| Author | Message | ||
     Zhen13 |
I have realized what it is about riding that has that therapudic effect on me. While my wife was dying of cancer and my life was in a complete state of chaos I found myself working out and training like I mad man. It was the only way I could release my anger and frustration with the situation. But one early morning on the mat at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with my instructor I commented to him how rolling (sparring) was the only thing I was able to find any escape from my many problems at the time. What I said to him was because of the situation you are forced to be hyper aware and focused on the situation at hand. If you don't you will quickly find yourself choked or painfully locked. You must be as they say living in the moment. All of your problems fall to background as focus on your opponent, no time for any other thoughts. It recently dawned on me how similar it was to riding my bike. While riding you need to have your attention focused on the matter at hand. You must be very aware of your surroundings and the moves your fellow drivers might make. Because of this you basically allow your thoughts to become background noise. In many eastern religions this is highest level of being no thoughts ahead or behind simply living in that exact moment. I think the ability to distill that feeling that sense of being is priceless and is the reason why most people who start riding never stop its a spiritual experience. Loa Tzu says If you are sad you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. But if you are calm and collected you are living in the now. Remember ever time you go for a ride you are doing what countless Buddhist and Taoist monks have done before you. You are elevating your consciousness your being.In essence you are meditating. So next time you go for ride tell everyone you will be meditating for the next couple of hours. (Message edited by Zhen13 on July 12, 2016) (Message edited by Zhen13 on July 12, 2016) (Message edited by Zhen13 on July 12, 2016) (Message edited by Zhen13 on July 12, 2016) | ||
| Pwnzor |
When I go riding I often tell people I'm going to church, and I mean it in the truest sense. I will pray that peace finds you. | ||
| Mnrider |
Spring flowers, autumn moon, Summer breeze, winter snow- When the mind is free from unnecessary thoughts, Every season is just perfect! EKAI | ||
| Zac4mac |
Wow, a fitting Haiku, I love youse guys. BadWeB is a singularity | ||
| 86129squids |
True story. I used to buy or was given those "Page-A-Day" calendars... they produced a Zen Calendar for +- 365 days, pull off one and another. I kept most of the pages, for several years... Standby. | ||
| Big_island_rider |
Zhen13, Sorry for the loss of your wife. I know what you mean about hyper-focusing. I have raced sailboats since I was a kid and found it to be zen like at times. I even wrote and article called Wind Strength. I also found it later in my martial arts. Now a days I do it while shooting, riding motorcycles and scuba diving. All of these things can kill you if you are not paying attention. I also do this while spending "quality time" with the wife, where I have a slightly less chance of getting killed.  (Message edited by big island rider on July 13, 2016) | ||
| 86129squids |
Sitting in an outhouse, I concentrated upon this doubt, and as time passed I forgot to leave. Suddenly a violent wind came, first blowing the outhouse door open and then shut again with a loud crash. My spirit instantly advanced and ripped apart my previous doubt; it was like suddenly awakening from a dream, or remembering something forgotten. I began to dance in a way I had never learned, and there are no words to convey my joy. Gesshu 8/31/2004 Tuesday (Message edited by 86129squids on July 13, 2016) |
