The process of forming a pot out of clay has changed very little for millennia. Created by Father Theophan

By FATHER THEOPHAN
Rector of Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church

Throwing pottery, not at someone, but on the pottery wheel, is an ancient craft. It comes from the Old English word “thrawan”, which means to twist or turn.

Originally, and often to this day, they were foot-driven, although electric motors have eased the work of most potters. Whatever the modern evolutions of the wheel, the process of forming a pot has changed very little for millennia: centering, opening, and pulling up walls, is ubiquitous.

The techniques of throwing are simple and can be explained and demonstrated in five minutes or less. The mastery of said techniques can consume a lifetime.

When things are going well, the clay conforms to the will of the potter. It centers easily, opens readily, and the walls rise into the form desired. When things do not go well, it feels like an epic battle of wills with an inanimate lump of dirt. It can be disheartening.

Some say the clay responds to the state of the potter. If one sits down at the wheel without personally being centered, there is little chance of a positive outcome. If our mind is wandering, often our hands will not cooperate in the process. Any little inconsistency in pressure or hand and body position can throw the clay out of center.

It is a task which requires the concentration and cooperation of mind and body.

It is often the same with our lives. If we want to be intentional about what we do, it takes concentration and attentiveness. When we are scattered, either emotionally distraught, or our attention is somewhere other than the on the current situation, it is difficult to get anything done, or at least done well. We are easily distracted, and we flit from one task to another, or check our Facebook feed or email for the fifth time this hour.

Master Yoda may have said it best of Luke Skywalker, “All his life has he looked away … to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was … what he was doing.”

If we can center ourselves, our attention is where it is supposed to be, on the here and now. Our relationships will grow, because the person in front of us gets our best, our total attention. Our work will progress and be productive because we are not distracted. Our pottery gets better because we are fully present with the clay.

Planning and preparation are important, essential to a good outcome in any endeavor, as are learning lessons from the past. But worry about the future or regrets about the past only serve to scatter our attention and ruin our current endeavor.

So wedge (knead) the clay well and have a good form and result for the pot in mind, but sit with the clay as it is. Take advantage of the next opportunity. Make the choice that presents itself to you today.

Do the next good thing, and take a step into living, or making pottery, intentionally.