sandiegopets

Lately I’ve been training the koi in our pond to eat out of my hand. It’s a slow process and I’m beginning to learn why koi ponds have some correlation with Zen understanding.

I start with a little food that I scatter around, then hold my hand in the water so the fish get used to my scent. At first they were skittish, but little by little they are coming around. The smaller ones are more nervous than the larger ones. Although they haven’t reached the point of eating out of my hand, they will come up to the surface and let me stroke them. Some people might not find petting a fish appealing, but I enjoy the communication I’ve developed with these sleek, graceful creatures.

Two of them are especially friendly–either that or they’re the ones who like to eat the most! One is pure gold. The other gold and black.

And as always, when communicating with a non-human creature, they teach me about myself. From the koi I’m learning patience and to be quiet. When you sit still with your hand in cool water, you feel at peace with yourself and the world. This is the way I would like to live my life. Quietly and observing everything.