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Nobu: [to Sayuri, during the sumo match] Three things matter in life: sumo, business, and war. Understand one, you know them all.But why should a geisha care? You spend your time plucking strings and dancing.Sayuri Nitta: [to Nobu] What is sumo but a dance between giants? What is business but a dance between companies? I would like to know about every kind of dance.
~Memoirs of a Geisha
Sumo, business and war are not just about winning and losing. The dance occurs to manipulate the opponent and employ offense and defense when deemed necessary. It is not so much about physical force, the size of the army, or the weight of the wrestler than it is about how one uses his/her mind. The former are merely instruments for intimidation. The body and mind work together to create something that takes a life of its own, adjusting so quickly and in sync that the consequences you see are the culmination of practices and determination. Just as Nobu assumed she had no interest in the matter, Sayuri remarked that no one should be judged by appearances alone.
I'm not an expert on any of the three topics, but I will be starting my business soon, with the help of my parents. I've danced with them my entire life, sometimes yielding, other times pushing, stepping on each other's toes, but somehow it seems like we end up on the same side and we're not opponents at all. We go in circles and draw lines that are difficult to stay inside of, but the next step is always exciting.
This book/movie reminded me of people that spend a lifetime wishing on their own destiny, and if granted enough patience with time, your dreams are powerful enough to become a reality. Patience takes practice everyday. Listening to Thich Nhat Hanh on youtube recently, he spoke about mindfulness. I liked his reminder to take a deep inhale and exhale when you hear the phone ring, or use signals like red lights to engage yourself in breathing, not to wish upon a green light so you could travel faster. My favorite passage of his has to do with the act of washing dishes...his words are so simple yet profound in "Bathing a Newborn Buddha".
My two main tasks today were swiffering and constructing a file cabinet. Not things I enjoy doing, but I tried to remind myself to find joy in what I am doing right at that moment. With other things trickling into my mind, I can easily get frustrated when the pieces don't fit correctly, or my schedule is behind. When I breathe or do a few stretches, I can calm myself much faster than before. I believe theses little challenges add balance to our lives because when life is too easy, it becomes boring. The more challenges I face, the more time I have to practice patience.
