Jacob’s mother Jo-Ann shared this work with me during the week I spent with her, Derrill (Jacob’s Daddy) and Jacob on Martha’s Vineyard. It was revelatory. Phoebe Caldwell has developed Intensive Interaction, which seems connected to what I was doing with Jacob, but takes it farther, deeper. Phoebe’s fearlessness, instinct and joy are exquisite to watch.
My sense all week was that I was de-coding Jacob’s language, and that even though it is the language of movement, I could not parse it, except in snippets. Even though I consider myself a pretty good observer/listener, I was missing a lot. What I learned watching Phoebe was the quality of pleasure and enthusiasm that she and the other teachers bring to their work. I was trying too hard, not enjoying Jacob enough, efforting too much. Anat Baniel talks about enthusiasm as one of the nine essentials of learning. Here is what she says about enthusiasm:
Enthusiasm is self-generated; it is a skill you can develop, choose to do and become good at. Enthusiasm tells your brain what is important to you, amplifying whatever that is, making it stand out, infusing it with energy to grow more. Enthusiasm is a powerful energy that lifts you and inspires you and others. It lights up your brain, helping to usher in changes, transforming the most mundane situation or task, adding meaning and generating delight. Enthusiasm helps make the impossible possible.
Enthusiasm is different from diligence, persistence or even love. It is the thing that lights up the work, keeps you breathing, that allows a savoring pleasure in the moment. The other thing that I saw in the videos of Phoebe was the sense of taking time, of waiting, and watching, but staying engaged, but in a softer way than I was experiencing with Jacob. In mirroring/reflecting him, I sometimes lost my ability to relax and breathe. Thank you Jacob, for everything you have taught me in the past week! I can’t wait for more!
