Discovering Inner Peace: Lessons Learned from Kids at the Bouldering Gym
One of the things I love the most about bouldering (a form of rock climbing) is that it serves as a meditation practice for me while also allowing me to move my body and use my flexibility, stability, and strength. When I am bouldering my monkey mind shuts down providing a state of presence and peace.
This was quickly disrupted the other day when a bunch of kids were in the bouldering gym for a class. They were running around, laughing, having a good time, climbing, falling, yelling and screaming. Really just being kids.
When I saw them there it really bothered me. I started to tell myself stories about how dangerous and annoying they are.
‘What if I fell on them and hurt both of us?’
‘Why are the employees letting them run around everywhere?’
‘Can’t they be quiet?’
Now I realize I can’t control what the kids do I can control how I react to them, so I got to the point where I considered checking when the kid’s classes were so I wouldn’t be in the gym at the same time.
But then I decided to look within. Many times when someone or something is bothering us, it is a reflection of something that we don’t like in ourselves or something that we were domesticated to think.
And what became present to me is that the reason why these kids were making me upset is because I WAS THAT KID!
My family to this day talks about how rowdy and rambunctious I was as a kid. Full of energy, wonder, and excitement. They didn’t know what to do with me!
Then something happened and I lost it. I am still not sure to this day what it was but when I reflect it feels like a piece of me is missing or hidden somewhere deep inside of me. I could feel being told not “be that kid” and to “be a good boy”.
Wow! Once I came to this realization, I now don’t get upset when I come across these little wondrous humans that we call kids.
I show them love and think about me as that little boy. Running around full of life and energy.
At a certain point, we are all domesticated into “fitting in” and “doing what you are supposed to do”. This leads to so much stress and anxiety in our society.
Trying to be someone else.
If you are looking to really see what it is like to be your true self, watch how kids experience life. Watch their joy, wonder, and amazement.
They are great examples for us all to find a piece of our true self.