So, I am smelling the flowers these days. Or, at least trying to. The outside world of work and to-do lists keeps trying to take over. Like everyone else, I get caught up in what I am supposed to be doing instead of experiencing the now. And the fight to smell the flowers is just that: a fight. Paradoxically, the "fight" doesn't originate in stress or anger. It is more a meditation, a state of mind.
You have all heard this before. This is not a new concept. Spiritual leaders from Jesus to John Lennon have been singing and preaching to be here and now for ages. Sadly, though, it is like we have to constantly remind ourselves anyway. The practice is more important than the ideal.
You are what you do.
As a belly dancer, my latest obsession is learning to play the finger cymbals fluently. And, I am loving every second of it. When I am playing cymbals it is like reaching into a new space of reality. A peaceful space. Dancing is the same way, don't get me wrong, but I am at a place in my training where I can go deeper. When the rhythm is pumping through my body and I am playing with the music...my stress goes away. The to-do lists vanish. The world blurs into the illusion that it all really is.
Being able to layer dance movement and play the finger cymbals at the same time is a challenge. (Thank you to Suhaila for making it an uber-challenge at that!) It is not all joy-joy. But, in the effort comes the meditation again.
In belly dance we have a goal to make the dance appear effortless. Believe it or not, it is a huge compliment when an audience member says, "That looks easy. I think I can do it, too." The larger goal in belly dance though is not make it "appear" effortless, but eventually for it to feel like an untapped force channeling through and out the body. Effort is involved, but it is at ease. A calm effort.
The art of Middle Eastern dance is an interesting medium for meditation because there is a powerful sensual element. Meditation meets Kama Sutra. So, not only am I tapping into a state of mind that is focused and unfocused at the same time, but I am opening up areas of the body that rarely get to be free. Vibrating the glutes is a special treat that only happens after years of training. And, let me tell you, the elated benefits of super-glute control for your expressions of sensuality are just simply too personal and joyful to explain in a blog.
(Side note: My best friend in Chicago keeps begging me to teach her how to vibrate 7 different ways while sitting on a man. My response: get your ass to class!)
Some people jog. Some people practice kung fu. I belly dance. I find the greatest source of meditation in the moments of complex, layered movement and rhythm. I have a funny (and great) feeling that this is only going to get better with time. I am so excited to practice on into my prime years.
Don't be envious. It is just a distraction from your desire to go there too. Just get your ass to class!
