Aug 24, 2010 0
twisting and turning
Zen in the Art of Archery describes a way of breathing where you exhale as completely as you can comfortably and then the breath takes itself in, then tighten the abdomen or press the breath in and then exhale completely. Repeat.
One good thing about this is, it is very clear and absolute. So when my mind is running around, and i see it, without going into further negotiations with the mind and self convincing, i can exhale out. How far? As completely as i can. Then the cycle takes over with the breath coming in naturally as i allow it. Keep it going for a few cycles and by then the confusions are in perspective. There is a distance from the unsolvable irritant, a reduced importance for the threat.
I find myself twisting and turning with anger and hatred and violent thoughts and vengeance and sadness and need for immediate results and depressive thoughts and so on. Then that leads to frenzy of activities which are assigned important status just because i think i need to be doing something – the habitual inner push says so.
At the same time i know the usefulness of being relaxed and calm in a sense of peace and positivity. Breath helps come back from the twisting and turning. instead of trying to do something for the sake of keeping busy. Nothing really to do? Breathe!
Here is Seth Godin's post on Sleeping Funny .
