I was flicking through Paulo Coelho’s book Like the Flowing River, before throwing it out. I own that I find Coelho’s stuff a little…simplistic and rather whimsical – like New Age meets Francis Gay. However a piece On Elegance caught my eye, and there was some reasonable stuff in it – if I skipped over his phrases about ‘correct posture’ – whatever that is. It relates to the Quakers phrase of ‘walking cheerfully’ which I love. So here’s an experiment I play with my students to help them walk cheerfully and elegantly…as you walk imagine you are not moving at all, but that the world is coming to you. Maybe notice a lamp post or tree in front as you walk and watch how it gets bigger as it comes towards you. Notice how the wall is streaming past you, the floor beneath you….as you get used to this, you could also add the thought that the tree 200 meters in front of you is also your future coming towards you. The past is gone, the tree is not yet arrived, you are in the presence of your walking. Invariably, if someone can change their perspective away from hurrying towards some time or place, then there is a sensation of ease, grace and floatiness. The habitual tensions and pull-down disappear. It is a way of inhibiting your end-gaining. Very simple and very effective. Enjoy!
