How To Leave The Crowd and Find Stillness

A reflection on the word “crowd”.

I don’t like being squished or confined. I like the open air and room to breathe and move.

I remember being in Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada.

As a family we had to wait a long time in crowded lines to get into the exhibits. In one particular attraction the screen went around all the sides and we stood in the middle, in long lines with barriers behind us. My Mom hated being confined. She was worse than me. She stood there and turned white. I thought she might faint. We couldn’t move left or right. We were stuck. Finally the music and video started and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police gave full force into our view — on all sides.

I don’t think my Mom appreciated that exhibit at all and felt grateful when we were able to leave. I liked the show but worried so much about Mom that I couldn’t really enjoy it.

When I went to university I took the subway to downtown. That meant in the mornings I got on the train in the west end where there were few people. But by the time we reached my exit, the train had filled to capacity and I had to concentrate on breathing. On coming home I usually got standing room only. Being tall that was an advantage as I could breathe clearer air and see everything.

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