The Zen Of Clamming, Active Meditation

        The other day I decided to go clamming. I had been putting this activity off, even though it is one that I enjoy, only because there have been newer activities I wanted to do, like sailing. The battle between gastronomic pleasure and free spirit continued for a while but on this day, even though it was a good day for sailing, gustatory pleasure won out. So off I went, down the road to my favorite clamming spot. Now when it comes to how I clam I would have to describe it as, Old School. Bucket, tire tube, rope and my bare feet. I enjoy clamming this way. It is the way father taught me as a kid and it is the way I have taught my son. I also like clamming this way because it minimizes greed. Many people when clamming for personal reasons do so with a rake. I have seen these rakes getting bigger and bigger every year. The rakes yield more clams and as with many acquisition activities, the more one gets the more one wants. So, for me, by clamming the way I do, searching with my feet scrapping along the bottom and digging each and every clam with my foot, I am preserving a family tradition as well as doing my part in preserving the clam population. After all, when I come back next year I want there to be clams.  This method of mine is also good exercise for my legs and tires me out within a couple of hours which also limits how many clams I end up with. There is one other important, personal reason why I enjoy clamming in this manner and that is, it requires a great amount of focusing to get a clam. In order to get a clam I have to carefully scrape the bottom of the sea so as not to cut my feet on shells and other objects lying about. Then, when I feel an object I have to determine whether or not it is a clam and not a rock. I do this by feeling around with my toes for shape and texture. Finally, once I determine that it is a clam, the digging with my toes begins. Now I am right side dominant so most of the effort is done with my right foot. However, I have been using my left foot more often in the past few year as it slows me down and brings my attention more into the activity. Some times the digging is easy but often it is not. Once most of the sand is moved away, which if not done fast enough will come right back, it's time for me to to use my toes to start wedging the clam out. Though little clams are not that difficult, those commonly known as Little Necks, the larger ones, Cherry stones and Quahogs present with great resistance.  Pushing at an upward angle with a lot of force eventually releases the lock the clam has to the sea bed. Here is where it gets tricky. But before I tell you why let me say add that If the tide is high, which it was on this day, most of my body is in the water. Often up to my chin. As a result, I am constantly working against buoyancy. I have learned over the years to try to maintain my toes curled under the clam during the non pushing stage so as to keep my foot from floating upward. As I said, once the clam is released it gets tricky. This is because now I have to ease the clam on to the top of my right foot with my left foot and place it  just right so I can then lift my foot up without the clam falling off. Current and keeping very steady are variables which I always have to be conscious of. I then lift my foot with the clam on top high enough until I can grab it with my extended right arm and hand. My foot is usually about waste high when it meets my hand and then, "Got Ya" I say to myself with a smile. The complete act from when identifying a clam until it is in my hand can be anywhere between 1  minute and 5. If it is more than 5, I stop, bow to the clam and move on.
      This personal preference for clamming, which usually lasts about two hours, is probably one of the most satisfying meditation experience's I can engage in. To be acutely focused for this length of time rids my mind entirely of all other thoughts. Being almost completely submersed in water, yet buoyant, brings about tactile sensory deprivation which enhances the experience. Finally, there is the repetition that is so important to meditation. Throughout my life, since my early teen years, I have engaged in passive, resting still, meditation. This has been helpful during times of school, work or home related stress.  Even though I don't try to rid my mind of thoughts, they still come in and so most of the time, passive meditation is good  for about 10 to 15 minutes for me .

      I have come to calling meditations such as clamming, "Active Meditation." Active meditation seems to work better for me. While talking with a good friend on the telephone not long ago I had mentioned that I find certain activities more meditative than passive meditation and, upon hearing this he expressed that he too finds this true for himself. I am sure that there are many more people who have found active mediation to be better for them and I am happy I am not alone.

Betta Change?

Say hello to Sigmund Too. He is a Betta Fish, otherwise known as a “Siamese Fighting Fish.” These colorful, flowing fins and tail fish are decedents of less elaborate looking fish that live in the rice paddies of Thailand and Cambodia. The males are aggressive and if two are put in a tank together they will fight to the death. Females are said to not be aggressive although people have reported that they have seen the females fight with other females. I’m not big on the fighting thing so I only have one. Bettas live 2-4 years. I acquired Sigmund Too about a year ago after the first Sigmund died and an appropriate period of morning passed. He was a pet and as with any pet, they become part of the family. Sigmund Too lives in the same bowl as Sigmund did with the same gravel. His bowl has a plastic plant because, when I got him, his little plastic box tank came with a small tree and he liked lying under it. As Sigmund Too grew, he no longer could fit under it and my wife felt bad for him. So I put a fake plant in and he seems to enjoy it. Often times I will catch him resting or sleeping on the leaves. It’s not a big bowl but he seems to enjoy the small space and he hasn’t displayed any behaviors that would suggest discontent. Aside from the colors and the flowing fins I like that Sigmund Too responds when I come near the bowl. He quickly swims to the top and waits for food. Although this is most likely basic conditioning, it is a behavior that usually does not occur with other fresh water tank fish. As anyone who has ever had freshwater fish in a tank knows, the fish don’t even know you have your face up to the glass. Mostly, they just swim back and forth and eat the food placed in the tank as it magically floats down past them. I tend to lean towards the intelligent life forms. Sigmund Too’s tank does not have, or require a filter for the water. All that is necessary is to change two thirds of the water once a month and wash the gravel and plant. Low maintenance. Something else I like about Betta Fish. As I said earlier, Sigmund Too came after the first Sigmund. It is very important to the survival of these fish that when cleaning the bowl and changing the water that a third of the water they have been living in remains. It seems that there are necessary bacteria in the old water that the fish requires. Bacteria? We were always told it was bad. I think what might have led to the first Sigmund’s premature demise is that I did not leave enough of the old water in on the last water change. So this change protocol is extremely vital to the Betta’s survival.
     Both Sigmund’s have kept me very conscious of how necessary change is and that it can be a good thing. Changing ones surroundings, environment and the way one does things can bring about feelings of refreshment, renewal and awareness. I have also seen how growth, good growth, can come from change. What I have also become more aware of is that drastic change is not always a good thing. It is risky. It reduces the chances of survival. Keeping some of the old when making a change brings about a level of comfort that reduces stress and makes the change more tolerable. When people change their residence they usually bring much of the furniture from the previous house. When people change jobs they pack up the items from their desk or locker or wall and bring them to their new job.
     Recently I retired from my job. Being aware that retirement can be a very stressful change I have made an effort to reduce that stress by keeping up with the literature, consulting with people about their school age children and remaining in contact with many of the people I worked with. This plan seems to be working because, so far I have been enjoying myself and welcoming the changes that have come so far with retirement.
So, while I continue to change the water in Sigmund Too’s bowl, I am always conscious of the, Water Change Protocol.

My Little Chickadee

So, Here is a Chickadee that came to feed at my newest bird feeder. What I enjoy about Chickadees is that they have paradoxical behavior. Unlike most other birds, that flee with the slightest sound or presence of people, Chickadees will come close to you. I have even been told that you can get them to eat food from your hand. I have tried this but I need to do it consistently in order to get them to trust me. If you don't have a bird feeder I urge you to get one. Bringing birds to your yard can be very enlightening, as well as calming. You will feel better and of course, so will the birds.