lunedì 23 novembre 2020

Sognare ancora - Still dreaming (ITA-ENG)


Qualcuno ha detto che dopo i trent’anni non si dovrebbe più sognare, o meglio, che si dovrebbero mettere da parte i sogni per vivere seguendo uno schema realistico, prefissato e ben delineato.

Eppure, questo periodo storico mi ha insegnato che non esiste niente di certo, sicuro e scolpito nella pietra: tutto può cambiare da un giorno all'altro, persino le cose che si danno per scontate. Ed è appunto in giorni come questi che io sento di dover sognare ancora di più, perché nei giorni tristi, quelli in cui mi sento affogare, sono proprio i sogni che ho già realizzato e quelli che vorrei materializzare a tenermi a galla.

Un sogno non deve per forza riguardare qualcosa di grandissimo, inarrivabile e sconvolgente, può semplicemente essere la realizzazione di un desiderio personale coltivato con passione e amore; oppure un caso fortuito che fa arrivare la cosa giusta, al momento giusto.

La realizzazione di un sogno può avvenire gradualmente o esplodere in modo improvviso, si può percepire come un leggero e piacevole tepore al cuore, o come uno sciame di farfalle che rivolta lo stomaco, risvegliando sensazioni fanciullesche. 

Non ci può essere un limite a tutto questo, non ci può essere alcun motivo per cui non si debba più sognare o andare al di là di quanto tangibilmente percepibile. 

William Shakespeare, che tra l'altro è nato il mio stesso giorno, scrisse: “Noi siamo fatti della stessa sostanza dei sogni, e nello spazio e nel tempo d’un sogno è raccolta la nostra breve vita” (W. Shakespeare, La tempesta), ed io non potrei essere più d'accordo. 

Continuerò a sognare, come prima e più di prima, perché sono sempre più convinta che siano una parte essenziale della nostra esperienza umana. 



Someone said that after the age of thirty, one should no longer dream, or rather, that dreams should be put aside to live a more realistic, predetermined, and well-defined pattern.

Yet, this historical period has taught me that there is nothing certain, sure, and set in stone: everything can change overnight, even the things that are taken for granted.

And it is precisely in days like these that I feel I have to dream even more, because in the sad days, those in which I feel drowning, it is actually the dreams that I have already realized and the ones that I would like to materialize that keep me afloat.

A dream does not have to be about something huge, unattainable, and shocking, it can simply be the fulfillment of a personal desire cultivated with passion and love; or a chance that the right thing arrives at the right time.

The realization of a dream can happen gradually or suddenly explode, it can be perceived as light and pleasant warmth in the heart, or as a swarm of butterflies that turns the stomach upsidedown, awakening childish sensations.

There can be no limit to all this, there can be no reason why we should no longer dream or go beyond what is tangibly perceptible.

William Shakespeare, who among other things was born on the same day as me, wrote: "We are such stuff 
As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep." (W. Shakespeare, The Tempest), and I couldn't agree more.

I will continue to dream, as before and more than before because I am increasingly convinced that they are an essential part of our human experience.

lunedì 16 novembre 2020

Raccontami ancora di quella volta - Tell me again about that time

ITA - ENG

Raccontami ancora di quella volta.

Raccontami ancora di come le cose non vanno mai come vorremmo e del perché sia questo a rendere la vita più interessante.
Raccontami di nuovo dove andiamo a finire dopo la morte, di quell'energia che si disperde e che si distribuisce in tutto l'universo.
Raccontami un'altra volta di come l'ispirazione doni sé stessa alle persone malinconiche, mentre preferisce negarsi maliziosamente a quelle felici.

Raccontamelo, ti prego.

Questa volta presterò più attenzione, questa volta non mi arrabbierò quando mi dirai che le cose non vanno quasi mai come noi desideriamo. Avevi ragione tu, la vita è imprevedibile, altrimenti non sarei qui a scrivere queste cose.
Indicami dove si disperderà la tua energia nell'universo, così che io ti possa trovare; disegnami una mappa, crea una legenda, traccia un percorso che io possa seguire.
E soprattutto, mostrami la tua malinconia, perché non mi fa paura.
Sappi che se mai sarai felice, ti donerò la mia di ispirazione, io ne ho a bizzeffe.
A dire il vero non so nemmeno io cosa farmene di tutto questo estro, sono anni che ne faccio scorta. 
Sai, se mai dovessi essere felice anch'io, un giorno.

Raccontami di quella volta, di quella volta in cui è bastato scambiarsi uno sguardo per capire tutto. 
Raccontami se è accaduto davvero o se ormai sono stata inghiottita dalla generosa follia della mia immaginazione. 

Tell me again about that time.

Tell me again about how things never turn out the way we would like them to and why this is what makes life more interesting.
Tell me again where we end up after death, of that energy that is dispersed and distributed throughout the universe.
Tell me once more about how inspiration gives itself to melancholy people, while it prefers to maliciously deny itself to happy ones.

Tell me, please.
This time I will pay more attention, this time I will not get angry when you tell me that things rarely go our way.

You were right, life is unpredictable, otherwise, I wouldn't be here writing these things.
Tell me where your energy will be dispersed in the universe so that I can find you; draw me a map, create a legend, trace a path that I can follow.
And above all, show me your melancholy, because it won't scare me.
Know that if by chance, you are happy, I will give you my inspiration, I have plenty.
To tell the truth, I don't even know what to do with all this inspiration, I've been stocking it up for years.
You know, in case someday I would ever be happy too.
Tell me about that time, about that time when it was enough to exchange a glance to understand each other.

Tell me if it really happened or if I've been swallowed by the generous folly of my imagination. 

lunedì 2 novembre 2020

Era solo un sogno



Questa notte ho fatto un sogno davvero strano, effettivamente era un po' di tempo che non mi capitava più di sognare così.

Da quando è iniziato questo periodo buio e difficile, anche i sogni sono cambiati, come intimoriti dalla pressione soffocante della realtà diurna che prende ed avvolge ogni desiderio futuro e lo lega inevitabilmente ad un destino comune per tutta l'umanità.
Eppure il sogno di stanotte è stato diverso, non particolarmente bello o positivo, ma semplicemente creativo, assurdo, enigmatico, proprio come i sogni che facevo prima.
Nel mio sogno c'erano alcune mie vecchie amiche, persone che ho perso di vista e che ormai osservo solo da lontano grazie alla testimonianza lasciata da qualche foto aggraziata postata sui social. Mi compiaccio che siano vive e che stiano bene, ovviamente, ma risulta strano vedere dettagli intimi della loro vita senza esserne davvero parte. 

Comunque, nel sogno le ragazze parlavano delle loro carriere favolose e tenevano in mano dei faldoni pieni di fogli, tenuti in ordine da tanti segnapagina colorati che parevano delle pignatte. Io le osservavo e pian piano scivolavo verso il basso, fino a quando mi sono fatta così piccola da cadere tra le pieghe del divano, in quei luoghi oscuri dove si annidano le briciole e la polvere.
Il divano è comparso all'improvviso, non mi ero nemmeno resa conto di esservi sopra (e poi dentro), ma il mio rimpicciolirmi, ecco quello lo potevo percepire bene. 
Senza che loro se ne fossero nemmeno accorte, io non c'ero più, o meglio, io c'ero, ma loro non mi potevano più vedere.
Agitandomi balzavo tra la polvere e le briciole per farmi notare, ma loro ormai stavano andando via con dei vinili in mano (evidentemente i faldoni non servivano più).

Alla fine mi sono accovacciata, ho appoggiato la testa sulle ginocchia e mi sono svegliata, felice e confusa di non aver sognato grafici e numeri. 

giovedì 4 giugno 2020

Scusate, ma questo non è solo un momento storico come un altro.

Per quanto si possa tentare di fare finta di niente, non si può negare che questo sia un periodo storico difficile, duro e tagliente; un periodo che lascerà un segno indelebile nelle nostre vite. Il virus, l'economia, i disastri ambientali e le proteste per i diritti civili, ci hanno mostrato i nostri limiti e la necessità impellente di una vera trasformazione e cambiamento. 

In questo clima vorticoso di desiderio e paura, mi sento risucchiare nella confusione dei miei pensieri e salto da una parte all'altra rimanendo faticosamente stabile. Da una parte non sopporto il mondo che abbiamo costruito sinora con tutte le sue contraddizioni e le sue ingiustizie, ma dall'altra temo che il cambiamenti possa portare a più ingiustizie ed ineguaglianze. Eppure nel mezzo c'è ancora una zona luminosa di speranza che mi fa sperare nella possibilità di un'umanità evoluta, brillante e benevola. Un'umanità a servizio dell'ambiente, degli animali e di sé stessa. 

"L'inferno dei viventi non è qualcosa che sarà; se ce n'è uno, è quello che è già qui, l'inferno che abitiamo tutti i giorni, che formiamo stando insieme. Due modi ci sono per non soffrirne. Il primo riesce facile a molti: accettare l'inferno e diventarne parte fino al punto di non vederlo più. Il secondo è rischioso ed esige attenzione e apprendimento continui: cercare e saper riconoscere chi e cosa, in mezzo all'inferno, non è inferno, e farlo durare, e dargli spazio". Lezioni americane - Italo Calvino

venerdì 20 dicembre 2019

Tao Te Ching - Verse 8


Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash

About verse 8 of the Tao Te Ching, Wayne Dyer wrote: "I live in accordance with nature and therefore never go against the way of things" (from the book 'Living the Wisdom of the Tao' by Wayne Dyer). In this Chapter Lao Tsu talks about water, and the supreme good, which is like water. Water behaves naturally, unselfishly and nourishing each being. Water is yielding but still very strong and determined. In Tai Chi the element of water is extremely important, it represents the ability to envelop, wrap up and avoiding to save energy. Water can overcome any obstacle by finding its way through everything. It's a very determined element which is associated with strong willpower. Calmness, patience, and reflectiveness are the keys to live in accordance with nature and be part of the "way".
On my Instagram: "verogreen23"
I posted a video related to this verse, where I show in practice what these words made me think about. 

mercoledì 17 luglio 2019

Tao Te Ching - Verse 7



"..for this reason the sage puts himself last and so ends up ahead.." and also "..through selfless action, fulfillment is attained.." I've chosen to share these two sentences from the book: "Living the Wisdom of the Tao" by Dr. Wayne Dyer, both from chapter 7. This seventh chapter of the Tao Te Ching (in any translation) is about 'selflessness'. Heaven and Earth are eternal because of their humility and generosity and the sage is always fulfilled because of its generosity and selfless capability to serve others. In this chapter, we are confronted with our ambitions and egoistic needs and about this Lao Tzu would like to share a really powerful truth: when the selfish ego pulls back, the Universe can fill that void and take care of things. It's actually a really hard statement to understand and put into practice, because it's linked directly with our capability to let go or let God as always said Wayne Dyer (and here I refer to anything we may believe in: Universe, God, Spirituality...). As human beings, we have this desperate need for controlling everything and constantly fight against ourselves to obtain more. I really like the message of this chapter because it's so true and powerful that I'm attracted to it and at the same time I feel the need to deny it. Awakening it's a long and hard road, so I won't force myself to understand everything immediately, but I'd rather try to live by it. For this chapter, I've chosen a move from the "Spring Form for the liver", a move that should liberate ourselves for attachment, resentment, and selfishness. Spring is the season of generosity and inclusion, connection and fulfillment. - Please remember I'm not teaching the move but just showing it. - 

mercoledì 3 luglio 2019

Tao Te Ching - Verse 6



About the 6th verse of the Tao Te Ching, Wayne Dyer wrote: "I pay attention to my inner callings" (from the book 'Living the Wisdom of the Tao' by Wayne Dyer). In this chapter, Lao Tzu refers to the spirit which resides in everything and everyone. This spirit is pure, neverending and creative as the Tao. As we said before, the Tao is empty. And here Lao Tzu uses the word gu which means valley, gorge, cave and in many translations is connected to the feminine. Heaven and Earth are rooted in this feminine spirit (which is the Tao), but also he writes that this source is endless and still willing to give more. I like how Wayne Dyer took the complexity of these words and elaborated a unique vision centered on our own personal growth. People may discuss the Tao Te Ching and its different meaning, an exercise of linguistic and philosophy. But very few are capable to catch the essence of this book and try to apply its teachings to their daily life. For this chapter, I've chosen a move from the Shi Ba Shi Form. It's called: "Take the boat to the center of the tranquil lake". In this move, the hands are moving from the outside towards the inside. This move always makes me feel more connected to my spirit and my inner callings. And the tranquillity of the lake, makes me think about the gu Lao Tzu refers to in this chapter. - Please remember I'm not teaching the move but just showing it. - 

venerdì 14 giugno 2019

Tao Te Ching - Verse 5




"Hold on to the center. Man was made to sit quietly and find the truth within." 


This is the last part of the 5th verse of the Tao Te Ching (this part is from "Living the wisdom of the Tao" by Wayne Dyer). In this part, Laozi is underlining how the authentic way is the one emerging from the inside, without any external requirements. These words made me think a lot about judgment, and I am not talking only about external evaluation but mostly about self-judgment. Truth is, we are our most fearsome and ruthless judges, we have the ability to hurt ourselves with comparisons and degradation and rarely we treat ourselves with love and compassion. It's very hard to sit quietly and trust our center which is directly connected to the source of energy. We already have all the answers, but we are never really quiet and those answers cannot reveal themselves to a confused and doubtful mind. Centering is one of my favorite movement in Tai Chi and Qi Gong. When I practice Centering I really feel connect and quiet, open to listen and to trust my truth within. This is connected to the first part of this verse, which is about changes and the ability to accept them as a natural part of life. A strong attachment to things and people could lead to pain and disappointment, driving us away from our truth within. Of course, this is really the hardest part to practice, but I've personally developed my own way to deal with this: I imagine myself as an observer of my own life and I try not to be judgmental while observing all the things which are hurting me or those which are keeping me from evolving. Observation without judgment is a great way to be aware of what is going on in our lives without adding any other pressure. After observing I practice my Centering exercises and then I let my Center guide me back to my own truth. - Please remember I'm not teaching the move but just showing it. - 

lunedì 10 giugno 2019

Tao Te Ching - Verse 4




I'm currently reading and studying the 4th chapter of the Tao Te Ching. This verse is really intense and profound and it has taken me a while to understand it. "The Tao is empty but inexhaustible, bottomless, the ancestor of it all." This is the first part of verse 4 (translation provided by "Living the Wisdom of the Tao by Wayne Dyer"). It seems like this part is talking about the soul, the spirit and its inclusiveness. The spirit is bottomless, is infinite and connected to everything. I also like the part where it says: "it is hidden but always present". Again the Tao Te Ching seems to connect with the principles of Quantum Physics, acknowledging the fact that reality is the result of infinite possibilities and that the observer is the key to create different perceivable realities. Void, form, emptiness, and perception. This verse also reminds me of the Heart Sutra: (here a small part translated by Thich Nhat Hanh ) “Listen Sariputra, this Body itself is Emptiness and Emptiness itself is this Body. This Body is not other than Emptiness and Emptiness is not other than this Body. The same is true of Feelings, Perceptions, Mental Formations, and Consciousness." For this verse, I've chosen the first move of the Ba Duan Jin: shuāngshǒu tuō tiān - hands supporting Heaven. Please remember I'm not teaching the move but just showing it.

domenica 2 giugno 2019

Tao Te Ching - Verse 3





Today I'm gonna talk about the 3rd verse of the Tao Te Ching. As always I've started my research from the translated version of Dr. Wayne Dyer, but online you can find many different translations of the Tao Te Ching. This verse is very intense and strong. It's a lot about liberation and the art of 'not doing'. I'm gonna write the last part: "Practice not doing... When action is pure and selfless, everything settles into its own perfect place". This, of course, is a very famous quote and it's also really comprehensible (harder is its implementation). But the part I really like about this 3rd verse, it's the center. 
The central part talks about the sage. It's written that the sage empties the hearts (xin) and fills the cores (translation by Universale Economica Feltrinelli). Xin is not only the physical heart, but it's also everything which is connected to it. It's the place of thoughts, intentions, and emotions. Emptying the hearths, the sage leads his people to a calm and peaceful state and filling their core, he assures a state of wellbeing to all of them. The sage leads people to their natural state and helps them be, and find self-consciousness. A clear mind is more receptive and a calm heart can recognize its real path. Wayne Dyer, about this verse, wrote: "I know that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way". It may sound obvious and simple, but it's not. I think it's simply amazing how he lived and interpreted the Tao. For this verse, I've chosen a posture from the 108 Tai Chi Yang form.
It's called 'Hai Ti Chen' - grab the tip on the sea bottom. Only in calm and clear water, we are able to see and grab the tip. (Please remember I'm not teaching movements or postures, but just showing them!)

mercoledì 29 maggio 2019

Tao Te Ching - Verse 2

video on my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx4gEsajmdg/

Today I'm gonna talk about the 2nd verse of the Tao Te Ching, following the post about the 1st verse which I wrote a couple of days ago. The second verse is about the complementarity of opposites and the attitude of the sage (I recommend you to find your favorite translation of the Tao Te Ching because they are all slightly different). When I think about opposites I can clearly visualize the yin and the yang of the Taijitu. The Taiji is this famous symbol ☯️ representing the infinite movement of the yin yang in harmony, literally translated as the 'supreme ultimate (taiji) diagram (tu)'. In this second verse, there is a very important sentence about it: "So the sage lives openly with apparent duality and paradoxical unity". I think this part is essential to understand Taiji (Tai Chi) and its practice: duality and complementarity. In Tai Chi, moves are all connected, but they are all different and equally important. In this practice, the end of a move is the beginning of a new one. When I practice the 108 Taiji form I try to think about it and connect every movement, but also I try to remember the importance of each posture. I'm also attempting to apply this to my daily life, enjoying the present, but keeping in mind the great picture. I'd like to leave you with the last part of the second verse: "When the work is done, it is forgotten. That is why it lasts forever". (This translation of the Tao Te Ching is from the book: Living the wisdom of the Tao by Wayne Dyer). The sage is someone who doesn't crave for rewards, the sage doesn't want to lead, but at the same time, because this person knows the Tao, the sage is a real inspiration. For this verse, I've chosen the third posture of the Ba Duan Jin, where the hands connect and exchange at the center (I often use this practice to prepare myself). Please remember I'm not teaching movements or postures here, but just showing them!

Tao Te Ching verso 16 - verse 16 - ITA and ENG

  "Ritornare alle radici significa trovare la pace. Trovare la pace significa onorare il proprio destino. Onorare il proprio destino è ...