Oasis Metaphor & The Hummingbird

I teach an in-depth, 15-week, for-credit T’ai Chi Chih course at our local community college on Friday mornings during the spring and fall semesters. We have time to do fun things like play with metaphors, which time would not typically permit in a shorter class. Another benefit is practicing TCC outdoors when weather permits. Since it doesn’t often rain, we have at least half a dozen classes outside.

On campus, there is a lovely sculpture garden with a vertical waterfall surrounded by a circular walkway. We gathered around it for TCC one Friday in April. As we began moving, honeybees flew to drink from the base of the waterfall. They had found a nice little oasis away from the blistering sun and dry conditions. I thought of how our TCC practice is like an oasis from stress and the often-hectic pace of life.

While moving to the accompaniment of gentle splashing of water drops, a hummingbird (glistening a gorgeous metallic green with a little black bill) next arrived. Only a foot or two away, undisturbed by the gentle rhythm of TCC, it alighted on the fountain, much like woodpecker would on a tree. We were delighted to watch it drink and bathe.

Watching this scene unfold as we moved together made it a very memorable practice.