masters tournament 2010: spiritual warriors

Good Morning Everyone!

There are countless books whose topic is the spiritual aspects of the game of golf. I personally tried the game, but it had no fascination for me. My father, however, found the golf course to be his place of centering.

This year’s Masters Golf Tournament is a lesson in applied spirituality. The lives of the principles are in public view for all to see, evaluate and make observations – if one is willing to see with “new eyes” and a loving heart.

Tiger Woods - Spiritual Warrior

Obviously everyone was watching Tiger Woods‘ return to the game. But what did you see? A man struggling to transform his understanding of himself? Did you see a divine being endeavoring to awaken from his illusion that he is the sum of his beliefs about himself? As Tiger is relentlessly maligned in the press, I am awed by his courage whilst simultaneously I am dismayed at the readiness of folks to pounce, criticize and “catch” him being less than perfect. We have no mercy on our fallen heroes. Yet, for all to witness, Tiger is in the process of examining his life, living his life, and expanding his consciousness. He is smack dab in the midst of life transformation, which is a messy business. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Our attention was then diverted to Phil Mickelson who was this year’s winner. Our sympathies were appealed to because his wife, Amy, is having her own awakening through the experience of cancer. Somehow we are able to open our hearts to those of us with a physical dis-ease, but we have no ability to open our hearts to those of us struggling with emotional dis-ease; an affliction, by the way, that affects each and every one of us. Whether physical or emotional.

Amy & Phil Mickelson - Spiritual Warriors

The beautiful picture of Phil and Amy in embrace at the conclusion of the tournament is the outcome of two people who have been brought to their knees through a life circumstance; and by opening their hearts to themselves and each other, are coming through it with more love able to be expressed in their physical lives.

Tiger and Phil have much in common besides the game of golf. Both are facing painful life situations. These “cosmic gooses” are the catalysts that can provide us with the opportunity to grow and propel us into a higher awareness of Who We Really Are if we are willing. The situations are the same: a painful life situation experienced by a human who has forgotten his own divinity and whose only remedy for transformation and meaning is Love.

We are directed to Love one another as we Love our self. This loving our self seems to be the place where we each have the most growing to do. It’s True Nature is unconditional.

Thanks for reading!

Kath