clevermanka (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clevermanka) wrote2006-05-25 10:20 am
clevermanka) wrote2006-05-25 10:20 am
Entry tags:
Intention of grace
Often I receive compliments on my grace when I dance. A few people say they enjoy watching me cook or sew because my movements are precise, yet fluid. I acknowledge that when I focus on what I'm doing, my body is different. When my mind is in my body I am graceful. However, too often my mind races ahead of my body. Instead of walking through the door, I focus on what I'll be doing once I'm out of the room. And doing so, I run into the doorjamb.
I don't adhere to any particular religion (although I don't practice it, I strongly identify with paganism due to a reverence for nature and respect for life), but Buddhist philosophy often speaks to me. In particular, the concept of mindfulness. Being aware of what I am doing at all times; acting with intent, purpose, and reverence for myself and others.
Although I refer to myself in disparaging terms ("the water buffalo" and others even worse), in general I like my body. It's naturally flexible, has an attractive skin that gives me relatively little trouble, and has, frankly, suffered from abuse (both mental and physical) as well as neglect and laziness. It's a strong body, and beautiful. My body and I deserve to be graceful at all times. I am making an effort to be mindful, and not just when I'm dancing, cooking, or sewing.
This isn't to say I won't sometimes be goofy and silly. I'll still bark my shins on coffee tables and misjudge my shoulders in relation to a doorway. There's no avoiding the fact that I will often move without thinking. However, I will think of my body as naturally graceful. I will stop referring to myself as the water buffalo. I will treat my body with affection, patience, and respect. Through intent, I will become naturally graceful.
Mindfulness. Intent. Grace.
I don't adhere to any particular religion (although I don't practice it, I strongly identify with paganism due to a reverence for nature and respect for life), but Buddhist philosophy often speaks to me. In particular, the concept of mindfulness. Being aware of what I am doing at all times; acting with intent, purpose, and reverence for myself and others.
Although I refer to myself in disparaging terms ("the water buffalo" and others even worse), in general I like my body. It's naturally flexible, has an attractive skin that gives me relatively little trouble, and has, frankly, suffered from abuse (both mental and physical) as well as neglect and laziness. It's a strong body, and beautiful. My body and I deserve to be graceful at all times. I am making an effort to be mindful, and not just when I'm dancing, cooking, or sewing.
This isn't to say I won't sometimes be goofy and silly. I'll still bark my shins on coffee tables and misjudge my shoulders in relation to a doorway. There's no avoiding the fact that I will often move without thinking. However, I will think of my body as naturally graceful. I will stop referring to myself as the water buffalo. I will treat my body with affection, patience, and respect. Through intent, I will become naturally graceful.
Mindfulness. Intent. Grace.