In Sync with Saigon

The perpetually forward-moving chi of Ho Chi Minh City

An old girlfriend of mine used to comment on what she (a yoga enthusiast) called my “forward-moving chi.” In other words, my tendency not to get to rest, let alone remain there.

She was, in her own estimation, much more calm.

I am an energetic cat, for sure. Not as energetic as I’d like sometimes, but then, wouldn’t that just be so me?

Sometimes I move so quickly, say from a seated, or even crouched, position – that is, I stand up – so fast that the blood can’t keep up, and I nearly black out, briefly. I’ve never fallen over, but it’s not a pleasant sensation in any event. The fact that I have normal blood pressure is good, but yeah, I get it: Slow the F down, man.

In terms of environment, I’m not one to be drawn to quiet, reflective spaces, though I do like a good massage or even occasional meditation. I like churches. Hell, five or six years ago, I did a ten-day silent mediation retreat with no talking, reading, writing or other communication. For ten days. Yeah, it made me a little…