When does one thing remind you of something else? What can you learn by noticing analogies or metaphors? Why is movement so integral to mindfulness?

Within every action you’ll find nuggets of knowledge to elevate your awareness. Metaphors emerge by noticing analogies. You’ll get more value by making your own.

But first, what’s the difference? Well, according to our friends at Merriam Webster, an analogy is “a comparison of two otherwise unlike things based on resemblance of a particular aspect”.

A metaphor comes later. M-W again: “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in swimming in paperwork)”

Without a doubt, you are in motion. You dance or you run or you wiggle your toes. Or perhaps you ride a bike. Even as you sit in the stillness of meditation, you are breathing, your heart is beating, your lunch is digesting.

Within every physical activity you’ll find resemblances to particular aspects of another. Physicality is fractal — expansion/contraction, forward/backward, internal/external — one dynamic maps to another.

I often quote the late Anna Halprin in musings such as this, who famously said “Your body is a microcosm of the universe.” Almost any action you can think of can illuminate other aspects of your life.

It can be a fun practice to ask yourself “What can this teach me about something else?” It’s not hard to get in the habit of, in fact, it’s as easy as falling off a log. Or for that matter, riding a bike.

We’ve been getting out and exploring the countryside on two wheels lately, enjoying the designated bike trails and the smaller roads with few cars.

Aside from the exhilaration of zooming through the fields, farms, and forests of our neighborhood by leg power alone, the simple practice of pedal propulsion brings forth inspiration galore.

This little analogy, from Arsène Lupin author Maurice Leblanc, gets to the heart of it:

“It is no longer a beast of steel . . no it is a friend . . it is a faithful and powerful ally against one’s worst enemies. It is stronger than anxiety, stronger than sadness. It has all the power of hope.”

Wow… Well, two wheels or not, look for mindful-metaphors wherever you find your movement. You’re on the map of the universe.

Much love till next Monday,

Merci et à bientôt!

M+

ML #700

Mark Metz
Monday Love Movement Calendar