06/27/08

Sunday Story
Listen to the Rocks Move
I live in an animate universe. When I say that I mean the natural world has ways that are always speaking. In the universe I live in, the rocks move, trees weep, and plants sing. The problem is we are not listening. When a butterfly expresses gratitude to the flower can you hear it? When the mountain heaves a sigh are you listening?
This natural order goes by many names. For today we will not be naming it. Imagine the secrets the rocks could tell you if you could hear them, if you had the patience to get really, really still and listen carefully.
Guess what? The universe is constantly talking to each of us. At least I hear it talking to me. As you all know, I do a lot of physical training. Training for marathons, grappler’s quest, ultra marathons, Ironman races and my TaeKwon-Do 5th degree test are all things I have been doing recently. As matter of fact, one of my sayings is: “Shut up and train.” Well on May 17th I ran 50 miles and completely trashed my knee. You may have seen me limping around. No problem, I will start riding my bike! Last Sunday my road bike was stolen off the back of my car! Gee, do you think there is a message there? First my knee, then my bike, and the pool is closed all summer. Maybe my training needs to slow down? Maybe I need to spend a little more time listening to the rocks move (hard to do when you are running and riding). So, I am back doing Tai Chi K’ung (join me if you wish). And I am spending a lot of my training time just sitting and listening. Now I can ignore these messages if I choose to. But I do so at my own peril. Maybe I go and get a new bike and get hit by a car. Try running and break a leg. Who knows? But what I know is the universe is speaking to me and loud enough for me to hear. I am sure if I would have been listening better, I would have heard it before this.
Lately I have been struggling with forgiveness and anger. I have been working to forgive others for real and imagined wrongs done to me. This is a real challenge point for me. It may be the Italian in me or it may be just my growth edge. And yesterday you know what arrives in my inbox right? You guessed it--- a number of quotes about forgiveness and anger. How does that happen?
Here is one of them:
A decision to hold on to a grievance is a decision to suffer. Whether the other person deserves to be forgiven or not, throw away the grudge for your own sake.
– Michael Josephson

So what is my point? What are you listening to? Have you turned off the background noise long enough to hear the rocks move? Because the TV, the computer and all the rest of our modern conveniences (cell phone, texting, my space, etc) are all conspiring to shut off your hearing. If you can get back in touch with the natural order, with the language of the harmony of the world you will hear it speak. And you will be able to move effortlessly, magically through life. The ability to listen and interpret the rhythm of the world may be your greatest gift. What are you listening to?
Namaste
John