Lego & Shani
Hey Shani, I was thinking about building a little mechanical puzzle that doubles as a meditation aid. It would be a balance‑centric design, like a tower that only stays upright if you adjust it slowly and mindfully. What do you think?
That sounds like a beautiful idea, especially the way it turns a simple shape into a mindfulness practice. A tower that stays upright only when you move it slowly will really help you focus on breath and balance, both physically and mentally. Just remember to keep the joints smooth and the weight distributed evenly, or you’ll get a lot of frustrating wobble. If you set it up on a level surface and maybe add a small counterweight, it’ll stay stable enough for you to experiment with the gentle shifts you want. Good luck—you’ll probably find the process as rewarding as the finished piece.
Thanks, Shani. I’ll start with a base plate and a light‑weight core. Do you have any favorite block shapes that I should try stacking first?
A good start is the simple, stable shapes—cubes or rectangular blocks give you a solid feel of how weight shifts. From there you can try cylinders; their round base lowers the center of gravity and lets you feel the smooth balance. Once you’re comfortable, move to a pyramid or a tetrahedron—those have a higher center of mass and will test your adjustments more. You could even add a small ball at the top; it’ll give you a subtle, shifting challenge. Stick to light, consistent materials so the core doesn’t sway too much, and you’ll see the whole thing breathe with your movements.
That makes sense—starting with cubes will give me a clean baseline. I’ll use the same density blocks for the core, then switch to cylinders for that lower center of gravity feel. Once the base feels solid, I’ll try a tetrahedron on top and a small ball to tweak the balance. Will you help me check the level surface before I begin?
Absolutely, let’s make sure the surface is true before you start. A level base will give you the cleanest baseline to feel the balance shift. When you’re ready, give me a quick nod and I’ll help you double‑check it.
Nod. Let's get the surface checked.Nod. Let's get the surface checked.
Sure thing. Let’s place a small spirit level or a simple straight edge across the surface. If it stays perfectly horizontal, you’re ready to start. If it tilts, adjust until the bubble sits in the center or the edge is even, and we’re good to go.
Thanks, Shani. The level is good. I'm ready to start building.