Rhythm absorbs attention. It’s an old trick – maybe the oldest. Rhythm of the drum, of moving bodies and moving breath. Rhythm of voices raised in unison.
I found my rhythm when I went for a bike ride today. I have to be deliberate about it, otherwise I end up just pumping my legs while ruminating on problems. Plenty of time to ruminate on problems the other twenty-three hours of my day.
Instead, I listen.
Sound of pedalling: Rrrupp, rrrupp. Rrrupp, rrrupp.
‘Hm, crank arm’s a bit loose, have to get that fixed … Later - find your rhythm bud.’
Rrrupp, rrrupp.
Coast.
Wind on face.
I notice my breath.
Inhale.
Rrrupp, rrrupp.
Exhale.
Rrrupp, rrrupp.
Coast.
Wind on face.
The rhythm of my breath begins to synchronize with the movement of my legs. As that happens, attention flows naturally into the larger feeling of energy in the body, mixing with the energy of the wind. Experience converges, simplifies. I try not to ruin it by thinking about it.
A lyric from a song appears – rhythms invite rhythms. “In my dreams I’m dying all the time.”
‘Is that Moby? Doesn’t matter, keep going.’
Inhale.
Rrrupp, rrrupp.
Exhale
Rrrupp, rrrupp.
Coast.
Wind on face.
“In my dreams I’m dying all the time.”
Scenery tracking. Body moving. Breath moving. Very slowly, self drains from the world.
We can do it seated too. The body is never still, not really.
First the breath:
Inhale.
Exhale.
Maybe a visual: a wave rolling up the beach, dissolving. A wave rolling out to sea, dispersing.
Inhale
(wave in, dissolving).
Exhale
(wave out, dispersing).
Body rocking slightly with the breath. How into it can you get? Songs allowed. Everything is allowed.
Inhale
(wave in, dissolving).
Exhale
(wave out, dispersing).
“In my dreams I’m dying all the time.”
Find your rhythm. Build your practice.
A survival tip for tough times.
Jeff
THIS WEEK ON THE MIND BOD ADVENTURE POD
If what you love were at the center of your life – what would change? That’s the subject of our recent chat with adrienne maree brown. She’s a virtuoso guide, not only for her words and voice, but for the care and intention that lie under these things.
adrienne empowers us to find the best in ourselves. In this free range talk, we explore activism and love, boundaries and slowness, justice and community, and much more.
Rhythm