Written by Strained calf muscle, pushups and rain = harmony
Hmmm, another interpretation of three conflicts. Sunday AM while sparring I felt my calf muscle (right leg) start to seize up. By afternoon I felt a very deep throbbing and my calf was sore to the touch. I very much wanted to get out for a run, but knew my calf muscle needed rest.
Monday, I did not attend class as my calf muscle is still strained (and am hoping it is not a tear) and this in of itself, not attending class, was a challenge for me as I have a habit of pushing through such things but possibly causing even more damage to my injury. Before and during the regular class time I proceeded to do my pushups while it was absolutely pouring rain outside. In those moments I thought about the three conflicts (or battles, Sanchin) and that this situation was in some ways a parallel in respect to my body (earth), mind (heaven) and spirit (heart) being pulled by different forces and a means to unify my energy.
My body is suffering a minor issue in my calf muscle being strained which impedes some levels of my training and conditioning. However, my mind is focused on my using the other capacities I have that are NOT directly affected by my calf muscle strain…pushups! I proceeded to do 175 pushups over the course of an hour (sets of 25) AND listened to the falling rain outside, the smell of the rain permeating my very soul and spirit with a sense of invigoration and replenishment a good rain brings which lifted my spirit. I thought to myself that in some ways these three elements of focus, perspective and energy (strained calf muscle, pushups and the rain) were in harmony rather than conflict.