What if the stars moved? Life lessons from ancient navigators
Of all the feats of mastery told in Robert Green’s book of the same name, my favourite are those of the Caroline Islanders – the indigenous people of the area now known as Oceania.
They lived across numerous islands in a vast area of ocean, and despite living 1,500 years ago, with stone age technology, completed perhaps the most remarkable feats of human navigation at sea. This includes navigating several thousand miles across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii and perhaps even voyaging as far as parts of North and South America.
To put this in context – how’d do you like to row/sail across the Pacific in a tiny little boat, with no charts or instruments?
Herb Kane, “Wa’a Serik of Caroline Islands” (C39). Copyright Herbert K. Kane, LLC
How did they do it?
The distance alone is incredible. The fact that that they did it with no charts and instruments epic. But the kicker for me is the way they did it.
Despite near certain death if they went even slightly off course, they would ‘embark on their sea voyages with a remarkably relaxed spirit. The chief navigator would occasionally glance at the night sky or position of the sun, but mostly he talked with others or stared straight ahead. Sometimes one of the men would lie down in the middle of the canoe and pass on some information he had gleaned. In general they gave the impression of being passengers on a train, serenely taking in the passing scenery.'*
The system they used was based on the position of the sun, the stars, flight paths of birds, water currents and cloud patterns – everything they could feel and sense in their environment.
Crucially though it was their position within this environment that struck me: ‘As part of this system they envisioned that their canoe was completely still – the stars moved above them, and the islands in the ocean were moving to and away from them as they passed them. Acting as if the canoe was stationary made it easier to calculate their position with their reference system. Although they knew that the islands did not move, after many years of travelling this way, they would literally experience the trip as if they were sitting still.
From sailing to driving
I loved this concept. It got me thinking – if the Caroline Islanders could experience their boat being still and life moving around them, could I do it when driving?
With lockdown lifting, I had a three hour drive to give it a go.
At first it felt silly. Right, hands on the steering wheel - I’m staying still, the road is moving… I’m staying still, the road is moving… Nothing.
I kept saying it – I’m staying still, the road is moving…almost about to give up when all of a sudden it worked!
The road was coming to me – my car felt still.
I checked the speed – still 70 mph. I could still steer no problems. I felt safe.
But the road was coming to me. A bit like an old computer racing game.
And the next thing I noticed – my shoulders dropped. I relaxed!
I wasn’t rushing to get somewhere. I was where I was supposed to be. In control and relaxed.
From driving to life
This then got me thinking: what if this was a lesson for life?
I’ve always been pretty impatient. Always wanting the next thing. Striving for more fun, more impact, more adventure.
But instead of striving to always do the next thing, what if I was where I was supposed to be? Right now in this moment.
What if instead of pushing for clients, I relaxed and let clients connect with me?
What if I relaxed and really enjoyed life – now. In this moment.
Because true mastery lies in the present. Relaxed, aware, alive.
What if you dropped in and let life come to you?
* Quotes are from Robert Green's book Mastery - p270-272 - available here https://uk.bookshop.org/books/mastery/9781781250914