Where Do You Find Balance?
Having worked in Silicon Valley for most of my adult life, I’ve always felt the effects of the fast pace of technology. The older I got, the more I felt the stress it created.
About 25 years ago, I was going through some life changes and discovered a bonsai class at the local recreation center. It was taught by Japanese gardeners, much like the group my father socialized with when I was growing up. In an interesting way, it felt comfortable, perhaps; because they reminded me of my dad and his friends.
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Like father, like son. It turns out that we both have a passion for bonsai. However, more importantly, working with bonsai it provided relief from the stress’ of my day-to-day professional life.
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Stress was replaced with a sense of BALANCE. Working with the trees forced me to focus on being in the moment -- what Eckhart Tolle calls the “Power of Now.” I was able to lose my cares while I worked on the few trees I had. I believe it’s a powerful form of meditation, at least for me.
To this day, it still and always will have that effect on me. Even when I’m simply pulling out weeds, I could go from tree to tree and not know where the time went. When I am done, I always feel a sense of accomplishment.
My goal is to pass down what I’ve learned from others, my experiences, and my appreciation of this traditional practice. In doing so, I find that I teach all the facets of the art form, from the structural and technical side to the more esoteric aspects. I believe that bonsai instills in you, commitment, patience, and a sense of accomplishment, and above all creates balance in your life.
To this day, it still and always will have that effect on me. Even when I’m simply pulling out weeds, I could go from tree to tree and not know where the time went. When I am done, I always feel a sense of accomplishment.
My goal is to pass down what I’ve learned from others, my experiences, and my appreciation of this traditional practice. In doing so, I find that I teach all the facets of the art form, from the structural and technical side to the more esoteric aspects. I believe that bonsai instills in you, commitment, patience, and a sense of accomplishment, and above all creates balance in your life.
