Day Twenty-Four – Warning

I had sciatica and back pain for years after I became a teacher of Alexander Technique. Turns out, it was how I was using my Self, but until I met Marj, no-one knew to point that out to me. One day this huge hand appeared from space, repeatedly whacking me psychically on the chest, as I heard words that echoed through the days and years that followed: "What are you doing that for!?" It was my teacher Marj, and "that" was raising my chest, over straightening my neck, and trying to be a good, Alexander boy. As I studied with Marj, I discovered that my early reliance on "hands on" (a term I consider entirely inappropriate within the context of education), created within me articulated "feeling guides" which dictated the kind of movement I asked of my Self. This is a huge topic, the unravelling of which finally made sense of FM's aphorism that had puzzled me for years: "When the time comes that you can trust your feeling, you won't want to use it." I was proud of how I "felt" when "did Alexander", without recognition that this constant "feeling" practice led to my sciatica. I've read – even recently – that some Alexander Technique teachers continue with back pain even after studying the work. Hmmm. My conclusion, from my own experience, is that pain is more likely caused by me, by my use of Self, than it is an irrevocable fault of Nature. Which is hopeful, and victimlessness. Pain what is right about us, not what is wrong about us. Pain is a way our system communicates – it is the red light blinking in our car, warning us not to continue much longer without putting some oil in the engine. Before anything else – you need to recognise that red light blinking at you. In the context of human movement – what is a corrective action? Investigation. Enquiry. Meeting with the mind that doesn't know. In my years of teaching before meeting Marj, I became the person who knows, conveniently ignoring that my sciatica kept repeating itself whenever I was teaching a lot. Why didn't I investigate? Why did I accept such a state of affairs? I don't know. It remains a mystery. So I wonder today: if I did then, maybe I am now too? Back then I knew I had sciatica, but I did not recognise a red light blinking. It was an inconvenience, that's all. Later I discovered it was huge – it was the whole of me. Letting my puffed up chest deflate revealed a deep well of feelings I had no idea existed. I stopped drinking, and started feeling – real feelings, not the articulated Alexander-feeling-guides that actually suppressed knowledge of my true self. Your Task – Are There Any Red Lights Blinking Right Now?

I firmly believe our unconscious is constantly delivering messages that require our recognition. For example, a major heart attack doesn't appear without being preceded by a long string of warning signals, ranging from hair loss, nose bleeds and sexual dysfunction: all potential signs that your circulatory system is dysfunctional. The crisis, whatever the crisis is, was warning you a long time before it came. In business, it is the same. No crisis strikes without a lot of red blinking lights first appearing all around you. Look for these little signs: mild symptoms which when taken into account, and dealt with immediately, result in improved functioning and health. What do you do now? When I asked myself this question this morning – I got a list of 6 items. After listing them, I started to find positive, constructive plans to more deeply understand the message I was getting. This can involve asking more questions, taking concrete steps, just being more aware, speaking honestly to someone, making a decision you're putting off. In each case, if you can take a step forward, take it. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to take a look around your life and business and notice if have any red, blinking lights and take whatever action you can that deals appropriately with them.