(A precursor to Your Everlasting Power)

There is a lot to think and write about when it comes to knowing ourselves, our innate characteristics as Humans, and what it means to become whom we become as we journey through life. This goes beyond “mere” philosophy; these are topics of introspection all human beings contemplate and explore at one time or another, in one way or another.

My personal belief is that every single human being needs a safe space where life is calm. This calmness is not about happiness, but rather about the lack of “stormy weather” - a space where we are not pulled and split apart by the never ending demands of living. This safe space is what I continuously refer to as being a sanctuary.

For me, a sanctuary can be found in Movement, a Book, a walk in the Forest, or in listening to Music. In this safe space I do not long, I do not want, and do not need.

More so, this safe space is not a state of idleness, nor is it a state of enlightenment. It is not a space to exist in or function from - although it would be possible to do so. It is also NOT a hiding space.

Instead, it is a space I return to, or rather enter - and even more precisely, engage in - throughout my daily life, as many times as I need to…or remember to do so.

The calmness of this safe space is equivalent to optimal functioning, a state of being in the center, in a neutral state where we do not take and do not give. It is a place where all forces merge in harmony, balancing out - not as an escape or respite, but for a much more powerful purpose.

One may argue that if all forces balance each other out, and if we are to be in a neutral state, then “purpose” would no longer apply, or even mean anything. This is far from true, because the safe space I am describing is a state of being, it is a conscious, active, mode of functioning, far from being physically, mentally or emotionally limp or even numb. On the contrary, it is a state of being acutely expanded and powerful.

Accessing this safe space is actually ridiculously simple, and maybe this is why a lot of people forget it even exists. One splendid feature of such a space, is that the more you enter it, the easier it becomes to access it in any circumstance. In other words, if you spend one single minute in your safe space every day, after a while that minute will start yielding stronger and stronger effects while at the same time becoming increasingly accessible - to the point that one could enter it in a blink of an eye.

Another strange feature of this safe space is that it is so simple that it becomes difficult to explain. Yet, kids have absolute mastery of the process of entering their own safe space - albeit, they have difficulty exiting it…

While it may go by many names - from “being in the zone” to being “focused on a task”, and more, I believe that there are fundamental differences between these states of our mind. Zen practitioners for instance might come as close as possible to the safe space I am referring to, but in my case - my process has a purpose; quite a very specific purpose in fact, and therefore, a lot more pragmatic…selfish even. It is mine, this being yet another point where it diverges from a zen practice or even any other meditation practices aiming at clearing one’s mind.

I personally believe that our brain can use different states of mind for different purposes. And why wouldn't it be this way?

This also means that one approach is not better or worse than another, but rather that each approach has its own value. This, in turn, invites us to keep an open mind and embrace methodologies from across time and cultures in order to extract as much usefulness as possible for ourselves.

The reason I titled this article Evergreen, is because - just like a pine tree for example - my understanding and use of a safe space, remains unaffected by “seasonal” changes of my daily life. Just like a ship’s gyroscope surrounded by rough waters, my Sanctuary is perfectly insulated from any forces acting upon it and there is a way yours can be too. This gyroscopic feature is fundamental to its purpose.

As always with my writing or classes, I invite you on an exploratory exercise of how you can make various mental practices your own. This involves your willingness to try different things while at the same time remaining aware that everything you try can be adapted to serve your well-being.

In a future article I will explore and analyze the functional meaning of my safe space, its framework and quantifiable benefits anyone can tap into in a blink of an eye - Your Everlasting Power.

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At KineOasis we are dedicated to the empowerment and creative freedom of our students through the exploration and intelligent study of movement in a relaxed and non-toxic learning environment. We use Movement as a means to naturally empower ourselves and our students, to intervene with development as needed, and to enhance everyone's quality of life. Movement As Sanctuary - A method and teaching philosophy life.