And as you circle from side to side, said Blurtso, feel that a river runs through you… that the tension in your muscles and bones are branches that dangle in the stream, lifting the water in silver spray… and you are the river… and branches, and spray, and grooves of the surface, and hidden currents beneath…
As you shift to the left, said Blurtso, the upper hoof extends, lets go, and is replaced by the lower hoof which becomes the upper hoof as you shift to the right… the lower hoof is yin rising to yang… the upper is yang descending into yin… in the same way that all things come and go… cupboard full… cupboard empty… stomach full… stomach empty… see the pumpkin pie… see the empty tin… pumpkin pie… empty tin… pumpkin pie…
As you circle from side to side, said Blurtso, imagine your arms are a banner attached to a flag pole, a banner waving in a warm breeze, a banner on top of a pumpkin pie factory, announcing a pumpkin pie sale…
And they gathered and said, “Teach us.”
And Blurtso replied,
“One who learns under another’s teaching
to rise above another’s teaching
is another’s true teacher.”
How’s the Co-op working out in the house? said Alex. Just fine, said Blurtso, except that they think I’m some sort of guru.
Is Blurtso still pining for Lizzy? Actually, said Pablo, he’s doing much better since he converted the house into an animal shelter.
Circle from side to side, said Blurtso, shifting your weight from hoof to hoof… left hoof full, right hoof empty, right hoof full, left hoof empty…
With all this snow, said Blurtso, I don’t think I’m getting enough exercise. Maybe you should do some tai chi, said Harlan. Could you teach me? said Blurtso. Sure, said Harlan.
We’ll begin with a simple circling exercise, said Harlan.
A little less like an airplane propeller, said Harlan, more slowly, and more side to side.