The Alive Line

 Slow it down,  resist   don't resist-- Allow the pace to be what you  discover it to be --  What's the hurry?     drag,   pull,   rotate point,  wade in the fluid experience . -Robin

Some words from today’s free write after the practice. When I make a brushline, ... I connect to my body, my breath, and also the body’s texture, its own sensations, its humanness. ... I feel what is there, in my body and also with my thoughts. ... I meditate with the brush, one line at a time. -Pascale

my freewrite: When I make a line I have to be present in my body. I have to remember to keep my feet on the floor - and I am very prone to squirming. I have to keep the brush vertical and my wrist cocked. I have to rotate gently while keeping the line straight - and to feel that I am moving from my core, rather than from my head. I have to exercise gentleness and precision in order to get the rounded-edge at the beginning, 'folding over the laundry' gently so that my brush doesn't end up flattened into two factions of threads. I have to remember not to hold my breath. If I fail at any of these things, I have to let it go and continue on with the process. When I make a line the line becomes the evidence of my existence. The whole world dims and it's just me and the brush and the page. -Katie

by Eloise

 Having been notified by FedEx that my art supplies were in Wisconsin due to inclement weather, I was concerned that I wouldn't have what I needed for our next class.  Here's what arrived the next morning!  (The glue and the liquid paper are for other projects :)   I felt like I remember feeling the week before school started - grade school, mind you - getting a new pencil case, and newly sharpened pencils, and a looseleaf binder, and a pack of new paper.  Oh, and a pink eraser and a pencil sharpener...  Such loveliness setting out on this new adventure with all of you! -Ellen

by Leslie when i make a brush line i connect to the page i see before me the stability of a level place i feel connected to the earth grounded uncritical to the idea noncritical to the journey i pause i learn about being in myself balanced non-judgemental i show up i let go i connect i receive and i give ebb and flow grace simplicity and i am a part of the journey i am the journey i connect to the breath i align the breath the brush the page i am grateful i smile seeing the simplicity the opportunity the knowing the unknowing i am one with the brush the soft beginning and the soft ending the intention is set no details just a simple line carrying the flow of water on the page so beautiful so simple

 I added a little ink and then did the free writing in between the strokes . . .   When I make a line my body turns and guides me when I  make a line I know something simple and exquisite is hap- pening and all I have to do is follow along - interested - in  touch - moving - the moisture will pool if I stop - I am in a river here - flowing - continuing - and starting pure each time - step- ping into the energy - pulled along and then pausing at the end bouncing softly there and lifting up gathering together all used up - rising again - re-form the point - gaze on the past - begin again. 

Here is the first page of my free write and the full text below . .  . Barbara  When I make a brush line I begin to love again - in a big way I open - I find my way I am in contact with the world When I make a brush line I breathe - my shoulders drop I wonder - how will it all turn out ? and then I come back to the brush The water - the softness -  the animal hairs - the bamboo The upright view - When I make a brush line I pause and begin again Each line each moment new And yes - say it - I trust - I trust and I return to myself The brush line of my life The touch on the skin All the way thru All the way down to the core.