General Information
I recently bought a bicycle to use while camping. As I put the bike together, I had visions of cruising the trails of some of my favorite campgrounds. I could feel the wind in my face as I navigated the narrow paths and the sounds of leaves crunching under the tires mixed with the songs of birds in the trees. When the bike was ready, I took it out on the driveway and tried it out. Let’s just say there was no wind, crunching leaves, or singing birds. I did feel hard concrete on my hand, a strange pop in my back, and a bit of a scream from the mouth of someone who has not ridden a bike in 20 years. Remember the old saying, “It’s like riding a bike…” If you want to test this adage, let me suggest a helmet, knee pads, and a back brace! Training wheels should get some consideration as well.
This experience reminded me that riding a bike takes concentration. And when we are just starting, all our concentration is on one goal! “Don’t fall over!” We correct and over correct with the handlebars. We forget to keep moving the pedals. We hit the brakes too quickly. We are consumed with surviving that first ride.
Riding the Tiger feels a lot like that bike ride. We are a soul consumed with survival. There is no way to enjoy the ride when we are focused on surviving. Joy and hope evaporate, especially when we are riding a tiger we have never met. We are so totally focused on not falling off that we cannot find our balance and relax into the ride. Our soul flashes warning signs and our attention remains riveted by the dangers that surround us. These moments are crying out for a little self-care to help us move from surviving to thriving.
This experience reminded me that riding a bike takes concentration. And when we are just starting, all our concentration is on one goal! “Don’t fall over!” We correct and over correct with the handlebars. We forget to keep moving the pedals. We hit the brakes too quickly. We are consumed with surviving that first ride.
Riding the Tiger feels a lot like that bike ride. We are a soul consumed with survival. There is no way to enjoy the ride when we are focused on surviving. Joy and hope evaporate, especially when we are riding a tiger we have never met. We are so totally focused on not falling off that we cannot find our balance and relax into the ride. Our soul flashes warning signs and our attention remains riveted by the dangers that surround us. These moments are crying out for a little self-care to help us move from surviving to thriving.
TIP -- Meditation in Motion
The usual way of dealing with any type of stress is meditation. It allows us to re-center our attention on being present to and mindful of the moment. Likewise, the ultimate way to deal with a tiger ride is meditation. However, most meditation techniques require stillness and quiet which may not be possible when the tiger is leaping over downed logs.
So today, I offer you Meditation in Motion. This is also known as the ancient Buddhist practice of mindfulness. These are the four principles of mindfulness that apply to tiger riding.
Mindfulness of Body – Pay attention to and be mindful of your breath and position. Allow your breathing to slow and your position to relax into the seat. Allow yourself to feel the ride and stay with the motion of the tiger.
Mindfulness of Feelings/Sensations – Pay attention to and be mindful of sensations and emotions, especially tension and fear. Remember that over-steering when on the bike? When our arms were tense and our soul was afraid, we made fast, abrupt changes in steering which inevitably led to skinned knees and bruised egos. The same is true when riding the tiger. Our judgment is impaired and our ability to respond is compromised. Be mindful of the tension and let it go. Be mindful of the fear and do not give it free rein in your soul
Mindfulness of Mind – Pay attention to and be mindful of your mental state. Anxiety and trust cannot coexist. You cannot trust yourself or anything else when you are anxious about what might happen. Be aware of your anxiety and recognize that it is flowing from your inexperience. Allow yourself to trust, knowing that you might fall off. And, if you do, you will get right back on!
Mindfulness of Dharma -- Pay attention to and be mindful of the way things are. Accept your situation. You have chosen to be here otherwise you would have gotten off. (Look back to last week’s Self-Care Note.) We are part of a closely connected and interdependent existence. There are causes and effects, results and consequences. You may be surprised by the unforeseen or the unanticipated, but, by and large, you have what you need to ride this Tiger. Relax into your seat. Control your breathing. Check the tension, fear, and anxiety at the door and enjoy the ride!
I will ride that bike again. I will likely fall off again. But, I will feel the wind on my face and listen to the leaves crunching and the birds singing. And you can ride whatever tiger life has lined up for you. Relax and enjoy the ride!
So today, I offer you Meditation in Motion. This is also known as the ancient Buddhist practice of mindfulness. These are the four principles of mindfulness that apply to tiger riding.
Mindfulness of Body – Pay attention to and be mindful of your breath and position. Allow your breathing to slow and your position to relax into the seat. Allow yourself to feel the ride and stay with the motion of the tiger.
Mindfulness of Feelings/Sensations – Pay attention to and be mindful of sensations and emotions, especially tension and fear. Remember that over-steering when on the bike? When our arms were tense and our soul was afraid, we made fast, abrupt changes in steering which inevitably led to skinned knees and bruised egos. The same is true when riding the tiger. Our judgment is impaired and our ability to respond is compromised. Be mindful of the tension and let it go. Be mindful of the fear and do not give it free rein in your soul
Mindfulness of Mind – Pay attention to and be mindful of your mental state. Anxiety and trust cannot coexist. You cannot trust yourself or anything else when you are anxious about what might happen. Be aware of your anxiety and recognize that it is flowing from your inexperience. Allow yourself to trust, knowing that you might fall off. And, if you do, you will get right back on!
Mindfulness of Dharma -- Pay attention to and be mindful of the way things are. Accept your situation. You have chosen to be here otherwise you would have gotten off. (Look back to last week’s Self-Care Note.) We are part of a closely connected and interdependent existence. There are causes and effects, results and consequences. You may be surprised by the unforeseen or the unanticipated, but, by and large, you have what you need to ride this Tiger. Relax into your seat. Control your breathing. Check the tension, fear, and anxiety at the door and enjoy the ride!
I will ride that bike again. I will likely fall off again. But, I will feel the wind on my face and listen to the leaves crunching and the birds singing. And you can ride whatever tiger life has lined up for you. Relax and enjoy the ride!
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