"Take each and every step as if you were putting your life on the line. Mastering technique has never interested me for the simple reason that if I were to focus on skill, I'd instantly loose touch with the natural phenomenon." -Kazuo Ohno

Butoh practice often entails a temporary setting aside of your social persona. Sometimes even your entire life and way of being in the body must be released. Once empty and available in this way the butoh body can be "re-made" by immediate natural phenomenon and non-human objects. Many butoh teachers instruct students to become an object. It is an effective way to refocus attention so your everyday personality and body become invisible to reveal seldom seen layers beneath the mask. It is akin to shamanic possession actually, but rather than having a goal or purpose such as healing, it is done for awakening communion and making performance that moves (emotionally/spiritually) an audience.

Today's clear skies and gentle weather called me to Maxwelton Beach where I encountered a sandy shadow dappled area created by the barriers of fallen trees. While being protected it was also open to the vast ocean view and soothing sound of the waves. I was still feeling weak from yesterday's food poisoning so this beach cove was very inviting. I began by surrendering on the sand and soon found myself moved physically and emotionally by the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, temperatures and textures of the various objects I encountered. I was drawn to embrace and draw in the scent and solidity of the great roots I tasted the glistening aromatic sap oozing from its side. My body was drawn to caress the sand and my arms reached out toward the open sea of their own accord.