senses. sangha.
{feel}
As soon as I step into the room, I sigh. Calm. Safe. Sangha. The scratchy, thick wool blanket. A tacky, sticky yoga mat. The warm embrace of others as we greet one another. Some pause as they hug. Sigh. Honor one another. Grateful to see one another. I sit on my blanket, fold my legs in front of me, and settle in for an afternoon of learning, sharing, listening. As we start our time with chanting, I feel the sound of all our voices vibrate inside me. As we begin to discuss, just discuss, inversions, my energy, the group's energy, increases. As the afternoon ends, again we embrace one another. Validation and support in the form of a hug. The knowledge that we will do this again the next day. Two days of community, learning, sharing.
{hear}
Happy voices of the group greeting one another. For many it has been a month since we have seen one another. To being the afternoon, we chant to Ganesh and honor our teachers and teachers' teachers. People begin to check-in. I hear their truth. They share with such honesty and integrity in their voices. Tears. Laughter. Tears again. Validation. Affirmation. The calm, wise voice of our teacher. Her infectious laughter. She shares her knowledge without attachment, inviting questions, conversation. We study inversions. Changing your perspective by literally turning yourself upside down. An excited voice says something like, "did anyone else just love headstands as a kid? I would watch tv standing on my head." Laughter. No one quite agreed but we could all relate to the child-like joy. Throughout the afternoon, moments of quiet counterpose the energy, laughter, voices.
{smell}
Fresh air drifts in through the open windows. It is warm enough (read: no rain, wind, or gray sky) to have the windows open. Yes. Yes. Yes. Someone brought foil-wrapped hearts. As I bring one to my lips, the intoxicating smell of my vice, chocolate. Can I let one be enough? No. Throughout the afternoon I eat three. Later, the spicy, warm, stomach-grumbling inducing smells wafting from the kitchen of a Thai restaurant.
{taste}
The salad, my new favorite meal, that I brought for lunch. I taste dried cranberries, blue cheese, apple, lettuce, walnuts. I am eating a salad and loving it, I think to myself with a little happiness and pride. Later, the hot, rich, bitter flavor of a vanilla latte. Even later, peanut sauce, curry, rice, noodles, vegetables shared with four friends. The spices cha-cha on my tongue in the midst of conversation and laughter. The welcome clear, cleansing taste of water when the curry is a bit more than my tastebuds can handle.
{see}
On days like this, I usually focus on faces. Smile, sadness, serious eyes, frown of confusion, nodding affirmation, a wink as a joke is shared, quizzically raised eyebrows, laughter and wrinkles around the eyes. And when we study asana, I then focus on bodies. On this day, bodies in shoulder stand, head stand, supported head stand. Although I am not yet brave enough to experience these poses, I enjoy the change in perspective these poses invite in others. A new look at the world. Upside down.
{and know}
You can find a community of people, a sangha, and know that you are not alone in your journey. Take a breath and open your heart to the possibility.
senses
Reader Comments (10)
wow.
i want that.
i want sangha.
i have never heard of it before,
but i want it.
unbelievable...
you have just made me crave
things i
have never heard of
before.
:)
such a nice post...i always enjoy the ones you do on the senses.
love the salad. congrats on making such a delicious one and seducing yourself with this healthy food! as summer approaches with its fresh produce you will find many ways to make new ones which you will love, too!
It makes sense that you are in community at this time. First, there is work with self, then other (one-to-one relationships) and finally, community. The 3 are always ongoing but you know you've traveled far if you're working in community.
i have never heard of a sangha before either. i am completely intrigued.
and that salad... my taste buds are watering for it. sounds absolutely delicious!!
I love these posts where you take the time to break an experience down by your senses ... and connect them to your spirit. thank you!
It sounds like these weekends are amazing on every level for you Liz.
That salad sounds amazing ~ the more stuff the better!
Beautiful experience! I could almost feel myself there with you. And having been up in Seattle this weekend, the weather, ah, and open windows -- I've been to Seattle maybe half a dozen times, maybe more, and each time I've been blessed with such wonderful weather and blue skies that if I didn't live in the Northwest I'd imagine the reports of rain to be a gross exaggeration to keep Californians away! Could you see the Olympic Mtns from where you live? It was so clear - every jag and crag! Wow!
I don't know if I can record the senses from the past, or even the present, but I really want to try this!
delightful!
I love these senses posts of yours. What a wonderful group to be a part of. It's been so very long since I had a community of like-minded souls (in 'real' life) that it sounds almost foreign to me...