Like heat seeking missiles
the words you spoke
found my mind,
And then…
I close my eyes
hands touching
ever so lightly,
with tender respect…
electric nevertheless.
Luscious ecstasy
of discovery,
tentative fingertips
connecting,
exploring
to soft palming.
Arms held wide
pulled in close
staying centered,
connection intact.
The music stopped,
crashing waves subsided,
eyes opened
we disconnect
and still…
your touch lingers
Copyright © Henri Ferguson 2003
Author notes
I meet with this group every week to “push hands”. We always start the evening off with light but meaningful conversation, and warm up with various Chi Gong movements with soothing and meditative music. Pushing Hands is a Tai Chi related movement that involves two people with eyes closed connecting through, fingers, hands and wrists just maintaining light contact and making circles and other increasingly different movements. The idea being to stay in your own center (Dan Tien) and remain grounded while exploring each other’s energy. There are times when it feels as if I’m on autopilot, my arms are moving without my help, and time appears to stand still. Depending on my partner there are other times when the entire movement takes on a magical “dance like” experience. This was one of those times.
Written May 19th, 2003
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1 - 13 of 13
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energizing, uplifting, the peace found from i
Yours are the words like heat seeking missiles, this poem is astonishing - I first read it like it appears, like a love poem, very sensual, respect, love, sharing energies, the electricity between two individuals connecting them in one erotic dance - it was only the 'staying centered' that seemed out of context slightly with that 'take'. Then I read your explanation, and so read it again, like a love poem, still sensual, still the respect, the warmth, the electric connection - a love of life; a love for self, and a love for fellow companions. The words are like an elixir of life, the forces pushing and pulling and the dance weaving around the mind. This ability to centre the soul is a rare thing, but you seem to have it down; and also be able to express it for others to understand. Phenomenal, this lingers like the warm vibration of an aura massage, like the energies reverberating around a room after a really good, uplifting Yoga session. I cannot say I prefer this phrase to that, like your practice, it is the entirety or nothing at all, one leads and builds on the other. in my mind is a little ditty about let your mind go free and your body will follow - I can't place the source (at the minute)What a wonderful enriching experience, and for sharing so generously: Thank you. -
I have never gotten into anything like this...but I have discovered on my own the sensuality and vibrations really, that come when the tactile feeling of hands and fingers are used in the lightest manner. A different feeling if you do it face to face with eyes closed..but a wonderful intensity if done looking deeply into another eyes.
There is sensual..and then there is SENSUAL...Certainly the gentle connection of two in this manner creates the latter.
Wonderful write.. quite compelling.
Hugs..
Mary Ann
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Well, I was shoppin' around, sitting here needing some good reading, and dropped in here and found this one. I'm just an okie gal, corn fed, but i will tell you this - if doing this makes you feel this way, i've been missin out on a whole lot for a lot of years. I loved the whole thing of course, was swept away a bit by the mystical feel somehow, and loved it when you said 'hands touching ever so lightly, with tender respect', my oh my, what a wonderful image it painted. I know I'm way down the line on this one, you have received such accolades for your work, including this, but I just had to throw my hat in and tell you how much I enjoyed it. Hope you don't mind me coming back for a bit more now and then.
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Could it be there is a soul connection with that person? More than just the physical touch. This was a very enlightening poem, especially with your comments. Sounds very relaxing..as if it involves most all the senses. Can visualize this scene..the description was so clear.
Thanks for sharing, especially the comments. Gives the poem such depth. Enjoyed this very much. Very soothing to the spirit.
Maddie -
I do this on the beach with a group....
tho its very funny now that i sit and think about it...
before i go... i jog down about 2 miles wearing my headsets and i am blasting alternative rock running ...
so i have a physical warm up...
then this soothing wonderful dance of heat between space takes place and i am transformed for just a moment to a grain of sand before the ocean swirling in the sea part out of control yet in control yet in the 'hands' of another....
and then...
the headset goes back on....
alternative rock and i run
how odd i see this now.... never have until now.. lol
your thoughts... impressive and i wonder if you are like me in that sometimes it is incredibly sexy-sensual... its bizzar even with another woman.. if my eyes were closed when doing this.. the energy swirling the heat felt... dunno... sends me to a VERY happy place physically and mentally...
mmm thanks for this moment and its 8:30 pm LOL spoiled - twice in one day - electric nevertheless- fav line!!!
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Henri,
Your experience is identical to that which I feel whenever I am in intense conversation and communion with God. I experience inner warmth, like being plugged into a Energy plant ... and it vibrates through my being. The intensity of experience has got nothing to do with how "perfect" one is, though. I know of Christians leading an immaculate life, but stil complaining about "not making contact with God" ... One cannot trust feelings; sometimes these are like self-hypnosis ... But I also know that people tend to block their spirituality.
For me the husband in a marriage is presenting the Supreme Being ... The same highly spiritual energy present in the relationship with the Creator, MUST be flowing from man to woman; from husband to wife, and vice versa. Only THEN one may find complete peace and happiness ... and the exultation as result from fusing in spirit, mind and body ...
Thanks for sharing.
I needed this. Your poem reminded me again that sensitive tenderness between souls is what needs to be the quest.
Myra -
another fine title here, and it's good to see you writing again, friend...
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Henri...your beautiful poem reminds me of when I used to attend theatre workshops just for fun...the discovery of our inner energy through communcation and connection with others means learning to trust and show love...wonderful...thank you, Maria
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Hey Tonya, you're absolutely right about the combative aspect of this and it is definitely there, but the "dyed in the wool pacifist" in me prefers to focus on more peaceful elements of pushing hands.
Henri
xoxo -
this sounds very much like what i used to do when i was practicing shaolin. though the basic tenet was the same, the end result was vastly different...for i learned it as way to read my opponent's body language in order to counter combative strikes.
Sonia is correct... this have a very spiritual quality. I very much enjoyed
T
xoxo -
Hi Henri
This was another excellent write...when I first read it , it came across as very tender...very sensual...as if you move close to someone spiritually through a sexual experience , then move away again....
The music stopped,
crashing waves subsided,
eyes opened
we disconnect
and still…
your touch lingers ....
Almost sounds like some heavenly experience...certainly conveys that touch is the most amazing of senses...and can elicit various feelings within us...
Probably not articulating myself very well here...due to a late night !
Read your comment...and tried to imagine what you were experiencing at that time...I only ever tried yoga once and I am still recovering....it almost killed me...!
Beautiful write nonetheless...expressive and comes across as very erm...spiritual ???? !!!
~ sonia ~ -
how cool is this! very interesting...your portrayal is effortless, and as always, marvelous.
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hmmmm....the older i get, the more interested in eastern philosophies of life, wellness, being a whole spirit, etc...so i am intrigued with this poem and your explanation of the experience you had on the occasion you wrote of. it occurs to me that this exercise requires a certain discipline of mind, stilling the thought processes that would disrupt the process of connecting with another, which, of course, is really connecting one with oneself, simultaneously. you've given a vivid description of the experience...i am left with a sense of wonder and perhaps a wee bit of awe, too...so seldom, in these increasingly *disconnected* times, do we find ways to get in touch with others. i believe we are stunting our own spiritual growth by allowing such alienation of spirit and mind and body and fellow human beings to continue and to spread. i have to admire you for seeking a way to nurture yourself in spirit as well as in body. through such means do we prepare for what is to come in our lives, individually and collectively. thank you for sharing this...and putting up with my prattle...lol...okay, i'm takin' off with my soapbox now....;)
blessings to you:)
bonnie
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