Pouring The Last Drop of Oil: Applied Spirituality

While pouring oil from the frying pan, I was reminded of one Montessori Practical Life Exercise: Pouring Water from Pitcher to Glass.

In presenting the Exercise to the child in the classroom, the materials are set on a low table while the child is invited to sit by the teacher’s sub-dominant hand.

Ideally, as teachers/presenters, our energy is centered, our voice low, our motions slow and deliberate, leading the attention of the child to the process and the materials, and eventually telling the child to “wait for the last drop” before wiping the spout.

Then gently we set the pitcher down, sit back, fold our hands on our lap, perhaps smile and nod contentedly as we look at our completed task. After a moment, we stand up, push our chair under the table, and carry the materials back to their place on the shelf.

I realize now, eight years after I had presented that Exercise in the classroom, how profound, sublime, and reverent the whole process is.

Our energy is centered. We are completely in the moment, fully attentive to the task at hand.

Our voice is low. We are confident in our presence, not needing to catch any attention or to push any will.

Our motions are slow and deliberate. We take our time because there is enough time, and every action is important. There is no room for frenzied, unnecessary movements.

We lead the attention to the process and the materials. In this moment, it is not the teacher that is important, nor her personality. She is, however, one with the process and the materials. The message speaks to her and through her.

We wait for the last drop. The last drop is the point of interest. Together with the child, we observe this phenomenon, silently, patiently. We do not rush the falling of the last drop of water. We know it will happen. We allow it.

We gently set the pitcher down. We respect the material, we are mindful of our presence in the environment, and we are responsible stewards.

We sit back. Our presentation is done, our task is complete. We detach from the result.

We fold our hands on our lap. Nothing else needs to be done. We rest in stillness.

We smile and nod contentedly as we look at our completed task. We acknowledge our part in it, and we are happy with our accomplishment.

We stand up. From a higher perspective, we see our finished work, and we view the entirety of the context from the micro to the macro and vice versa.

We push our chair under the table and we carry the materials back to their place. We make room for other people in the environment to walk safely. There is a place for everything, and everything is in its place. This is responsibility. This is closure.

The Practical Life Exercise is Applied Spirituality.