Balancing Steadiness and Flow

Balancing Steadiness and Flow 
Life is full of transitions, from shifts in the seasons, to life stages and circumstances. 

As Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “the only constant in life is change”. 

As the seasons change from summer towards autumn, life shifts with it. Many of you have mentioned that you feel this just now. As with any transition we can feel wobbly as the ground shifts beneath us. 

Last week in classes we were exploring how we can use our practice to connect with both steadiness and flow (and I’ve uploaded a practice on this theme to my On Demand platform for those who subscribe), 

I often think that trees hold such wisdom in relation to this. They need to have enough steadiness to root deeply and stand tall, but they also need to enough flexibility to move with the winds without breaking. 

Sometimes life can feel too rigid and we need to see where we can seek change and fluidity. 

Sometimes life can feel like we are buffeted around by strong winds and we need to reach into sources of steadiness (both from within and outside of ourselves). 

The beauty of our practice is that it shows us that both can be accessed simultaneously. We can breathe and flow but do so steadily. We can find stillness without feeling stuck and rigid.

A lovely teacher, Katie Wheater (based in Oxford for any of you lucky enough to be nearby) send me this poem last week and I wanted to share it.  

Flow by Alix Klingenberg

I go in and out, don’t you? 
Into flow and gratitude, 
and out of it again 
Into grief and hopelessness, 
and out of it again. 
Into routine; cooking, walks, connection 
And then into bed, the bath, 
my head, my tears.

These days call for the ability to sway 
Sway into reality, sway into empathy, 
and back again. 
Dip toes into fear, anxiety, awareness 
And rest in creativity, distraction, comfort.

We go in and out, like tides 
Creating our own slow rhythms 
Finding the pulse of survival.
 
If you are feeling a little wobbly this week trust that things always shift and flow, in and out of uncomfortable, and comfortable, unpleasant and pleasant, pain and joy.