Hiromi_X
Knock on wood
One of my bosses is hyper-rational with no religious beliefs, but when he's watching his beloved Red Sox, he will deck himself out head to toe with Red Sox gear, from cap to special socks and shoes because if he doesn't do this, then they will lose.
Likewise, motorcycling has made me revert to ritual and mysticism. It's a difficult sport, and your mind needs to be in the right place. The last mishap I had was due to lack of concentration and fatigue and being spooked by the particular intersection I was in. So in order to put myself into the right frame of mind, I've decided to perform a Buddhist ritual every morning. If I do that, then I'll be in the right frame of mind for riding and even better, my heart tells me that my dad will go through this gall bladder thing with flying colors. Or at least I know that I'm doing as much as I can.
I used to think that this sort of thing was a weakness, but that's wrongheaded. It feels good. It soothes my mind. And while I still have absolutely no belief in gods or anything remotely religious, I've learned to stop fixating on "rationality" and "reason" because both of those concepts are as fuzzy as the concepts they are pitted against.
Comments
One of the areas I've been "studying" is Buddhism. Like you I don't believe in the concept of "God," especially as most people see it. But many of the core philosophies of Buddhism are being proven now days. The concept of focusing the mind is one.
As a fellow rider I know that no matter what we may call it, stepping into the saddle does focus the mind, as well as open our awareness.
1. Posted by Brian on August 8, 2007
I think it boils down to, "Whatever gets you through the night." If religion works, great. If no religion works, equally great. If religious trappings and ceremony works, that's great too.
Life is a dark ride and everyone needs some help. Don't worry about it.
2. Posted by Omnipotent Poobah on August 9, 2007
Brian said:
As a fellow rider I know that no matter what we may call it, stepping into the saddle does focus the mind, as well as open our awareness.
That sounds very yogic!
It *is* the same thing -- about clearing your mind of distractions and living in the moment. And one thing I keep reminding myself of, in many endeavors, is to enjoy the trip there. I tend to think that I *must* master something NOW, when it's actually a journey, often a long one. My personality is such that I'm *really* disappointed that I'm not becoming a skilled rider right away. But in yoga, you simply don't do a headstand right off the bat, for instance.
My sponsor told me another metaphor for enjoying the journey using sex: orgasms are great, but if all we did during sex was think "orgasmorgasmorgasm," it wouldn't be good sex. Good sex is when you enjoy each moment along the way. So I'm trying to enjoy each small moment in my riding and each small step forward.
Omni, I'm not worried per se. I just think my change in attitude is interesting and a sign of growth.
3. Posted by Hiromi on August 9, 2007
I think smorgasm every waking moment.
4. Posted by Ray on August 9, 2007
My friend Mark, told me that he wasn't sure what to believe after going through the 12 steps. It made him question everything in his life. He decided that he would believe, (or try to believe) anything that made his life better. It seemed kind of shallow to me at the time (seriously ANYTHING?) but it has kind of stuck with me too, so maybe it wasn't so shallow. I have not really developed any better way to evaluate belief from a rational view point.
Not quite the same thing as performing a spiritual practice for motorcycling benefits but your post reminded me of his scheme.
5. Posted by Capturedshadow on August 9, 2007
Ray said:
I think smorgasm...
smorgasmbord, orgasmbord, orgasmbord...
Captured Shadow said:
It seemed kind of shallow to me at the time (seriously ANYTHING?) but it has kind of stuck with me too, so maybe it wasn't so shallow. I have not really developed any better way to evaluate belief from a rational view point.
I think that it would seem shallow to people who've grown up under Western concepts of religion. To Westerners, religion is something that *must* be accompanied by belief, but much of the world doesn't feel that way.
Take Japan, for instance. Westerners are perplexed by the Japanese ability to "mix" Shinto and Buddhism (whether or not they're actually really hermetically sealed separate concepts is questionable. Actually, that's true for any religion). But if you think of religion as a practice rather than some sort of truth-based (at least to the believer, not to the critic) belief system, it isn't shallow at all.
Your friend's use of belief in his sobriety (I assume he's an alkie or addict) is that kind of thing -- a practice based, or action-based attempt to achieve a particular wish.
6. Posted by Hiromi on August 9, 2007
Enjoy the process is what I like to call it... Although
"I think smorgasm...
smorgasmbord, orgasmbord, orgasmbord..."
is going to become a random giggle, methinks.
7. Posted by Darkneuro on August 9, 2007
Sox Nation....represent! Somehow last year I became inducted into the Red Sox nation so, you know...but no, actually it doesn't matter. Thank you for writing what you write. It helps me and matters to me.
SB
8. Posted by SB on August 11, 2007
Hi SB, glad you commented.
9. Posted by Hiromi on August 11, 2007
I can't help but think that sports loyalties are really just vestigial tribalism...
10. Posted by Wati on August 12, 2007
"smorgasm" just makes me think of really hot sex with marshmallows and chocolate bars.
Excuse me, I'll be back in half an hour. :)
11. Posted by Tina Marie on August 15, 2007