Since I coined this term, I never hesitate to share what I consider my ‘translations for understanding”. My thoughts are always evolving too so “Deep Neutral” is also in process as I come to understand it deeper. Alexander Technique is chocked full of jargon that needs explicating. This is normal of any discipline. In the coming weeks I plan to clarify as many terms that I can think of.
But first things first:
Deep Neutral is,…
An updated term for what Alexander termed “Inhibition”, with a little more insight and gravitas brought to what is essential, and a common part of the process that can be misunderstood.
A place not too deep within us, but runs quiet and therefore, takes tuning into.
A calm but thorough observation and nothing more.
A slowing down of perception of time, because you are staying hyper-aware before, during and after an action while suspending definition or affiliation.
Hanging in readiness, without much caring or anxiety.
If meditation includes open-eyed reasoning through processes, then yes, we are meditating.
A peace reflected in our lack of perturbation.
An antidote to short-sighted assessment of anything that limits thought or action.
Honing in on the center of your being.
I had a lesson every Sunday with the great Bob Britton when I started this work. If I had a headache or worries, I’d notice that afterwards, my concerns would be lessened indirectly. For an hour, the teacher would focus on where my body wanted to be (free of tension), and so my mind would follow suit. I’d have concerns. But they weighed less.
One time I remember while teaching a nice man with a lot of “anticipatory tension”, getting to an unexpected place. Even while lying on a table, he would not let his limbs be relaxed even after repeated gentle teasing out. It seemed he wasn’t aware of it. It did not feel effective to point it out directly as a flaw, so I tried an indirect approach. We left the table, stood up and I tried to show with my hands as support, how little effort was needed for standing.
On a whim, as we stood still, I just started to narrate the ongoing experience of “inhibiting” and of watching impulses pass, thoughts pass and time pass but with a detached view and how there was nothing to do but watch. He let go of a lot of what he normally carried, because he was encouraged to think in a more suspended way. It was deep and it was neutral!
And on it goes. He eventually tensed up again most likely, very much like I did after my first lessons, but I know he had this experience that can shimmer in the depths for a few moments.