Travelling, Not Adventuring

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Another spring, another trip to the Climbing Wall Association Summit. This year to Portland. The last time I was in Portland was probably 1996. Before cell phones. Before planes with seat back screens playing movies and TV shows. Before the decriminalization of drugs. In the first moments on the ground, on a light rail train to the Convention Center, the number of people living in tents, or just sleeping on the sidewalk was surprising. Wanting to make a trip to Peet's coffee and Trader Joes, I wondered at my safety in going it alone on foot. 

It struck me how we as humans are constantly searching for something to engage the mind. Or to change, shift the state of our mind. As a practicing meditator, I meditate to shift the landscape of mind. At the Tiki bar we went to on day two, the fire erupting drinks and accompanying music is designed to entertain and capture the imagination, the wonder. Background music in the restaurants, the climbing gym. It is as if we humans cannot go anywhere without some mode of entertainment or novelty. 

Wandering the halls of the convention center in the following days, I was struck by the number of folks who sat alone with a computer or a handheld, as I am right now. Despite being surrounded by other humans, I am currently awaiting the boarding of my flight and yet, my focus and attention is in my own digital world typing something to publish - to share with other humans. Ironically, I am sitting two seats over from a human.

On instagram this morning there was reel describing attunement. Attunement occurs when our nervous system is synchronized with another person's nervous system. The trip to emergency when the attending nurse or physician holds the space for your emotions and allows you to calm down and obtain a little greater sense of calm.
As we watch the thrilling movie, we attune to the experience of the soon to be victim, responding with fear. Watching the movement of the puck on the ice or the ball on the field, we attune with other fans awaiting the outcome that means success or defeat. 

We love to be moved. We love the mind to have a job besides just looking for the threats around us. We love to experience food as an experience, or alcohol, drugs to shape the experience. 

What are we running, hiding, moving away from? Perhaps the just very uncomfortable sense of being alone, being unseen, being disconnected from others. 
Your challenge for today is to find someone to attune to, with. Consciously breathe at the same time they do. Remain in the same space and see what happens. See if it improves your sense of belonging, of being connected. Use the breath to regulate your emotions. And the emotions of someone else.