Calm and strong, like a swan..
In our Wednesday ‘stillness’ group last week, I was rambling about swans. I think because I’d been inspired by my local pair, while on a walk, to just ‘be’ and not overthink things (which I’d been doing). As they saw me approach they did their sideways turn of the head to get a better look and started swimming closer towards me in case I had food. And when they realised I didn’t, they just carried on as before, ducked their heads under the water, feeding on the pond weed, just existing in the moment. An important reminder.
Anyway, that led me to the common saying, or belief, sometimes used as motivation when things are hard, of how a swan glides smoothly above the water while under the surface they frantically paddle away to achieve this image of ease.
Well, I’m entirely unashamed to say that I’ve spent a LOT of time observing my local pair and their cygnets over the years, and there is absolutely nothing frantic about a swan’s paddling (I’m actually struggling to think of anything I’ve observed them doing ‘frantically’).
In fact, their strong legs and wide, webbed feet push confidently and smoothly through the water, with impressive control and power, whether they’re in chill mode or speed-up-for-potential-food mode.
And as I like to do, I thought how we could take this as a lesson, whether ‘yogic’ or otherwise.
What is there under our surface? For us maybe, the ‘frantic’ is to be found above - the distractions, the over-thinking, the perceptions and obsessions that keep us reacting and worrying needlessly. Release each layer of the superficial thinking mind though, and under the surface there is strength, steadiness, and the sure power that comes from knowing that true calm is there.
I’m not just writing all this because I happen to love nature and enjoy how it can be used as a handy metaphor. We ARE nature. We’ve just forgotten. And as our society moves and changes ever more, so we’re becoming more distanced from that.
We already have all the peace and contentment we desire. We’re fooled into believing we need more, want more, looking elsewhere for ‘happiness’ or a letting go of our suffering. It’s not easy to release those years of cultural, familial, societal influences, but it is possible. If it helps you too, get out and observe nature. It might remind you of what’s been below your surface all along.
