CONNECTIONS

 Connecting Indigenous Art and Qi Gong

Recently Tulip embarked on another sunny day cycle around the many magnificent cycling paths of the community of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia. As she slowly pressed on the pedals just hard enough to keep the bicycle upright and balanced, she got to thinking about just that — upright and balanced: exactly how life has become.

A few years ago, while enjoying her home away from home, on an Island in the southern most point of the main body of the Caribbean Sea, she was introduced to something very new, new to her; some would say “off the grid” new — especially for her.

It was around a time when her work life was crazy, and crazy busy. In retrospect, she was heading down a downward spiral, when the greatest job on earth only existed in a bubble — until an election was called, piercing the bubble and blowing everything away except an amazing severance package. Off to Aruba she flew and took a giant leap forward, out of her comfort zone, tried something new and has never looked back.

Tulip was introduced to the meditative ancient art of qi gong, a Chinese system of physical and mental exercises, and breathing control related to tai chi — a form of Yoga that draws in the power of nature, and opens up one’s inner thoughts, feelings and wisdom that are often ignored, overlooked and undervalued.

Sessions of qi gong during visits to Aruba have unleashed the realization of inner energy fields that help put life into perspective, and bring out the tremendous power of peace to one’s mind, body and soul. Work and people have their roles in life, but they mask or hinder optimum inner health. 

Paying attention to, and understanding one’s inner self, through meditation or quiet thinking, helps people understand their relationship with themselves, and their relationships with others better. It also helps them to adjust and adapt their routines and habits along the way — this truly is the greatest gift to receive from one’s self, and a bonus gift Tulip gives herself every single trip to her home away from home, in the always sunny and always warm, peaceful feeling that Aruba radiates. 

When one lives in a very busy urban area, it is nearly impossible to find time or outdoor places for effective peaceful meditation. Tulip has found much solace while cycling, at her own pace, along the dykeways surrounding her community, slowly breathing in fresh air through the nose and out through the mouth, connecting with nature, and creating her own aura of peace.

On this particular sunny Spring day, her cycling journey brought her to the brand new exhibit at the Pitt Meadows Art Gallery. A local indigenous artist and motivational speaker named Rain Pierre, a proud member of the Katzie First Nation, was granted the entire gallery to introduce his incredible work to the world. His work and the music that plays subtly in the background, awakens the senses and creates an ambiance of calm and inner peace. His work is beautiful and mesmerizing. Some of his mottos are “Be who you want to be” and “stop looking over your shoulder”. “Draw strength from your inner voice, dream big and move forward.”

Rain’s life has been a journey, a difficult personal journey that has led him to this amazing spot or place or destiny. He discovered his inner voice and developed an incredible outcome, through artistic expression, from which peace and harmony radiates. 

Tulip stares at any one of his pieces; they easily draw her in much like the magic of qi gong, connecting her to her inner voice and her inner energy, guiding her, helping her, strengthening her and bringing her to actually feeling the connective power of peace from nature, water, mountains, trees, sacred animals, cultural traditions,  actual friends, and supportive family, all the while comfortably embracing her life — all the good it has to offer and all the good she gives to it.

Feeling upright and balanced, and connected, Tulip leaves the exhibit, hops back on her bicycle, upright, balanced and connected, smiling and laughing with joy — life truly is much better than a box of chocolates! Much, much better. “Make it a beautiful ride,” she says.

https://www.rainawakens.com/works