Centering

I came upon some quotes about centering by a new (to me) author. And I was so intrigued that I ordered one of her books, Centering in Pottery, Poetry, and the Person, by M. C. Richards.

Meanwhile as the red bird is making himself known in our still leafless river birch tree that overlooks the pond I am working on

Centering

myself. I am feeling grateful for blue skies, sunshine, and a mild day today. Every day is a gift, but some days feel like more of a gift than others. Today is one of those days.

“it is a serious thing

just to be alive

on this fresh morning

in this broken world.”

― Mary Oliver, Red Bird

Each day brings gifts and challenges. Some days the sky is beautiful and blue, like today. Other days the winds and storms of life bluster and blow. But I am learning to say “Yes” to even the most challenging times. Part of that “Yes” is found in centering myself.

Centering… is the discipline of bringing in (i.e., of sympathy or  empathy) rather than of leaving out. Of saying “Yes, Yes” to what we  behold. To what is holy and to what is unbearable. But my  experience tells me now that there is an important crucial stage of  saying Yes to a No. For resistance also must be embraced. Not only  accepting resistance but practicing it.

  — M. C. Richards, Four Virgins of the Elk Dance

I lose my balance regularly in my daily life. Then I find it again. One doesn’t find balance and stay in balance once and for all. Rather centering oneself or finding balance in life is an ongoing process.

In centering the clay on the potter’s wheel, one centers down, yes,  and then one immediately centers up! Down and up, wide and narrow,  letting focus bear within it an expanded consciousness and letting a  widened awareness (empathetic) have the commitment to detail of a  focused attention. Not “either… or,” but “both… and.” You can perhaps  feel the inner movement of a Centering consciousness that plays  dynamically in the tides of inner and outer, self and other, in an  instinctive hope toward wholeness.

— M. C. Richards, Four Virgins of the Elk Dance

What helps you center yourself?

The things that help me center include seeing beauty, practicing gratitude, taking time to meditate, and doing things that bring me joy. Practicing joy every day is  a hard won willingness to live a more expansive and passionate life no matter what.

May you walk in beauty.