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August 23, 2004
First day of class
I didn't think I had enough time to journal last night. As it was, I was late to yoga class. My bad -- setting my alarm for only 1/2 hour before -- what was I thinking?
Sunday I did NOT want to wake up. I debated skipping breakfast, decided finally that that wasn't a good idea, and went without showering.
Community building was awesome, as usual. Academic registration was fine. Got my schedule. Spent a lot of time (relatively speaking) on the library computer looking some things up.
The academic orientation seemed a bit disjointed. We did have a section where we broke up into 4 groups, planned a skit to demonstrate an agreement here at Heartwood -- ours was the drug and alcohol policy -- and then acted them out for the group.
After dinner was the "ice cream social", which seems so retro. The organic ice creams were good; I didn't try the soy ones. After we ate, the old students and new were formally introduced, as well as more staff & faculty. Then Surya did a small circle with just lower dorm, mostly new, students. It ended so well -- we asked her about her background, and she told us part of her fantastic story. She spent the first three years of her life at Esalen (!) -- yes, from birth until 3. Amazing.
I didn't want to leave when it was over and had to make a conscious choice: there needs to be balance. I have alone things to do. I need to get ready for bed and call my boyfriend and journal.
That went somewhat according to plan. After I got off the phone with Des, I realized I had probably sounded like one of those New Age assholes on the phone. In my excitement over this place and process, I forgot to meet him where he was at. It really brought home how... not difficult, exactly... what a shift it will take to hold some measure of this space in other places. Lots of flexibility, and intending, necessary.
Perhaps traditional ego magick will be more important than I thought.
So on the way back to my room, I ran into Steve, who was on his way to the sauna. I joined him and we talked, about the above and other things. Between that and the sweating I returned to my room relaxed enough to sleep easily and deeply.
I could have listened to my body this morning -- which woke up at 5 -- instead of my head, which put me back to sleep until 6:30, and that would have seen me to yoga EARLY. Next time.
At least I'm at Shiatsu early enough to be writing this. It's giving me the chance to witness who I think is the TA setting up for class. After arranging the seats in a circle, she is using tibetan chimes in the center. It's neat to see staff intending and purifying space. Living a truth, holding space, making space sacred. Making class sacred. Making learning sacred.
And our instructer just came in and hugged her. A long, deep hug. "Already getting warm," I hear from outside.
People start to trickle in, and I close my notebook for later.
Posted by Josh A. at August 23, 2004 08:35 AM