For the past two weeks, the Dallas Cowboys have been holding their Summer Training Camp in the Alamodome, located just a few miles from our house.  The public was invited to watch their workouts free of charge, and since we'd never seen a professional football team before, it seemed like a good idea to go see them with my ten year-old son, Mateo.  A unique father-son bonding experience.  Quality-time.  And cheap entertainment, to boot.  Okay, so neither of us is much of a football fan.  But hey, these are the Dallas Cowboys after all:  America's Team, giants on the cultural landscape of Texas.
 
So off we went last Thursday afternoon.  Mateo was mildly curious about seeing media celebrity, Tony Romo, in person; although, he didn't know which position Tony would be playing, much less where a quarterback might be located in relation to the other guys at the line of scrimmage.  And he wasn't really all that interested in watching the rest of the Cowboys running through their drills, and was ready to leave after half an hour.  I couldn't blame him; without the high drama of a regular game, cheerleaders and a roaring crowd, it wasn't exactly exciting.
 
And yet I bribed Mateo into staying a bit longer, because I couldn't take my eyes off the players.  Sitting in the fifth row, just a few yards from the field, they looked so much bigger and faster than they do on TV.  It was fascinating, precisely because there wasn't any play-action to distract me from watching these superbly conditioned athletes performing the highly specialized tasks they'd been practicing for many years.  By definition, they're all among the best football players in the country, or else they wouldn't be playing in the NFL. A few are famous, like Tony Romo; many more remain relatively unrecognized and unsung.  Still, each is responsible for doing the arduous work of attaining the physical condition and mastering the unique skills required to be a successful halfback, linebacker, tackle or wide receiver in this league. Yet, few, if any, could do it on their own.  They need coaches to spur them on, and teammates to practice with, in order to develop their individual talents and play the game fully. So, there they were, superstars and second-stringers, fresh rookies and aging veterans alike.  Running drill after drill, practicing the very same fundamentals they've been repeating over and over, ever since junior high school:  tackling, passing, catching, and kicking the ball, time and time again.
 
Watching them practice didn't make either of us a Cowboys fan, but it sure gave me a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary level of discipline and commitment required to play ball at that level.  It also gave me a new insight into the totally different - yet strikingly parallel -- work involved in deepening our spiritual lives. Each of us is on our own individual spiritual path; each with our own skills, strengths, needs and understanding.  But no matter how long we've been at it, how "far" or "advanced" we might get (or at least think we are...), it's important to keep practicing "the basics" over and over: centering, breathing, praying, taking care of our physical bodies.  It's also important (at least for most people) to be part of a spiritual community of some sort:  to affirm each other through good times and bad; to keep ourselves grounded on the physical plane; to help rein in our extremist tendencies if they arise; to join in a supportive, collective field of consciousness, kindness and compassion.  Of course, there have always been a few hermits, monks and masters who struck out on their own, so it's not absolutely necessary to be associated with a sangha, or spiritual fellowship -- but it sure can be helpful.  As my friend and spiritual teacher, Charly Heavenrich, likes to say:  "You have to do it by yourself, but you don't have to do it alone!"
 
 In any case, I am very grateful for your interest, support and companionship in this wonderful "team" of co-creative consciousness, which is the Celebration Circle.  My life is much better for it, and I trust yours is, too.  Thank you so much.

 

With gratitude and blessings,