The Meditative Power of Balancing Rocks [PICS]

Michael Grab is a veteran at doing the “impossible.”

[Editor’s note: After first posting about Gravity Glue here, I was so inspired by the video that I headed out to a creek days later and tried rock balancing myself. It’s strangely addictive and very internal. Everything else becomes still and the focus is intense. When I’d snap out of it, I had the same feeling I get after a session of yoga or meditation. I recommend the next time you find yourself with the opportunity, to take advantage. – Carlo Alcos]

I BALANCE ROCKS for a number of reasons. My initial attraction was the good feeling it gave me; the meditative aspect is relaxing. That is the fundamental basis for my continued practice. As I did it more, I noticed that small crowds would start gathering to watch.

There is a mutual creation that begins once people are watching. What I do next is often influenced by spectators. It’s almost as if they feed off the energy surrounding the gardens, but simultaneously my creative flow feeds off of people’s interest in the activity.

It’s also a great way to spend time without consuming, the excess of which I believe to be the basis of many of the economic troubles facing this country and the world. The practice is something very spiritual to me. It has turned into a relationship with the Earth. If the wind blows them over, I view that as the Earth’s will, though most of the time I think she welcomes the practice for the effect it has on people that see it.

I sometimes like to think that the gravitational threads keeping the rocks in balance are beacons that radiate and collect positive energy to and from people, into Mother Earth. Perhaps that theory might be a bit farfetched. Who knows…

I’ve been doing this about four years now, mostly in Boulder Creek during the summers. I’ve also started my own “rock garden” in my backyard. Perhaps it can be classified as an addiction? The biggest challenge I face when balancing rocks is overcoming the will to stop. Some of the balance points are rather challenging and can take a mental and physical toll on the body to the point where my mind tells me to stop.

I approach this challenge with what i believe is a yoga technique where one “leans” into the discomfort by exercising mind over matter. Ultimately, I have the choice whether I stop or not. A balance point is very rarely, if at all, impossible; patience, discipline, and stamina are required.

When looking at these, the mind often tries its hardest to tell you this impossible, but the eyes contradict the mind.