A Basketball Fan Lets go of his Attachment



Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2010

by Cary Bayer
Cary Bayer Communications

“He who has no undue fondness towards anything, who neither exults nor recoils on gaining what is good or bad, his intellect is established."

  -- Krishna, The Bhagavad-Gita

I’ve taught hundreds of people how to meditate as Krishna taught in The Bhagavad-Gita .   I’ve even taught others how to teach meditation and lose their worldly attachments.   So I must confess, as game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics nears, that I sometimes wrestle with one major lifetime attachment: I’ve loved the  Lakers since I was eight, and recoil when they lose a playoff game.

Confession #2: In game 5 of a Western Conference semi-finals playoff game some years back Tim Duncan made a nearly-impossible shot with less than a second left.   When it seemed he stole a victory, knocking the air out of the Lakers, I screamed in anger.   Screamed!    I can hear yogis turning over in their caves.

Confession #3: When Lakers guard Derek Fisher followed with a prayer of a jumper shot with four tenths of a second left that won the game, I jumped off my couch absolutely delirious with joy.   This is what Krishna called undue fondness and exulting.

Good News #1: Several years ago, I gave up my equally-long New York Mets attachment.   Occasionally, I’ll watch them with interest, but with no attachment.  

Good News #2: When I watch the Lakers while I’m awake in my higher Self—that silence in me that witnesses life’s play of ups and downs-- I enjoy the games much more.   The reason?   There’s no attachment to the outcome.   I become a fan in the zone.

Speaking of fans (as in fanatics), I’ve seen many give away their power, marriages and lives to their teams.   Fortunately, I have family, friends, and a life, so it’s clear the Lakers are the next attachment to go.   A wise yogi once said, “Love without attachment is light."   I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

What’s the one attachment you’d like to let go of in your life?    Let it go—and you’ll be free to enjoy it with even more pleasure and peace.

                                                                       * * *

Cary Bayer is a South Florida Life Coach who conducts a private practice by the ocean within 40 minutes of Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Hollywood, etc. You can find him at www.CaryBayer.com and reach him at successaerobics@aol.com

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