| There are a few things in life I believe | | | | drop it altogether as we lose the connection |
| everyone should be able to do and I find it a | | | | to our bodies in a culture that celebrates |
| little disconcerting when I find even young | | | | the visual but denies the physical. This has |
| people outsourcing their life with anything | | | | developed to an extent that touching has |
| from their breakfast, that comes | | | | become a taboo and is regulated in policies |
| home-delivered to their laundry that's | | | | and laws, especially in the workplace. Not |
| dropped off in the morning and picked up in | | | | that it has not become necessary, since |
| the evening, to calling the "super" to | | | | clearly abuse and harassment are prevalent, |
| replace a light bulb. | | | | but at the same time it has added to the |
| | | | message that physical proximity is not ok. |
| I could go on and on but you know what I | | | | |
| mean! | | | | So when I say everyone should learn how to |
| | | | give a great massage I am talking about |
| Believe me I think it's great that I can be | | | | reviving the ability to relieve pain and |
| more effective at what I do because I can | | | | provide comfort in way that does not invade a |
| delegate chores and needs that others do | | | | person's personal space. It is a service that |
| better or for less, leaving me more time to | | | | is unconditional and does not require the |
| do what I like and can do best - but it is a | | | | receiver to reciprocate in any way, shape or |
| choice, not a necessity. | | | | form. |
| | | | |
| Most of the things are simple but we have | | | | Being able to give a great massage is about |
| made them into a mystery and some are intent | | | | uncovering that inherent skill that resides |
| on keeping them mysterious as well as making | | | | in every one of us, and reminding our self |
| them accessible so as to maintain their | | | | what it means to be of unconditional service. |
| business. | | | | The strokes and movements applied even during |
| | | | a "professional" massage are secondary and |
| I am sure everyone can add to this list and | | | | can be learned with ease once inspired by the |
| maybe it depends on where you live, but for | | | | deeper understanding of service. |
| what it's worth, here are my top ten | | | | |
| positions (not in any particular order): | | | | Since no exchange on a personal level is |
| | | | expected, there is no agenda. The fact that a |
| - Learn how to create a budget, balance a | | | | professional massage therapist is paid for |
| checkbook and manage your money | | | | their service should not interfere with this |
| | | | balance as the exchange occurs on different |
| - Learn how to ride a bicycle | | | | levels. The therapist is paid for their time, |
| | | | not for their care. Between friends and |
| - Learn how to find your way home if you're | | | | family giving a massage to sooth, relieve |
| lost in nature (or in the city jungle) | | | | pain, to comfort or balance does not include |
| | | | any expectation to receive any favor in |
| - Learn CPR and first aid | | | | exchange. It is just a pure giving. |
| | | | |
| - Learn how to drive a stick shift | | | | When massage is given with no expectations |
| | | | including an outcome of any kind, there is no |
| - Learn how to iron a shirt, sew on a button | | | | agenda Since there is no agenda, the one who |
| and hem a skirt | | | | gives can be completely present in the moment |
| | | | and need not strategize or project ones own |
| - Learn about cars - change a tire, | | | | beliefs onto the other. This in itself is the |
| jumpstart, change your oil or replace a fuse | | | | core of all healing. |
| | | | |
| - Learn about electrical work - change a | | | | The basic necessary massage techniques (the |
| light bulb, replace a switch and a fuse | | | | "strokes") can be learned in under 100 hours |
| | | | of classroom time. Achieving the necessary |
| - Learn how to shop and cook meals from | | | | underlying state of mind and heart is not |
| scratch for yourself and others | | | | always facilitated, as this is something that |
| | | | cannot be learned but rather needs to be |
| - Learn how to give a great massage | | | | understood. And of course to comply with |
| | | | governing law, there are other subjects that |
| - Learn basic html and build a simple website | | | | need to be studied before licensing can occur |
| | | | and the student may practice on the general |
| Let me pick massage as an example, because | | | | public. |
| it's something I know well. I believe that | | | | |
| everyone has the inherent knowledge of how to | | | | But for me the most important element of this |
| touch with skill and awareness. We are born | | | | process is uncovering and understanding the |
| with it and when challenged we know how to | | | | principles of being in the moment with no |
| comfort as well as rub, hold, caress, stroke | | | | agenda and letting a deeper insight guide the |
| and rock ourselves and others when there is | | | | process. |
| pain or discomfort. No teacher necessary. | | | | |
| | | | Massage as basic life skill inspires the way |
| But it seems that over time we reduce this | | | | we deal with other people and inspires us to |
| activity to the occurrence of emergencies, | | | | be present in our day-to-day lives. And |
| acute pain and then extend it only to | | | | essential element of leading a rewarding |
| immediate family, to ourselves or ultimately | | | | life. |