Coffee as an energy flow
Coogee with its unique and beautiful architecture
I start today by ordering a coffee on my short walk down to the beach. While waiting, I notice that coffee structures energy flows here. I ordered take-away, so am in a fast flow of energy. My name is called before I have a chance to open my journal and I’m expected to move on. Those who choose to ‘drink in’ are part of a slower energy flow. They have made a choice to dwell. The early opening of the cafe, the steam in the coffee machine, the movement and flow of people, the energy kick from the coffee, the production of waste. It’s all part of the flows and energies of this place.
I am journalling down at Coogee Beach, while in Sydney for work. The built environment is such an important, and even primary, relation of place here. There are large concrete stairs here and people sit on those, rather than the sand, even though they’re much colder. So few people on the sand. At this time of year, and this time of day, it seems to mostly be the pathway between the stairs and the ocean.
The sand has been raked by machines, erasing the texture, markings and information of what the high tide brought. I wonder if the locals notice? Do they care that machines wash away the imprint of the tides? Do they notice the relations between materials and ecologies here?
Some people are in the water, mostly behind the shore break. As we approach winter, it’s mostly younger men. A group of them try to catch the dumping waves. Despite the strength of their sculptured bodies, the water is stronger, having its way with them, tossing them around. But they invigorate themselves, and this energetic practice fuels the energy of the place.
The energy moves and builds through relations of place here. Through engagement with the ocean. But also through increasing heartbeats at the gym. Drinking coffee and sharing friendship on the concrete steps. Running. Playing beach volleyball. Energy is flowing everywhere here.
So much energy that it’s easy to miss it. Even the slower flow of the energies of the trees, the slow decomposition of waste in the bins. It’s all here. Flowing. Moving, Shaping. Creating. It interacts with my own energy in ways that I’m not even consciously aware. So I keep a watch for it.
Coogee Beach, Sydney
The ocean offers a very specific energy to this place. Perhaps being in its presence is enough to fuel many of the locals. It is enough to fuel me today, watching the waves crash into the rocks, and the unique configurations of spray they create.
The locals generate and derive so much joy here. A man races into the sea and falls over the first wave he meets. Friends gather and bob behind the breakers. It’s life. And freedom. But also nature, and so, uncertain too, being bound by its own rhythms and moods. Sharks follow food and currents beyond the breakers, known but unknown by the swimmers.
This is a gathering place. The beach is perfectly oriented for easterly morning sun. A reliable place to come and warm up on a cold morning. Friendship is clear here. We can think of cities as lonely places. But down here on the steps at Coogee, I am surrounded by friendship.
Aeroplanes contribute to the flows of energy of this place. A background movement and hum as they travel through the sky at a steady pace, coming to land at the nearby international airport. I am emotionally unaffected by their movements, but I am sure the tourists are reminded to cherish their days here with each landing plane.
