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.