"How shall I say what happens inside my own head and heart when I'm out there balancing rocks? How shall I explain about the center of gravity, sensing it, feeling it, then adding it to the tower? How do I explain how the center of gravity of the tower changes with each rock added? How shall I explain how to balance two rocks on a third, finding the communal center of gravity?
How shall I explain how balancing rocks and balancing cultures isn't really that different? What should I say about the effect of watching a beautiful tower fall, then just getting back down on the ground and building it back up again, this time a little differently, hoping for a more secure balance? What parallels can I see between towers and political systems when it becomes apparent that some rocks really and truly don't work well as foundation pieces, but can find a place to reside elsewhere in the tower?
I think I won't. You do it. While you're sitting in the grass, or dirt, or sand, carefully assessing each rock, keep your concerns forward in your head. Politics, economics, health, personal relationships, whatever it is that grabs your attention, continue to think about them while you're balancing rocks. I'm not going to get weird on you and tell you the rocks talk about finding communal balance. Of course they don't. Rocks don't have vocal chords, but."
- Learner Pat Denino
