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Inspired by Wimbledon
Originally appeared on spirituality.com
In my time as a tennis instructor, I’ve noticed that the Wimbledon tournament often inspires amateur players. After watching it on TV or live streaming, many people will go out and practice and play with fresh energy, and even encourage their kids to play as well. Players may try out shots that are winning at Wimbledon, or energize their feet with skipping or sidestepping movements or gavotte-like musical dance rhythms that Wimbledon matches display.
The one Spirit, God, includes everyone–and as an instructor, I love knowing that Spirit's rhythm is giving my students a lift as they play, just as it gives us all a deeper sense of spirituality. We all certainly feel the fresh energy of Spirit, even though we may not always know where it comes from! We feel God’s presence and rhythm in those shots that make the familiar “pop” sound and land in.
A player I know delights his partner by encouraging him after he makes a winning shot. He says, “We’re feeling it!” To me, that’s another reference to Spirit’s rhythm, a huge factor in sports and in life.
As we come to know ourselves spiritually, our endeavors to play or practice become opportunities to discover what God has already done, rather than just tests of our reflexes, coordination, experience, or health. It’s encouraging to regard ourselves spiritually, as “the reflex image of God” (see Science and Health, p. 259). And in tennis, there are many ways to succeed or win (as clinics help point out): improving a shot, getting a good workout, renewing or making a friendship, and so on. These are all ways to glorify God.
This spiritual rhythm–harmonious action, we might say–governs our entire consciousness. So in tennis or other activities, it’s natural for us to resort, sometimes intuitively, to our genuine, natural spiritual selfhood. Man is Spirit’s individual idea, and I love seeing this spiritual authenticity on display at Wimbledon. For example, a player’s meekness might lead him or her to make adjustments in tactics, resulting in better performances. Or a player might exhibit gracefulness or quickness on the court, exquisitely exemplifying qualities of divine Spirit and reminding us all that the tennis court is a spiritual atmosphere governed by God’s angel-thoughts.
I’m also inspired by the commitment I see on display at Wimbledon. My students, too, are sometimes inspired by the work ethic of star players. I’ve found that it’s helpful to take a spiritual view here, as well. During matches (or during other endeavors) when players “dig in,” it’s not just a matter of wanting to win strongly enough, or of overcoming nervousness. In fact, it’s natural to feel Spirit governing our consciousness and action, eliminating fear and the drag of mere human effort. Prayer gives us that lion-hearted feeling, which indicates that we recognize a challenge as an opportunity to “feel it” and find Spirit’s rhythm. We can really sense this dynamic while watching Wimbledon, and feel it in inspired moments during games and lessons.
I love teaching tennis because it’s so easy to see how teachers and players–at Wimbledon and everywhere–naturally love and express Spirit’s rhythm. It’s fun to watch doubles or singles matches in which players complete great rallies, with both sides making exciting shots. When it’s clear that the players are “feeling it,” we notice this rhythm with relish–and that’s Spirit’s rhythm, uplifting us all.