY, writes about the hours, even years, spent holding the bow, hours of waiting for the right moment to “let” the arrow go. When we “try” to win, we lose track of the process and move from being in the moment to being in a space that lets fear and mind games distract us. When we stay in the moment and work with the process all that matters is accomplishing each single step. This, of course, adds up to our doing the best job possible at that time. The breath during these times is, of course, all important. As fear enters, breath holding begins and more fear enters to paralyze our thought process and our physical ease and poise. The breath becomes more stuck and so do we in every way.

It is never too early to learn the skill of conscious control and the value of breath. Competitions are won in our brains, one step at a time, whether the competition is a sport, a musical event, a job, getting through an exam or life, in general. The practice of being still, and allowing breath to enliven us is the first step. The younger we start, the better equipped we are for the process of living life.

So, how do we practice? Again, the question is not about the amount of practice but is about the quality of practice and the engagement of the brain in each step of the process. The process is the same in sport, in music, in study and in life. This practice of taking time and allowing breath to renew us goes a long way towards equipping us to be successful in whatever we do. I’d like to suggest that we practice stopping before doing any task; in the moment that follows, consciously exhale, wait for the breath to arrive and then proceed consciously with whatever practice is to follow. Enjoy exploring the changes that envelope your being as you move forward in your day. Zen in the Art of Whatever!

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