Learning to Fly

We all have times when we’re uncertain about which direction our lives should take; potential avenues seem perplexing and confusing. Imagine getting into the car and driving without knowing where we are going. All around there are questions about relationships, careers, what to eat, whom to vote for, and so on.

When we’re confused, we can also be motivated to resolve it. This motivation can be used for productive or unproductive directions. In the Tao Te Ching, there’s a story about a monk having a recurring dream about being attacked by a spider. The advice given by the monk’s teacher is to paint a symbol on the spider’s abdomen. When the monk does as instructed, the dream spider instantly disappears, and the monk sleeps soundly. Upon waking, the monk finds himself holding a brush and with paint all over his belly. Imagine all the nights the monk spent battling the spider and the hours spent fearing sleep. Of course, we do not always have (or want) the solution to our problem(s).

Indecision seems to have at least four characteristics: a sense of discomfort around the current situation; a natural desire to escape the discomfort; a counterbalance to escaping discomfort (like attachment to status quo); and weighing the pros and cons of a situation. When we finally make a decision, all this chatter seems to go away … until the next situation arises. For some, this process of decision/indecision becomes cyclical.

What happens when we practice T’ai Chi Chih? At the very least we give ourselves a period of clarity (or we attempt clarity). The simple act of practicing TCC can yield eureka moments, clear solutions. TCC can feel like waves washing upon a sandy beach where we’ve written everything we find so important. A good understanding of where you are right now… and now… and now can build a foundation for which direction you wish to take (or not take). I’ve found that this process of being present (as we are with TCC) is enough. We still eat, have relationships, and pursue careers when mindful. What we hopefully eliminate is the sense of impending doom that’s created by trying to solve a problem from an abstract perspective. Paying attention has many benefits. We forget that being is enough. Clear your mind, enjoy the moment, practice TCC, and see how you feel.