On teachers and being taught

I am very fortunate to have had several very good teachers. Some were four legged, some two legged and even a few with just one leg, not that it really matters. Some taught me just one class in two minutes and with some I stayed for years. Some acknowledge me as there student, some don’t even know I exist, not that it really matters. Some were brilliant storytellers; some didn’t bother to talk to me at all. Some never claimed to be teachers, some were all too eager to say they were, some pushed me is subtle ways, some just threw me in at the deep end, not that it really matters. What really matters is, was I a good student.

I am very fortunate to have had several very good teachers.

Taiko Oroshi

I sounded the oroshi today. I never done that before, not in front of an audience. I only sounded it once, without anyone looking. There was not a moment of nerves, just preparation. When the taiko was placed and the hanbo found, I calmly waited for the moment I could begin. I stepped onto the tatami, faced the kamiza and bowed. Calmly I walked over to the taiko and bowed, picked up the hanbo and bowed. I took my kamea and a moment of silence and raised the hanbo high in the air, than I let all I knew and all I still need to learn take over. The hanbo came down and hit the skin of the taiko, the overwhelming sound raised the hanbo again high up in the air and the rhythm was hers. First the slow beats that became faster and faster, than slowed down again, the hanbo finding the heart of the drum and mine, then there was silence. I bowed again to taiko and stick, now with a new found respect and immense gratitude. I sat down in seiza and felt the energy rush through me.

I sounded the oroshi today.

Thoughts on fear (3)

Fear, like flu is easily transmitted

Don’t

Unlike flu, fear can be controlled by you.

Do

Thoughts on fear (2)

Fear is an alarm. Don’t let it grow into a air-raid, treat it like the alarm that you keep next to your bed. When it sounds, hit the off switch, have a good stretch and a yawn, think of what you’re supposed to do today, get up, get dressed and move.

And what ever you do, don’t blame the snooze button.

Thoughts on fear (1)

I once saw a home video of a little girl getting all dressed up by her mum for Halloween. She really looked the part with her pointed hat, black wig and broom and her face all covered in scary make-up. Happy and excited she walked over to the mirror to look at her self and got the fright of her live; There was a witch standing there. That made me think.... maybe fear is just you in scary make-up.

Thoughts on trust

I came across a man and his dog today and had an interesting chat. Flow and his dog Wolf seemed to recognize each other immediately and played to there hearts content. We, although we have never seen each other before, were happy to meet, it’s not every day you come across someone with the exact same rare breed dog and share stories. After praising the beauty of each others dog and the breed, we started comparing. So, the man asked, does Flow hunt? Does she ever, she hunts everything from mice to deer. We both agreed that they go into a zone and are unstoppable. He shook his head and I nodded, “It’s the wolf in them”. So how’s Wolf with other dogs, I asked. Well, the man responded, as long as the other dog is an Alpha, he’s fine, but otherwise.....he can be downright dangerous. Yes, Flow is the same, I need to stay the leader of the pack at all times. He shook his head as I nodded, “ Yep, it’s the wolf in them”. Meanwhile Flow and Wolf were nowhere to be seen. It’s always the same isn’t it, the man said, he never stays with you, not like something like that, he pointed at NaNa who was sitting at my feet. No, I said stroking NaNa’s head, Flow makes these huge loops around me, but she always seems to know where I am. He shook his head and I nodded, “Well, it’s the wolf in them” “They are not to be trusted” the man added. I didn’t say a thing, see, I trust Flow completely. NaNa started to whine as she always does when she gets bored, silently I thanked her for it and gave a sharp short whistle. Within seconds Flow came running up to me, Wolf in hot pursuit. We said our good-byes and went our separate ways, and without a fuss our dogs followed there own pack.

On my way back to the car I wondered why the man didn’t trust his dog. Sure they are a handful, but I trust Flow completely. I know she knows where I am at all times, when she is out off my sight. I trust her to hunt and chase anything that will run away, and I know that, when she sees her chance, she will kill a chicken or even a fawn, but I also trust her to gently pick a kitten out of Mo’s litter and carry it around carefully. I also know that she trusts me completely when I tell her no, or when the world gets to scary for her. She is not at all like NaNa who I trust completely with my eyes and ears closed. With Flow I need all my senses wide open at all times, she is a great teacher. I expect her to be the Tsjech wolfdog that she is, like expect NaNa to be the Canadian Alsatian that she is. So I figured, trust must be determined by your expectations.

By the way, I took the bleu route again, and saw the dreaded hill for what she really is ... just a bump in the road.

New Years resolutions

Knowing that change is the only constants, better learn to embrace her.
After letting that one sink in for a moment, became incredibly happy. The immense amount of freedom that will give, sure sure with immense freedom comes immense responsibility, but I can handle that. I’ve got the ability to respond.

Knowing I will die and that is the only thing I can be sure of, better use death as an advisor.
I know my death from even before I was born, better check in with her more often, she knows me most intimately and doesn’t mind sharing her wisdom freely.

And most importantly don’t dilly-dally.