“What do you get from being an organizer?” 

The question came from many, curious, puzzled.  “We know what we get as students in a class, but what is it for you?”

Hmmm…I wonder.  What do I get from it?  The words start to form in my mind…”I am given the opportunity to experience the Truth of Jin Shin Jyutsu in forms that would not otherwise be available to me.”  But what does that mean?  I am from a family of storytellers.  Perhaps a story may illustrate…a story from within the flow of thought…rising through experience – A story of the power of effortless endings:

All that has come before is past. 
The thought – who, where, what would be perfect for those here who love this Art? 
The planning – an invitation sent, an acceptance received. 
The actions of preparation – finding the venue, processing, recording details of students to come – administrative matters necessary whenever there is to be a gathering.  
The elements of foundation complete, all that lies behind me.  The day of the class arrives.  All begins.

The gathering happens, the class forms, develops, each day building, creating, experience upon experience.  Each student bringing their own energy.  Each student having their own individual insights.  Every now and then “Ah ha” expressed through voice or body language, a look in the eyes, a drop of the shoulders.  For me, the organizer – observing, listening, I enter and leave the room again and again to the unique vibration that is the class.  Drawn away by the commonplace tasks, the myriad functions of being organizer, drawn back again by desire to be with this class. 

The last day comes, so soon.  Too soon?  Early in the day, an announcement – “any extra hands available at the end of the day will be greatly appreciated.”  Desks and chairs will need to be put away, tables taken down and carried to cars.  The paraphernalia that brought ease, comfort to us for these days, will all need to be dismantled, removed, packed away.  A thought put out to the room, to those who have come together to BE together. 

The class comes to a close.  Was it instinct, intuition, divine guidance? We are asked to join in a moment of nine exhalations to mark the ending.  Now students stand around taking time to speak with each other.  I move to begin taking down the flip-charts.  Simple, unhurried, mundane, ordinary activity while others are still standing.   “Do we need to remind them about helping?” comes the question from another.  “No, they know” I hear myself reply, surprised at the ease and certitude of my response, “no hurry”. 

It starts as a faint buzz, a slight shift in vibration behind me.  Continuing to listen to the rhythm of the class I am occupied with my mundane task.  The vibration intensifies and then there is the movement – the movement of many acting as one.  I step aside, point the way, and with an effortless speed that defies the senses, the desks are being folded, chairs stacked, tables taken down, bags packed, each item shifted to waiting cars as soon as they are ready. 

A class of 48 dissolved into the emptiness from which it was formed, in less than 20 minutes.  A pervading sense of amazement within my self – the building was empty.  The parking lot – empty.   The space – peaceful, serene.  No-Thing remained.  

Only I was left with the question hanging in the air – “What is this class for you as organiser?” 

Perhaps in its ending, an answer – “an unforgettable demonstration of how – if we can but let the ending stand on the foundation of the fullness that IT IS, if we can but let “9” gather without limitation – then the breaking down happens with astonishing speed – a speed that is beyond imagining.  It happens with consummate ease.  “9” – that is the basis of foundation, the great gathering, the completion.  “9” that can, if we let it, return us to the No Thing to begin anew.” 

Where but from this perspective of organiser would my awareness be so heightened as to allow me to witness such power? – the power of the abstraction of a number made manifest in the world. 

And in the perfection of all things, I discover long after the class that the total number of days was 9 – a 5-day class, 2 days between, a 2-day special topic class.  And I, of course – I am given an unforgettable experience of 9.