As the super sleuths amongst you may notice, this is my first blog since Chelsea Flower Show. I have occasionally wondered why and not really concluded anything. I wondered if subconsciously it felt like rather a good blog to ‘stick on’ or whether I simply haven’t been inspired enough by other events to write about them but as neither of these resonate, I am still unsure and to be honest, also uninterested – in the reason, that is. It is what it is and I am blogging now, so it is just as it should be!
The summer has been peppered with the most incredible and beautiful experiences, revelations and learnings. I watched some lessons approach, greeted them favourably and with great hospitality; others sort of ‘broke into my life’, trashed my familiar surroundings, creating a bit of damage and a requiring a little clearing up but nonetheless have proven to be wonderful.
I spent some time in late spring in Damanhur, Northern Italy learning about Singing Plants or their Plant Orchestra and experiencing other enlightening events. Just weeks after I returned, their Founder Falco, died. It made the trip all the more pertinent somehow and I am still a little surprised that I haven’t written the experience up in full but my notes are to hand and I’m sure I will when the time is right. Further exploration led me to revisit the work of the fascinating Cleve Backster and his work with Plant energy and how plants are able to ‘feel’ human intention. I planned to travel to the States to meet Cleve but sadly he died beforehand.
It is fair to say, I found the two deaths of inspiring people a little unnerving. As a result, my own research continued closer to home which is obviously what the Universe intended.
Later in the summer, I was invited to attend the Conference of Consciousness and Human Evolution in London and listen to speakers including Dr Eric Pearl, Lynne McTaggart and Gregg Braden. It too was inspirational and transported me further along my path. (And they are all still alive). It was becoming obvious I was in pursuit of all things energetic – it’s resonance, it’s power and it’s magic.
So it was no surprise that I was introduced to Qi Gong along this path and in particular, the form known as Standing Like a Tree or Zhan Zhuang (pronounced Jam Jong).
And it is that experience in particular, Standing Like a Tree, which has inspired me to bring you up to date with my endeavours and share my musings.
I have just returned from a weekend at a Buddhist Retreat Centre in Stafford, experiencing the ample teachings of Tony Dove. It is an experience worth sharing.
Retreat is an interesting word and I’m not ke
en on it to be honest; for me, it evokes feelings of denial, running away and ducking out. I also actually worked at a Retreat Centre for some time and just recall questioning the congruency of it all. Anyway, I am already humbly reconsidering this judgement after my own weekend ‘retreat’ has actually resulted in a significant expansion or even propulsion!
Whilst I am going to share personal experience I appreciate you will probably be keen to know a little more Zhan Zhuang too and you can do that here. http://www.standinglikeatree.co.uk/
As I understand it, especially after this weekend, it is largely about opening up the various channels for energy to flow. By tensing up and closing off, often as a result of stress or stressful situations, we block off the flow of essential energy. The irony is your body can still function – let’s face it, your car wouldn’t if the petrol supply was restricted. But you are not functioning as well as you could – that’s the point!
During the weekend we were shown and we duly attempted various postures and walking sequences which, in his friendly no-nonsense style, Tony explained, ‘you don’t need to remember them, just do it.’ He explained that we were opening our energy channels and removing blockages and restrictions and therefore the flow of energy would increase, resulting in greater wellbeing as well as raised energy levels. Oh and incidentally, there were three gardeners amongst the 7 participants- interesting!
The very best type of teacher, Tony cannot help but impart knowledge and wisdom, he literally haemorrhages it, and in fairness the group soaked up every drop. It was a wonderful exchange. He shared many of the Chinese ways as he had been taught by Master Lam.
There were no distractions – no phones, no computers, no TV, radio, no alcohol – just inspiring company, interesting conversation, light food, and wisdom by the wheel-barrowful. Energy levels were raised and lowered as necessary, the actual power of energy was demonstrated in several improbable ways, there was much tingling, a little grunting and a lot of laughter. As I have said, I am not a great lover of groups, workshops and retreats but it felt like a big family, sharing energy and encouragement working together in a circle and later, sharing tales and wisdom around the table.
It was great and a very enjoyable part of my life’s journey. But it was the during the journey home that perhaps the biggest shift or ‘light-bulb moment’ occurred, or at least was recognised. It is a 4 hour drive from Stafford to South Wales and Rob, a good friend and fellow ‘seeker’ provided the transport and a sound board!
I had experienced a specific challenge in the week prior to the weekend away with my vehicle being off the road for a major repair. It obviously wasn’t the end of the World but nonetheless it had made life awkward as I am self employed, live on top of a mountain and have animals to look after. A vehicle is important to me and my lifestyle. I had made arrangements to have it fixed during the weekend I was away so that on my return I would be able to pick up the well worn reins of my life again and ride on along familiar pathways of work and home life. Normal service would be resumed!
As we left Stafford, I made a call to check it had been done. It hadn’t been. I was heading home to a second week without wheels, a back log of work and unresolved business and no plan B.
My initial reaction was one of old thinking; anger at being let down, immediately questioning the Universe – after all I had ‘visualised’ my preferable outcome and the extremely unhelpful lament of, “typical, I have one weekend away and now have to go home to sort all the mundane rubbish out.” This time I had another weapon in my emotional arsenal; I could doubt the effects of positive energy. I could whine, “it’s OK when you’re with like minded people in the middle of nowhere with no distractions but how on Earth can one be expected to integrate this stuff into one’s everyday life. Pah!”
I managed to indulge myself in this quagmire of old thinking for about half an hour; and Rob rather conveniently affirmed my theory and sympathised with my new victim role, with regular, “yeah, it’s difficult isn’t it.” Bless him.
Then I had my light bulb moment. Somewhere near Wednesbury (no, that’s not a typing error, it’s a location off the M6).
My knee jerk reaction of ‘tightening up’ or getting uptight was closing down my energy channels and not just those within me but those flowing to me. Because something had not gone the way I had planned, or even visualised, I had started to shut down and reject the Universal energy. What if the unexpected sequence of events had an exceptionally favourable outcome, one I hadn’t considered as ego had been too busy distracting me. What if I embraced this second week of what I perceived as an inconvenience? What if I saw it as a God Send? What could God be sending? Maybe the time required to write my 2014 Allbutt’s Almanac? Now it was getting interesting.
I had also spent an awful lot of time visualising completing next year’s Almanac without the usual panic and before the ridiculously late and restrictive month of November, as in previous years! What if that visualisation and intention was overriding the now seemingly insignificant and more recent intention of getting my truck back on the road by a certain date?
I delved into this theory a bit deeper. Practically, I could call my Clients and explain that I wouldn’t be able to honour this week’s commitments due to the lack of a vehicle but I would be back with them the week after. I could even tell them that I have CHOSEN to take the week off to write my Almanac, they are all fans of it. They would all be understanding and even supportive.
Hmmm, this was feeling much better, the energy was circulating again. I could feel it coursing through my veins. Surely that was the whole point of the weekend, allowing the energy to nourish, feed, and ‘energise’; I had assumed it was all about the energy within us – the stuff that made getting up easier, work easier, meant that you got more done. Despite all my research and exploration into the less obvious aspects of the energy field, I had completely missed the subtlety of Zhan Zhuang – of course it was about allowing the Universal energy to flow through you not just within you.
One of Tony’s comments had pierced me as we sat at supper one night; he mentioned the Chinese way is one of less effort – he gave a Martial Art example – in the West we think the punch or the blow is what contains the energy but in the East it is the counter movement that has the power; the arm which is drawn back actually provides the energy and determines the force behind the arm that is propelled forward.
Less effort, more effect.
It stung.
All my life I have been brought up believing that you haven’t achieved anything unless you are exhausted. You have to be tired to be good. If you’re not tired, you haven’t worked hard enough. It has not surprisingly, been exhausting. Now at 46, I was hearing that less effort equals more effect. I could have wept. I didn’t. I silently gave gratitude and pledged to remember it. Just a few hours later I did. I will endeavour to remember it. I will also pursue my path of discovery with regard to energetic phenomenon and it’s various guises – and will keep you posted – a little more often perhaps!
I am conscious that I want to finish this (so apologies for the lack of photos) and post it before midday as I have a lovely guy coming to install a new computer for me. My old one chooses not to accept responsibility for itself anymore; it cannot be relied upon, which is it’s choice, so it is amicably being replaced.
So just to recap, the Universe has gifted me a new level of awareness, increased clarity, greater understanding and respect of Universal energy, a week off work and a new computer. And I have an Almanac to write. Best get on with it then. Thank you Universe.
Now that short but significant phrase is resonating very much!
Some is plenty, enough is too much 😀