I offer this video because the activity of colorguard, in which I was both a performer and a teacher, has brought me great joy in my life. Colorguard and marching band* are when I can first recall consciously being in the here and now, the same as the title of the performance in the video. Also, the performance is breathtaking in design, technical acuity, and caliber of performance.
I am grateful for the lessons on how to practice concentration and focus, sometimes 10-12hrs a day. There’s a lot happening in any one moment and a mindless second or two can be dangerous for yourself and your fellow performers. Marching band and colorguard gave me the ability to tap into the present moment and be with what is happening as it is happening, with an eye towards course correction; what do I need to maintain or regain alignment from this moment in my steps to the next. The activity necessitates the practice of single-minded focus, the definition of meditation.
The awareness and focus honed in the marching arts aren’t all that different from navigating every-day life; Notice what you are doing. Notice what those around you are doing. How close are you and what is your intended distance? How do you adjust course and distance with the greatest equanimity and ease? Is your intention to be in unison, harmony, or dissonance with what’s happening around you? Is your intention to be in rhythm or syncopation with what’s happening around you? Adjust accordingly.
Colorguard also taught me to let go of mis-takes and begin again...and again...and again...one more time. We do the same thing when we’re sitting on the cushion building our capacity to be with whatever arises, without judgment, and notice that we have left the cushion (mentally) and/or started a commentary/judgment stream on what’s happening, what should and shouldn’t be, or how good or bad we are at this process. Just notice what you’re doing. If it’s not in alignment with your intentions (focus on the breath or sensations of the body, in the case of formal meditation), let go and begin again.
What activities do you have in your life that affords you the opportunity to practice single-minded focus? Playing sports? Video games? Dancing? Driving? Hiking? Walking? See if you can invite this practice of tuning in to what you’re experiencing as you’re experiencing it, without judgment, as you go about one of your favorite activities.
* side note for the band geeks :: I love to talk about my marching band, drum corps, and colorguard experiences. I was a bass drummer for two years. Played snare drum for two years, in addition to tenor drums, mallets, timpani, and accidental percussion. I was a french horn player for two years of concert band while I was the drum major for marching band. I went on to college as a French Horn major (Music Ed, Indiana University of PA), but chose to do colorguard for the IUP marching band. I march drum corps for on mellophone for two years (LV Cheiftons & Crossmen) and colorguard for two (Cavaliers ‘95 and General Butler Vagabonds ‘96). I also taught HS Marching Band & colorguard throughout Southeastern & Southwestern PA.
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