#prancin

The concept of Self-mastery pt. 2:

Parto One 

last time I had whimsy to guide my words, this time i have more set things to talk about so hopefully I can move along with this. As a foreword: this is absolutely not meant to be comprehensive or all encompassing. This break down fails to acknowledge every aspect of the known universe and does not claim to solve every issue and disparity. This concept ignores legitimate subjects because the concept does not include them. This concept derives from many places and is very general. Ok let's a-gi-a-b-gi-a-b get a move on. PHYSICAL MASTERY AND WELL-BEING In the mysterious language steeped in spirituality and analogy that I vaguely pull this philosophy from, there is often less of an emphasis on this particular aspect of yourself. Good health is wished...but I don't think that really covers everything. When it comes to MASTERY of the self, I believe it basically breaks down to two things: 1. Searching for the limits of possibility. 2. Understanding and taking comfort in your body. 

#2 sort of branches out into other things cause it's pretty damn broad, so let's just get numerological and start with that first thing. In terms of physical limits, I find that it can be quite easy to think that where I am right now is simply how I am. This kind of attitude is mostly in the past (although it can still creep up if I am not careful), mostly due to the physical nature of the things that I do (and the high level of demand in those things). In order to achieve mastery, it is important to look beyond the current status (absolutely whatever that may be) and acknowledge that this is not yet your ULTIMATE FORM.  Much of what composes you, inside and out, can be developed and altered by choice: your choice. It is most likely impossible for you to currently know just how fast you can run or how much you can carry. I've gone from an asthmatic wreck who couldn't jog for a minute to someone who can crush a few miles (erm, I might be a bit out of shape at the moment though sooooo). I find the idea of constantly reaching and constantly improving to be incredibly enticing, and the feeling of struggle addicting.  The idea provides direction and the practice provides momentum; each are very satisfying. Of course "hey go work out fatty cause it feels good" is an ubiquitous enough concept that I don't think I'd sell any books based off of that alone, so allow me to start transitioning to #2.  After all, there are many avenues worth exploring when it comes to your body.

So pumpin iron, doin some prancin, and a little bit of hardcore yoga can teach you a lot about your body (also I find that if you understand breathing then you basically understand the meaning of life) but there is more about your self that you can understand. I'm talking about the horrible, unmentionable, please lord no subject of sexuality. Now, this discussion can get pretty darn broad pretty quick, so I'm just gonna go through this as succinctly as possible. Sex and pleasure ain't bad. Part of figuring out what makes you tick is figuring out what makes you...well y'know. This itself can be a purely individual experience devoid of external conflict, but of course the issue is what is right and wrong when it comes to this business. Well, as with all things, this should be approached with a degree of humility; while you certainly shouldn't be made to feel guilty for what you are, there are certainly cases where it's perfectly justified to feel guilty for what you do. I am not gonna be the arbitrator on that. I certainly have views on this subject, but I'd rather just leave it to the mantra constructive and positive is good, destructive and negative is bad. Again this gets iffy since this could be looked at in a number of ways, but I guess you could again summarize/ask if it affirms or denies (in a serious way). The point is ultimately acceptance, and not the dangerous acceptance that comes from active ignorance, but one that comes from much searching and deliberation. The harder fought the acceptance, the more it will be appreciated and the stronger it will be.  SO, to reach the understanding and comfort stage basically amounts to the acknowledgement that choice dictates a lot of where you are at (of course that is offset/effected/greatly determined by the hand you have been dealt). It is not that some kind of ideal has to be reached, it's that great efforts are made to truly understand the possibilities and to be secure in the knowledge that is gleaned from that effort. It is not fearing the unknown and it is confidence given from feeling like you had a hand in crafting yourself (even through discovery). It is an ongoing thing because stasis is dangerous and feels that way. Active participation means active control, and that is the empowerment of PHYSICAL SELF-MASTERY.

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES, REVEL IN THE EXPERIENCE, FEEL POWERFUL IN YOUR UNDERSTANDING

[as a bit of a more specific thing, posture is wonderful. learn to stand up straight and shit just clicks. learn balance and you are swimming pretty. learn elegance and god dammit the things you can do. I am super envious of visual artists, esp. dancers cause I can't even fathom the amount of control it takes to do that kind of thing. To have such a mastery of your body to make an art out of this purely non-verbal communication is FREAKIN AWESOME. I get my butt whooped doing fuckin marching band and that doesn't even scratch the surface. It gets way deep yo. I might elaborate on all this if I ever do like an ADVANCED series or something.]