Take yourself lightly

We think we know who 'we' are, who 'others' are. We introduce ourselves by name, and share stories of where we are from, and how our life unfolded.  ... Yet, moment by moment, if we attend to what is actually happening, we can notice how arise freshly and we find ourselves not-knowing the next moment. And the same for the world and all others around us. Always new, unknown. This could be scary or it can allow us to be present with the great opportunities of openness.

Ideas can never catch 'us' - maybe we are more like clouds, changing shape with wind and weather. This is something to reflect on, both in terms of how we interact with the world, but also in our practice of meditation. We cannot know what will arise in our mind in 5 seconds.... How can our spiritual practice be an embrace of that, rather than be driven by a fearful attempt to control it?

Then play or improvisation might be the most rational ways to engage in this constant fresh becoming. Play opens up a space where we can let go of any heavy identifications, and meet each other in an open space: we can take ourselves more lightly.

Stephen Nachmanovitch[i], violinist, improviser, Buddhist and author of ‘Free Play’ describes the moment where improvisation happens: “It is awareness of context and willingness to listen to each other. There is no time for hope of success or fear of failure. You just do what comes: communicate and respond. We co-create something that arises out of listening and mutual attention.”[ii]

How would it be to live more like this? To practice meditation in this spirit?

This evening will offer the opportunity to move, dance, improvise, talk and meditate together. We will try to encourage lightness in all of that - and we might get an experience of depth and profound reflections.... let's see!

'I dance for no reason, for reason you can’t dance' - Saul Williams

There will be the opportunity to give some dana (donation) in the session. With that, you give me the possibility to share offers like this, and cover costs for the website and zoom etc. You also support me in my dharma life, for which I am grateful. You are free to give what you can.

There is no need to book, you can just join here (Meeting ID 845 0982 5137, Passcode 545607)

I look forward to meeting for an evening of play!

Image: little men by zoosnow - used with thanks

[i] Here a short introductory video by Stephen Nachmanovitch on his website

[ii] What can happen in a minute? (Stephen Nachmanovitch)