The art of brooming
Sara Martine Serrano
The other day I had a revelation while walking on the small paths in the bamboo forest. I past one of the little huts, that you can find so often along theses paths.
I saw an old man, brooming in front of his house. The path was covered with bamboo leafs.
As soon as I saw him, I suddenly understood!
I understood why at the Peaceful Bamboo Family we spend so much time brooming. Brooming the courtyards, the alleys, the terrace, even when the wind is blowing and all you seem to do is transporting the dust and the leafs from in front of you to behind and besides you!.
Yes I understood that a broom in Vietnam is not just a broom, it is not just a simple cleaning material. No!
You have well understood that the little path through the bamboo forest is quite immediately again covered with leafs, only shortly after someone has broomed it.
The broom in Vietnam is an ART. But not just any art! My big revelation makes me believe the Art of Brooming is the ancestor of the Art of Tai Chi!
You do not believe me?
Try and practice for yourself diligently, may be one day you will have the same revelation than me.
For my friends in Camphill Perceval, just imagine, we spend more time brooming here than behind the screens of our computers! Just imagine!
But we do this for our good here…..
The Art of Brooming is therapeutic, especially when you broom outside and it is a windy day.
Just relax, follow the movements of your entire body.
Follow every single stroke with grace and with your breathing.
I know it s not easy. Grace is not a very promoted attitude in the modern world.
The Art of Booming is HEALING :
It is very effective against stress, anxiety, depression and other ailments.
It can be of great help for people suffering from too melancholic or choleric temperament.
But it is rather not suitable for people with sanguine temperament or people suffering from asthma, as they could develop some allergies to dust.
And or those of you who are passionate, beyond therapy there is art:
Just look for yourself: our great art piece, brooming the attic.
But do not be discouraged, it needs time and a lot of practice to attain this level of perfection.
The inventors of vacuum cleaners could one day be judged for crimes against humanity for not allowing many generations of modern societies to learn this wonderful and therapeutic art.
By the way, do not just believe me, try for yourself!
When you are tired, nervous, when you lack motivation, broom in front of your doorsteps. You will see how good it feels.