10th perspective sixth view

A second method of taking a break uses a delicate balance. We stand outside the process observing. The tension forms around enchanting the play without tearing the imaginary fabric of the space.

Perspective Exercise #7: Reminders

So how can we stand outside and remain agile? We don’t want to harden into a type of stone. Patient observation helps as does disempowering shame. Start with a list of reminders. Add personal ones as they come to mind. We can write them and post them on our favorite mirror. Remind us that under all, around all and through all we still like play. Reminders can state that we can play and work. Reminders speak with a silly voice and still have integrity. Reminders can fail to know how and still play. Reminders can be playful first and attending to important details fully. Reminders can make up new ways of playing when other ways have lost their essence. Reminders can set boundaries that when pushed allow wonderful yogic stretches. All this occurs in the time and space of standing out.

Perspective Exercise #8: Standing Out

Standing out allows reinvention. If something doesn’t work, playing can lead to another level. Remember how we talked about the story of two children fighting over a ball. (Really, I am not sure we did.) When the adult watching has enough, he takes the ball and runs. The children unite in their attempt to retrieve the ball. The direction of the play shifts. The first conflict has lost energy. One duality dissolves when the direction of play changes. Looking for the direction for the ball to take next requires only a moment standing outside. A simple act created an act of realignment. Reinvention occurred. Look for the ball in our life. Instead of dissecting the conflict, take or have someone we trust take the ball in a different direction. If we rely on someone else then we can pursue the ball with the players involved in the conflict. Successful moments of shifted perspective will probably seed a grin in our cheeks. Sometimes we can accomplish the entire shift in our head and we still get to grin.


Keep practicing the shift.


Make notes about any discoveries. And make notes to remind us to practice personal shifts.

Plan a time when you can instigate this kind of play into every day life. A favorite tight stuck place serves as the perfect starting point.