Is Golf a Form of Meditation? by Francesca Vanegas
golf holes per capita than any other place in the world may account for the analogy that golfer/yoga students use when referring to the game as a type of meditation. Although the ancient Yogic texts that describe meditation as a with- drawal of the senses, concentration, bliss and consciousness, were written long before golf was developed in the 12th century, is it possible that this modern game may indeed be a form of meditation?
W Withdrawal of the Senses
During the preparatory stage of medita- tion, the senses are drawn inward. The mystery of the inner landscape holds more interest than the outer bling. In golf, the senses are mostly engaged in the course, swing mechanics or the ball’s trajectory.
Concentration
During meditation, the mind is an- chored on a focal point, such as the breath. Though the mind will surely drift to thoughts of pizza, laundry or work, it is always redirected to the breath. In golf, the mind’s anchor may be the ball, the club or the stance. Without concentration, golfers would never hit the ball. Like meditators, golfers get distracted with performance anxiety, swing mechanics, the previ- ous shot or the score. While golf does enhance concentration, in meditation, concentration alone does not provide the meditator with any further benefit.
I want and I don’t want
Every second of the day, the mind jumps from one thought to the next. We want this and we don’t want that. Meditation promises freedom from thought cycles that perpetuate suffering. In meditation, we observe the play of the mind, but do not take sides. Al- though the promise of golf is not to free the mind from attachment, being unat-
ith more than 1,300 golf courses, Florida is definitely a golfer’s paradise. More
tached to one’s handicap would surely produce a more peaceful experience.
The “I” Dissolves
Beyond intense concentration, the third stage is meditation, where brain waves shift from the slower alpha frequen- cies, to theta. In the theta state, we experience freedom from the mental noise and tap into higher forms of understanding, intuition and creativity. Bliss and ecstasy emerge in this stage. Golf will not likely shift us beyond the everyday alpha wave stage. Although a golfer will experience the thrill of a shot, this bliss is likely connected to external rewards.
Meditation Enhances Your Golf Game
Meditation teaches golfers to strengthen their muscles of attention. As they focus more on being present in their game, golfers may experience a fresh per- spective, playing a game that is free of expectations and performance anxiety.
One may surmise that a round of golf, played simply for pleasure and without competition, may give a yoga stu- dent the opportunity to practice some meditation skills; however, it is unlikely that a true state of meditation can be achieved, even with the bliss of hitting a hole-in-one.
Francesca Vanegas is the founder of the Florida Yoga Institute in Bonita Springs/ Estero and author of the upcoming book, Teaching Down Dogs New Tricks. To schedule a yoga/meditation clinic for your community or club, call 239-498- 0222 or visit
FlaYogaInstitute.com.
natural awakenings July 2010 27
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