May the Fourth
On this auspicious day, I have found it timely to revisit two of my most grounding philosophies.
Perhaps my favorite teaching from Jedi Master Yoda comes when he is training young Luke in the ways of the Force. He says,
“For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes.”
I believe that part of the reason Star Wars was and continues to be so captivating is its ability to weave some of the oldest and deepest notions we have about life into a galactic narrative. By framing the story “a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away” George Lucas gave us the opportunity to relax the critical chatter of our mind and to listen with our heart.
In my traditional chiropractic philosophy, principles similar to the ones expressed by Yoda are evident. In 1927, R.W. Stevenson codified 33 Principles in The Chiropractic Textbook. In it, he writes,
“The function of force is to unite intelligence and matter” and that
“the expression of intelligence through matter is the chiropractic meaning of life.”
For me, it is philosophy that serves as the foundation upon which the art and science of my craft can be firmly rooted. It is not a dogmatic belief in doctrine, but an examined lens that supports and is supported by the evidence of practice.
And so on this day and all days, may the Force (and the 4th) be with you.
Proaction or Reaction?
Camping in the Pacific Northwest, especially in Spring, means you expect rain. In addition to preparing for rain, spending an extended period of time outdoors highlights the importance of proaction.
The cumulative benefit of being mindful of small tasks and taking action before you need to cannot be overstated. Things like washing your dishes after dinner so you have clean plates for breakfast, putting the fly on your tent before it starts to rain, bringing dry wood and keeping it dry, and storing food safely to prevent or deter wildlife from noshing your lunch are examples of being proactive. Sometimes you can get away with neglecting these tasks, but how much more stress and effort are experienced when you have to react to predictable events that could put a damper on your trip?
I think, in fact I know, that the same rules apply to self-care.
Doesn’t it make more sense to consistently promote health, to position yourself to be as adaptive as possible to current stressors, and to employ measures now that prepare you for strains that will challenge you in the future?
In my line of work I often encounter folks who are reacting to signs and symptoms, which accompany an interruption in their ability to perform the tasks they need to or want to do. This is the functional definition of pain. I understand this and it is usually the entry point for people to seek help from a healthcare provider. There is nothing wrong or bad about this approach. If, however, you value being able to live a full and healthy life, reaction as a strategy is simply not as effective as proaction - action that initiates positive change.
My work focuses on helping people reorganize the neural patterns that govern whether they react or respond to stress, and how efficiently they can do so. This approach to health and wellbeing is incredibly effective to help people reacting to pain, but it is even more powerful as a proactive tool to add more life to your years.
In closing, be proactive, get outside, and take care of yourself...now.
Why The Tortoise Wins
Aesop’s fable about a tortoise who challenges a boastful hare to a foot race has several interpretations. Some consider the negative consequences of overconfidence, others the virtue of perseverance, and others still that speed and haste do not always yield victory.
I was recently in the Columbia River Gorge on a trail that was leading up to the mouth of a waterfall. There is an epic beauty to the glacially carved stretch of that river and a deep sense of geologic time. Being there affords a natural shift in perspective.
At one point I stopped along the wall and watched a tiny caterpillar effortlessly descend a vertical route that would be impossible for most other creatures. As it moved, every segment of its body unfurled like a wave in perfect coordination, each point of contact from its many legs perfectly positioned to continue the descent. There was no haste.
It reminded me of the Somato-Psychic Wave of Network Spinal Analysis and also of the tortoise, but with a new interpretation. The tortoise wins the race with the hare because by moving at his natural pace he has already won. His competition is not with the hare, who he cannot possibly beat in a race, but rather with himself - “because he competes with no one, no one can compete with him.” I believe the tortoise wins because he knows his true nature, lives in congruence with it, and because he undoubtedly stops to smell the succulents.
