Introducing "Thumping"- A New (?) Contemplative Sport

Humans have been hanging around lakes, rivers, ponds and oceans for millennium. Waiting for something to bite, or just digesting the latest belly full of fresh oysters. It figures that these folks tossed rocks and pebbles into the water; the plop, the plash, the rings that roll silent, fading as they kiss the shore, or fade into the reflective sky.

I'm a water person, dream about water almost every night- so for me this is already home.

However, Human proclivity is pronounced in the species. Who knows how people saw these stones, this water painted sky, still here, in those moments? 

 I was wondering on that last week as I sat on the muddy banks of the Swannanoa river with Kim and my friend Ev. (We've been doing a lot of work with our 'instinctual' or belly center, relaxing down into it.) I threw one particular stone, and it just so happened to fall into the water on edge- like a diver. Instead of the usual 'splash', I heard a distinct, utterly beautiful and bell like 'Thump'. How can a 'thump' sound bell like?

Well, in this case it does, trust me.

As the 'Thump' rang 'down',  I noticed my belly center just reacted, it 'connected' through that sound, as that sound, it's clarity and depth.  In a good Thump, all the sound waves of the impact of stone on water focus into one note that simply goes down, instantly, like a shot, pulling you with it- viscerally connecting you with the Lower World as the shamans put it ; the river, the earth, the elements, rooting me in the anima mundi.  A flash. 

But that's only when you get it just right, on edge into the water. Which is a mediation in itself:  The Toss. Otherwise, the power of the impact of stone on water dissipates into a thousand random frequencies as the water bounces all over the place as a plash. Very nice, a classic even;  but wait until you feel a good 'thump' in your 'hara' as the Japanese called it. (BTW it's generally 3 inches below your belly button, 2 inches in).

Kim quickly started to master the technique: find the flattest, roundest stone and tossing it underhand with some spin so it comes down straight up and down, just like a diver. I've found that no matter how hard I try, I can't get a good Thump unless I'm truly relaxed, grounded, aware of my belly center, and then they just fall on edge- Thump!  An instant biofeedback machine. And when you're relaxed, the Thump is a deep pleasure indeed.

After a good Thump,  letting the ripples pull your awareness out into space as water reflects the sky as the circle spreads calm.  Try watching ripples intently as they spread, with eyes fixed to center- tuning into pheripheral vision wash.  Ahh. 

We found that finding the right rocks is also a medative, instinctual part of it, as is tuning in to the senses.  As you throw the stone, letting go of anticipation is the practice even as the stone is falling. When you get a good 'Thump' in the context of that openness, it's like your plugged in to infinity for a second, you are infinity for a second;  for just a second.

But it really is a fine second.

So, if you're that kind of person, give this a try. Late summer seems the best season for this!

BTW, here's a great site, high speed photography of water drops.  The above photo 'what look like a man laddy but as no man could ever as be'' above is a natural, untouched photo.  Perhaps a man, even The Dude himself,  a man- just a man- perplexed by the subtleties of  Eros found in Thumping- and forsaking bowling for some Winter's day.  Dig it.

http://www.liquidsculpture.com/fine_art/index.htm