Il sentido di “flow” e la vitaThe feeling of flow and lifeSo many months ago, the name of this blog ‘Naples Burning’, seemed simply a dramatic caption, easy to remember, inspired by what seemed so outrageous as to be in impossible. If only that were true; now, it seems rather apt, for the burning is what gives living here its character. And on a metaphorical level, the igniting of burning passions and commitment to nurture those passions seems apt as well. But these are thoughts to explore later. The subject on my mind is ‘flow’ and life.
Over the last several years, I have found myself drawn increasingly to understand the nature of healing, but outside the boundaries of traditional medicine. Through experience, I have come believe that the narrow focus on eliminating symptoms and classifying diseases is an incomplete look at the nature and dynamic of healing. As a result I have explored acupuncture, classical herbalism, nutrition, electromagnetic healing, chiropractic work, massage, reiki, homeopathy, and things like healing through touch, prayer, color, music, the whole range of perception. And in trying to understand how these approaches support healing, I found myself drawn to study the concepts of quantum physics and philosophy. When talking about these experiences, most often when I say that to understand how homeopathy or essential oils or acupuncture work, you need to have a basic understanding of modern concepts of quantum physics, I get some strange looks to say the least.
But what I find, in books, articles, in talking to people who use these methods, is that there is truth to this. And I find myself flowing increasingly towards immersing myself in the study of these concepts. When you follow the flow of your life, when you allow your passions to guide you, the tools you need to continue appear. For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a vet, and yet somehow in the past when the option was there to pursue that dream I didn’t. For reasons I couldn’t articulate it felt wrong. So instead I found myself a naval officer for a time, a government employee serving the Navy for a time, and now a chrysalis approaching metamorphosis. In the same way that to pursue being a vet didn’t fit in the flow needed for my life in the past, continuing on this path of government service doesn’t fit in the flow of my life now. So for many reasons, I will be leaving for a new path. This time, not alone, but in partnership with my husband.
Like the tendrils of a river, I find my thoughts branching into many streams right now, so again, I jump back to the focus. Flow. This is not a new concept. In many books on business or sports excellence- flow is the state of focus and action, a unified balance that allows one to reach new levels. But it is older than that. It is both what defines the movement of an individual life and of inter-related life. It is perhaps a way of understanding seemingly unrelated events that at some critical juncture, through a catalyst, suddenly appear not as random, but as essential to some element of that event. I am writing in vague terms here, because the details are painful at times. Our recent catalyst is the re-emergence of an aggressive cancer in our dog, my companion for over a decade, who in so many ways has been my guide on this journey- the reason I went beyond allopathic medicine to try to understand the nature of healing.
So many thoughts, but I will say for now that rather than try to explain everything, for now let me share some pivotal sources that have helped us reach a new level of understanding of this idea of flow. The discovery of NCNM and their School of Classical Chinese Medicine, in general, but in particular several of the essays by Heiner Fruehauf. Most recently and most perfectly, one titled “Cultivating the Flow” which centers on the historical roots and future path of this idea of flow in life and health. He writes on the parallels between the ancient concepts of Greece, India, and China and modern research disciplines. As he says, “From the overlapping cross points emerges a highly dynamic concept of well-being, which hinges upon the creation, maintenance, and evolution of a continuous “flow”’.
All flow is important and powerful, not just the internal flow of the individual, but the interconnected flow of a community. We’ve been reading some of the books of Thich Nhat Hahn, “Anger” and “No Death, No Fear” which expand upon these concepts. And then there is the book “Message in the Water” which shows some stunning results of research into the power of intention of words. And in another topic area, my mom recently sent us a copy of “Merle’s Door”, the timing of which was so very perfect as to be uncanny. And then the chance reading of Dr. Andrew Weil’s, “Spontaneous Healing” and it’s close study of the notion of medical hexing. I recommend making time to read all these books and essays if you can.
So why does the emergence of all these teachings make me believe in flow? Because the reading of them all came after what appeared to be a successful amputation of a cancerous ear, and before the re-emergence of that same cancer in such a way that all the vet can say is “I’m so sorry, there’s nothing more to be done”. In many ways, the ideas in these books have helped us to deal with this, to accept it with the grace that one learns from any aging dog, and to hope without desperation for whatever is best for Harley.
I could write a book on how his presence in our life has lead to a deeper respect for this flow. But quite simply, I can say only that when we look at him right now it is impossible to believe the predictions of near-death and impending doom from the vet. While he is missing an ear, his coat is vibrant, shining, his muscles toned, his energy high- at 10 now he will run his year-old companion into the ground several times in the same day. He eats well, he smiles at us- except for the occasional dirty look over our impending trip without him, he is healthy by all measures that seem important.
A close inspection will yield awareness of a growth on what remains of his ear, a sensitive touch will reveal the pebbles of this growth spreading throughout him, on his neck, sides, and chin. But I cannot in good faith call him diseased, for at this point he is at ease. His vital force is strong. The only time he looked sick was the day we chose to take him to the vet to test the lumps. It was such a radical effect; it made me believe that medical hexing is as powerful on animals as it is on people. Harley now avoids people who see only his disease, and chooses to spend time with people who see the strength of life in him as we have observed in his interactions with the people who come to share our bouldering wall. I think anyone seeking good health should perhaps consider his example.
In re-reading this, I haven’t done justice to really capturing this idea of flow well, or how it relates to recent and past events. But I’m not sure I can without extensively quoting many of these books and articles, and then I’m halfway to a book myself. So I think for now, I will leave this as an introduction to a topic the we will come back and explore as we find it relating to the events in our lives. Perhaps this short quote will help- from “Cultivating the Flow”-
…Ancient Chinese thinking assumed that there really are no solid things with clearly define boundaries, the concept of singular causalities never occurred to them…
Laughter, Love & Light,
Jen
