Ways to Begin

Alright, so I'm really terrible at doing the blogging daily, or as I do the practices. Promise that will get better starting right now. Anyways-- This week I did the promots supplied in "Ways to Begin." It actually coincided nicely with my new exercise routine. It's hard not to pay attention to your body when you're running or doing something that is very active and strenuous.

As I've been exercising this week, particularly running, I have kept this class in mind. Normally when I run, I tend to make a "to do" list in my head for the day, week, etc. However, this week when I was running, I deflected those thoughts and tried to keep "in the now." It definitely wasn't easy. I am a planner by nature, and the last thing I want to do while I'm running is really pay attention to the stitch in my side. At the same time, however, every time I started planning in my head I tried to notice physical things around me, and things that related to my senses. For example, I could smell the pond at Barry Park, could smell the difference between the freshly cut grass on the path, and the taller, long grass. I also tried to feel out different muscle groups, or pay attention to the different sound of running on the grass versus running on the dirt path.

I also noticed how captivated I am by smell and temperature in the morning when I wake up. It has something to do with that dream-like state we all sort of wake up in. It's as if my brain isn't fully working yet (or my left brain isn't?) and I'm in a very abstract place, and the scent of fresh air coming through the window or the heat or cold of the room can instantaneously send me back into vivid early-morning dreams, depending on what memories they remind me of.

I can also say after this morning's class that working with metals is a very sensory experience as well. You have to be attuned to what is going on at that exact moment of the present while you are working on a piece because A) you don't want to mess up your project and B) you don't want to hurt yourself (especially if you're using a blow torch). Also in metalsmithing there are a lot of very strong smells and textures with the materials you are working with. Copper, brass, chemicals, fire, the smell of burning wood, the feeling of your muscles as you saw shapes out of the metal, etc.

As for my daily practice of the future I've been mulling over a few things. Tarot reading, or reading French. Both would require me writing some documentation. I am going to keep trying out both and see which one is more plausible.