It's a Thai national 'thing', this sweeping of temples, streets, houses and footpaths when it is barely light. You see it everywhere across Thailand in the early mornings, in the villages and big cities, and most often done with one arm politely held behind one's back, as if one is in service and might be sweeping for Royalty. And, indeed, one is, because one is ultimately sweeping for oneself and Mother Earth.
Despite 16 years here, lots of traditional, local and mountain village time and speaking Thai pretty well, I have never really understood the sweeping culture. Until recently when we moved to this old traditional Thai teak house on the edge of the rice fields here in Mae Rim, on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. We basically have no glass, so when you wake early (and Thai villages are NOISY so everyone wakes early!) you wander downstairs and immediately open up the teak bi-fold doors (which take up most of one side of the house) and the shutters to let the cool morning breezes through. The cross-draft is lovely, fresh and heady, heralding newness and movement. But it also brings in the accumulated dust from the tiled area immediately in front of the house where much of our living happens. So while the kettle boils and the local chickens are announcing the new day to the world, one simply grabs a broom.
My meditation starts here, since we only use hand-made, local brooms that the farmers make in the off season. Made from twigs and grasses.
Normally my indoor broom has a simpler bamboo handle and no plastic bits, but this one was gifted to us by our new landlady and we will use it with gratitude till it wears out. And then go back to our preferred bamboo-handled one.
And so as I sweep, I contemplate the farmers sitting inside humble homes while the heavy rains tumble onto their rice, vegetables and fruit trees, using the twigs and grasses they have prudently cut and stored in the dry season. I think about their industry, send them blessings and give thanks for their desire to feed and care for their families. My own daughter's Thai grandfather used to make these brooms each season to supplement the family income. I remember him each day and the man that he was, when I think about the broom. I look down at what I am sweeping and give thanks that my life actually includes a multitude of fallen frangipani blossoms, day in, day out.
And that each day there are new blossoms and that one never has to mourn what is past its time. I sweep it up and take it around to the compost, and I reflect on the new life that is nourished by endings and decay.
By the time I make my pot of early morning moringa tea, I feel like I have been to the temple, yet 'all' I have done is swept up outside.
Finding this place of eco-connected spirituality inside is the fire and food we need to SUSTAIN our service of Mother Earth. To start from a place of daily responsibility for our own little part. To be mindful of our tools and the farmers who make them and who feed us. To keep ourselves engaged personally from a place other than mind and external triggers. It's too easy to be a crusader and to preach it 'out there'. Problem with that is that crusaders burn out easily and preaching just turns people off. The simple daily beginnings ARE important.
Leading by example matters, even when no one is looking. And finding that soft place inside from which it is a simple pleasure to be and remain engaged. That soft, simple place feels so nice and that feeling easily draws others. Finding more of that in each day renews and inspires ourselves most, and ultimately THAT is the seed from which everything else must and will spring.
Be Your Own Guru. :)
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This is a really good, active meditation. Useful, even it seems there are no any garbage, dry leaves. It's a cleaning for the human soul, bringing people to the present, calming emotions, bringing peace. For me, working in the garden - watering, removing weeds - has the same function, after i do my Tibetian yoga excersizes in the morning. ☘️🍓🌷
Are you spinning? <3
Oh, yes, hahaha 😀 and sometimes i have a vertigo!
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Gratitude.
Yes. Beautiful share and reminder to visit that temple every day. Even a few moments of introspection and appreciation. Much love 🙏🏻
I think I see you and Jamie at that same temple rather often. :) Little Kai is a lucky guy to have you both.
I find sweeping meditation so fascinating...and it seems like a simple yet profound ritual that combines the practical with something extra special that also nurtures the soul. You have such an illustrative way with words that I found myself clearly imagining the sights...sounds and scents of the beauty around you. Thank you so much for sharing! <3
Also stopping by to say that you have been featured and curated for MSP Community Curation: Top Five 'Positive PAL Posts' - Week #18
https://steemit.com/community/@creativesoul/msp-community-curation-top-five-positive-pal-posts-week-18
Thank you @Creativesoul for kind words and wonderful curation. So much appreciated by this newbie to steem. Following both you and @MSPcuration and happy to have already discovered some other wonderful content through you. Gratitude for the way you serve and grow the community. :)
I love cleaning and tidying up and it makes me think clear. I don’t like to use any machines when I clean, old fashioned way is better.
Wow Nathan - that was a seriously nice upvote!! Gratitude. I enjoy writing about my life here in Thailand - happy that you liked. :) Following you. :)
Love this post, everything can be (and is) a meditation in my opinion.
Thank you! Even the way we choose to u[vote and comment on another's creation can be a powerful meditation. :) Gratitude and following you from Chiang Mai, Thailand. :)
Oh, I wish I knew this when I was in Thailand.
But even though I didn't, I found sweeping kind of relaxing. :D
Come and say Hi next time you are in Chiang Mai. :)
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Much gratitude for the resteems @kalemandra and @samstonehill :)