ZenView: Harmony
By Mary Layton
Harmony? What is it?
Any time I watch a flock of geese flying in formation it looks like they have that harmony down.
It is an exhilarating experience for me. What magic! To experience a little harmony in your day can do wonders to help unwind and recuperate. In an orchestra, everyone has to be in harmony in order to produce a pleasant sound. It is only when all the players are in harmony that the audience will be able to experience the pleasure of listening. We feel in harmony making music with others and also alone, singing, dancing or watching a beautiful sunset. Taking a walk in nature gives us a feeling of harmony. The feeling of having a common focus can give us that feeling too, participating in a common goal.. seeing eye to eye. We need these feel-good moments. Humans don’t do so well when they argue and disagree for long periods of time. Even if we can only hold a thought of harmony for a short moment it is good medicine for the soul. Seeking harmony can affect our state of health, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally in profound ways.
Personally, I love the experience of practicing Tai Chi with a group, everyone stepping at the same time, doing the same movements. You are in a large room with people from all different walks of life, different ages, backgrounds and occupations with the intention to move simultaneously! At first, this is quite difficult because we are not used to following others, we are so used to doing our own thing in our own tempo and style. We don’t often know about the sensitivity and alertness that is required to match another person’s movements. In Tai Chi, there is a sequence of movements that involves learning the transitions from one posture to the next. All the movements are executed slowly and deliberately and bring more awareness, energy and concentration. There is a gradual experience of relaxing within oneself and flowing together with others. The feeling of separateness so common in our world is gone. I believe it has something to do with giving up the ego, and something to do with really wanting to listen to each other with all one’s senses.
For more info, you can go to taichi4modesto.com or call (209)572-4518
