Brewed Beverage of Choice: A hot cup of Yerba Mate (10 Days since giving up Coffee…)
A while back I decided to streamline the brewery operations in my little roadhouse brewery. What resulted was not a faster, more efficient way of doing things. The brewery and I felt rushed, disjointed, askew. The other morning while on the train to work I had a moment of satori, an epiphany if you will. My streamlining disrupted the natural balance of the brewery.
It may seem strange to some to think that we could have a relationship with something such as a brewery. Many of the East Asian philosophies, Confucianism included, believe that the universe is made up of a plethora of these relationships. If I am not mistaken, this natural order is called Tao. Native Americans have a similar deep relationship between the tribe and the natural world. If you care to read about their relationship pick up a copy of God is Red by Vine Deloria, Jr.
In Confucianism one must rectify these relationships. They must study them. They must respect them. It is through this knowledge and practice of benevolence, or jen, that order and balance in life is maintained. I have always found this practice intriguing and at one time hoped to use it to teach Lindy Hop.
The Lindy Hop is a form of partner swing dancing that at its finest is fun, elegant and natural. Because it is a partner dance I believe it follows these same rules of relationships. The mistake though is to believe it is just a relationship between a lead and a follow. There is also a strong relationship between the dancer and the floor, between the dancer and the music, and between the dancer and the couples around them. Any disruption of these balances can cause chaos. But, when all the balances are in complete harmony a couple doing Lindy are beautiful to watch.
When I did teach, students would ask where I learned a lot of my fundamentals and movement. I found this question humourous because a lot of my dance comes not from the study of swing dancing and swing music. Most of my skills come from playing basketball, baseball, and even bowling. Yep! Bowling! But I also used what I learned as a physics major in regards to basic fundamental principles of fluidity and the laws of motion. Little of my dance is actually the art of dancing. It is more subtle athleticism and the knowledge of the basics.
And now with my eyes re-opened to these relationships, the balance of the brewery has been restored. My day to day operations may not be quick and easy. But they are efficient and in harmony. I respect my brewery more. Thankfully, she has forgiven me for the disruption.
Prost!
the confucian brewer