The title of this entry was sent to me by a member of our BodyMantra community after she read the announcement that the studio where we commune weekly is closing at the end of this month. Though the emotions and responses to this news – for me personally and for our community – range as far and wide as one can imagine (and then some), this simple distillation of words really sums up the story.

For three years now, the BodyMantra community has been moving, creating, and maturing at Core Movement in Boulder. The space has served us well as we have consciously and intentionally carved the landscape of our practice together. And it is clear that our time there is closing, as we open to the space that will created by and for the community.

My work in the world centers around cultivating presence – and this is a call for all of us to do just that. To stand amidst all of the voices that are saying: The timing is so unexpected! Where will we go? What is going to happen to our community? and listen for the voices that simultaneously speak what is happening beyond the temporal realities: This is exactly what is supposed to be happening. What an opportunity for us to grow. What is it that we want to create together, moving forward? These are the voices that will serve us in the shift toward becoming an even stronger, more entwined community. As we dedicate ourselves to the daily tidal shifts of our circumstance, our evolution will be supported.

It is for us to remember, too, that what lies between the closing and the opening is a pause. The space in between the two that someone this week referred to as the “homeless” place. The place that reminds us of the preciousness of what and who we choose to call Home. As we step into this free fall between what is past and what lies ahead, we have the opportunity to close our eyes, to listen, to hear the sound of that no-thing-ness that will usher us gracefully to our next doorstep.

This isn’t an easy journey, for the courage it takes for a community to stand together in the Void, fearlessly, takes fortitude and commitment. And there is no doubt in my mind that the timing of this transition has been chosen because we are, indeed, fearless. It is for this reason that I am inspired and excited to step into the unknown unfolding that is before our community.

And so, with a deep bow to the Taoist tradition, I close in honor and contemplation of Parker Palmer’s words:
Way closes. Way opens.