Once in a lifetime practice?
…..”I saw the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time”
The Tragically Hip are a uniquely Canadian band that provide a sense of Canadian identity and pride. I would not call myself a hipster, maybe a hipster dufus – ha, but they are a band with amazingly loyal fans. As a Canadian I am proud that this bands music represents a lot about who we are.
Gord Downie the lead singer and songwriter for the band was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He decided he wanted to do one more tour starting in Victoria and ending in Kingston where the band hails from. His band mates were concerned about if Gord would be able to do this tour; would he forget the words or worse yet would he have some kind of seizure on stage in front of everyone. They decided to go ahead with the tour.
I live in Victoria and was unable to get tickets as the whole tour sold out in minutes.
On opening day for the tour I happened to drive by the arena and saw all the partying going on getting ready for this tours opening show – the place was crowded with people anticipating tonight’s show. I felt like kicking myself for not having tickets.
At home I was making dinner and the local news came on the TV and the very first story was about 100 tickets now available for the show due to rearranging of the stage. It was first come first served; all I had to do was be the 99th person to arrive at the arena – I turn to my wife and say I gotta try.
I stop making dinner jump in the car and head over, about a 20 minute drive. I’m elated as I get two tickets – we’re going to the show.
We arrive at the venue, there is such an awesome buzz and vibe going on. We find our way to our seats which happen to be front row on the side of the stage with a completely open view – amazing! During the show every once in a while Gord wouLd walk over to the side of the stage where I was and point to me; yes me – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it – ha.
This show is a one of a kind event that I could actually feel the love pouring out of every single person in this sold out arena. It is something I will never forget – I’m so happy I was able to be a part of it.
The tour continued on; culminating in Kingston on August 20th 2016, and was globally broadcast live on CBC TV. Another uniquely Canadian institution.
All that I have said to this point is a rather long preamble to what I think was or will be a once in a lifetime practice.
In October of the following year as I was just about to pull in to the parking lot where I practice. I was listening to the radio. The announcer came on air about 10 mins before air time and said that Gord Downie had passed away.
As I let that news soak in I felt incredibly sad. I parked the car and just listened to the announcer talk admirably about Mr. Downie. I just sat in the car and listened to him talk. As I let this sad news absorb I was feeling somber and extremely quiet. I thought seriously about going back home – but I didn’t. I said to myself that I would do my practice and I would give him a few minutes of thought at the end.
As I walked down the hall to the practice room I was feeling quiet, resolute, and very calm. I was already in a quiet state of mind and I had not even started my practice yet.
In the practice room I place my mat at the back of the room and the whole time I’m there I talk to nobody not even about the sad news.
Before I start my practice; my mind is already still. As I start to go through the asanas and vinyasas my practice feels calm and effortless and it also feels timeless. In fact this whole practice felt as though the hour and a half went by in minutes. It was as if I was surfing in the sweet spot of a large wave (FYI I’ve never surfed before).
After closing and before savasana I sat with crossed legs and placed prayer hands in front of my face. I have never done this before. I thought I would turn my thoughts to Gord but that’s not what happened. As I closed my eyes and brought my hands up to my face I felt a flow of warmth coming from around and inside of my head and passing down into and around my body. I was not thinking about anything but I was aware I was there feeling a sense of bliss and incredible comfort. I was not thinking about Gord at all. I was feeling happy?, comfortable, and warm.
I think I stayed in this position for about three or four minutes – I really have no idea how long. My eyes began to open and I realized I had been crying; there were tears flowing down my cheeks – I had no idea that this was happening. I can’t explain what happened to me but it shows me that there is more. I have always believed that my own intentions can create powerful internal processes of physical change.
The very first book I read on yoga was The Science of Yoga by William J Broad which talks, in part, about the science that backs up the benefits of yoga. The most recent book I read about yoga was Eddie Stern’s book One Simple Thing. This book is a more recent look at the science behind yoga. Eddie’s book really emphasized how I feel about my own power. I feel these two books plus lots of others I have read including my own practice, inform of the possibilities.
I have no idea what happened to me as I often feel calm, relaxed, and free of thought in practice but this was on a level I doubt will ever happen again.
People or mostly friends might read this story and say something like; Daaaave…….what were you smoking…..
….”coulda been the Willie Nelson coulda been the wine”.
But it was real.