One of the great concepts I’m learning while taking the Core Zero Balancing class is that of “meeting the other person’s donkey” in a manner of speaking. This concept is taken from an image of two donkeys. Many times while at rest, donkeys will lean against one another, evenly distributing their weight to create a balanced lean together. This is one of the core concepts of Zero Balancing, one that can be applied to life.

In Zero Balancing, one “meets the donkey” of the other person. The energy of the practitioner meets the energy of the other person. Each has separate energy, but they meet together to equally lean against one another. While stretching and lifting “fulcrum points” our hands must meet at that energetic point – the “donkey”, and then lift in a way that is comfortable for the client.

Another concept beyond the “donkey” is that of being “in the box.” “Being in the box” means that the quality of touch, lift, or stretch within the fulcrums is within the tolerance level for the client. If you don’t “reach the box” your client feels very little lift, stretch, or benefit. If you go “beyond the box” you begin causing pain, discomfort, or possibly injury.

We experimented with these concepts today by leaning against one another, back to back in pairs to experience a “donkey lean” and practiced “getting in the box” with a partner while holding opposite sides of a rope. When the rope was pulled in a straight line, we were “meeting the donkey.” As we pulled more on the rope we felt the tightening “in the box” feeling, as well as the feeling of being overpowered “beyond the box.”

After these activities, I commented that these activities and concepts could also be wonderful metaphors for healthy communication and conflict resolution. How many times do we feel as if a person is not listening or communicating equally – meeting our “donkey”? How often do we feel overpowered within a conflict (going beyond “the box” of our comfort zones)? Who would have thought that donkeys and boxes would be so intriguing?

The Zero Balancing Society requires 100 hours of training as well as mentored practical experience to become a Certified Zero Balancing Practitioner. David, our instructor, has really been encouraging us to continue with our studies and become certified. I’ll admit that I’m somewhat resistant. I think that naturally, I’m an “integrator”, and that I find ways to meld my learning into a greater whole. I also feel that we as people and individuals aren’t very well served by certificates, diplomas, degrees, etc. In my opinion they separate us from one another. They create divisions. One person is the “expert” while another is “lesser.”

The work of Zero Balancing is intriguing to me, however. I am keeping an open mind regarding future classes and certification possibilities.