I love to people watch. I believe most of us love to watch others especially in special and unique situations where behavior has not yet been learned, observed or experienced. We feel comfortable when we know the acceptable social decorum. There is no question as to what is appropriate, what is borderline, and what is outside of social norm for either comic relief, to be obnoxious, to make a point or just because we have a clueless or misrepresentative moment.

Today was one of those days. I attend a series of meditations at the Rothko Chapel where the regulars are used to a certain seating arrangement where all benches face the north side of the structure. I walked in and was intrigued as to why the benches were arranged into four squares with a podium still on the north side of the building.

So I sit facing the inside of one of these squares and it occurs to me: I am being forced to look straight into a complete stranger: awkward. Do we chat? No one else is. Do you look down? Well, I am not timid. Do I close my eyes? I am not tired or ready to embrace my inner peace. Eureka! I am going to people watch and see what others body language is as they enter the space and attempt to unravel this perplexing dilemma.

The facial expressions are priceless. The society ladies with the big southern hats were the most interesting, acting as if the whole thing was humorous, obviously covering up the weirdness. Others paused and contemplated and calculated their next move. Some left. Some in my square were looking and sitting in, others out in a completely unpredictable pattern. I noticed however, that I was in the popular square, we had more people than others. I felt accepted with a sense of unexplainable and groundless accomplishment, like being one of the first people picked in elementary schools sports.

I noticed the lady sitting next to me. I discovered later she was Italian. She wore a bright orange dress, hideous gold sparkly sandals, imposing bright blue eye shadow and prostitute red lipstick resembling Mimi from the Drew Carey Show. The guy across from me was punkesque with a rather large mohawk, fabulous shiny earrings, and a chain that joined his belt with his cut off and holly of jean shorts. Then there was me with my day off outfit: gym shorts, a stripped polo and extremely worn and somewhat aromatic New Balance running shoes. An interesting mix of personalities and styles.

The meditation was thoughtful. After dividing the groups, we were all given little fortune cookie like papers containing a proverb. Half of us were sitting down in this square, eyes closed, the other were standing behind. Those standing had to have their hands on the shoulders of those sitting, whisper the proverb directly into the persons ear slowly, then orbit around the group. The trick was to always have a hand touching the person sitting down even during transitions.

The experience was truly unexpected and intense. People were transformed into a large entourage of out-worldly beings for you and delivering deep, positive and beautiful affirmations. Amidst the messages, the touch became the most important differentiating factor. Warm, secure, sheltered, and permissive, you were allowed to receive, believe, internalize and commit to the message. The firmer the touch, the stronger and clearer the message.

Touching is a sensitive subject and physical space needs to be respected among strangers. In this case, all the social taboos were abolished for a brief time. And it was lovely.

http://www.rothkochapel.org/