In the Far East, various Buddhist sects use martial arts as part of their spiritual practice.

I was somewhat surprised to come across a paper in a publication by the US National Library of Medicine entitled: ‘A journey towards whole­ness, a journey to God: physical fitness as embodied spirituality.’ Wow! Journeys, em­bodiment, spirituality. Certainly not the type of paper I would normally read on a Tuesday night, and a far cry from muscle fibres, energy pathways and physiological adaptations.

Nevertheless, it was certainly worth a read. I’ve always found this mind-body-spirit link utterly fascinating. Just as theology is a respected branch of academic pursuit as much as science or any other discipline, so too should it find a welcome place in the realm of exercise and sports sciences.

Exercise science might be pretty wrapped up in cells, molecules and chemical reactions, but is there more to it? We’ve already got sports and exercise physiology, medicine and psychology, so is there space for a new branch of some sort of sports and exercise theology?

If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ll find it hard to ignore the profound significance and influence religion and spirituality have on the dynamics of this modern world we live in. While certain faiths com­plain of dwindling mem­bership and others fall frequently in the firing line of misinterpretation or con­demnation, perhaps there has never been a better time to in­vestigate alternative methods of spiritual pursuit.

Now I could not possibly dream of being so bold as to suggest that humble old physical activity could have such phenomenal and far-reaching effects on the world. But I would be so bold as to encourage everyone to strive for deeper meaning and fulfillment in the simple things in life, such as household tasks, driving, spending time with loved ones and yes, exercising. With a little practice, your exercise sessions don’t have to be exclusively for the body, but can benefit the mind and spirit too.

If you received a Catholic education, you certainly will have been warned against the dangers of the wolf in sheep’s clothing, the wide gates and the path of tem­p­tation. With its gltzy, spandex-covered veneer, the modern fitness industry with its perfectly formed, shiny and oil-clad rep­resentatives sporting six-packs and sparkling smiles, it’s easy to suspect the wolf lurking about behind the ever-present veils of vanity and mate­rialism. And yes, while he is most certainly there, you will have to confront him first and foremost be­fore you can get past him and dis­cover the greater gifts concealed deep within.

Getting wrapped up in looking good and becoming beautiful for the purpose of being adored could be considered a wide gate to potential practices that are actually unhealthy for the body. These include extreme dieting or even eating disorders and obsessive training schedules that negatively affect responsibilities and rela­tionships important to the func­tioning of fruitful everday living.

Getting beneath all this and focusing on the inner gifts, and not the outwardly visible ones, is a sign that the benefits of your partici­pation in physical activity are no lon­ger centred around your ego, but around the all-im­portant body, mind, and perhaps spirit connec­tion.

You can use physical exercise as a form of meditation or prayer

The idea of physical activity as spiritual discipline is certainly not new. It’s actually thousands of years old. The widespread popularity of yoga today is clear evidence of this. The roots of yoga can be traced back thousands of years to Hinduism and Buddhism. In the Far East we can see various Buddhist sects that use martial arts as part of their spiritual practice, able to perform apparently superhuman feats of physical strength, skill and endurance as a result of their ability to channel intense mental focus.

Exercise can be a form of active meditation, a means to achieve awareness of the body and all its parts. This includes awareness of its resultant feelings and thoughts that should not define us, awareness of the position of the body in space and its interaction with the surrounding world, and awareness of the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations on the skin.

To become fully immersed in the moment, without the distractions of mind-made thoughts, worries or fears, is a state that intensifies with regular practice, and leads to a sense of ‘awakening’, or heightened understanding and wisdom.

You can use physical exercise as a form of meditation or prayer, to reflect in a heightened sense of awareness on the beliefs you hold dear, whatever these might be, perhaps reconnecting with them.

Few can argue with the benefits of the development of greater in­sight and awareness, gifts that medi­tative practice can provide. If noth­ing else, you may begin to regard your body, and the bodies of others, not as outwardly beautiful objects to be possessed or manip­ulated, but to unite with the body out of love, the same love that ap­preciates all creations and forms of life.

So next time you exercise, try these simple steps: As you begin the activity, spend a few minutes focusing exclusively on your breathing, listening to it, feeling it, and focusing entirely on it, without allowing your mind to drift else­where. As soon as you notice it drifting, refocus back on your breath­ing. After some time you will notice you have entered a calm and relaxed state. Breathe and extend your focus on very specific parts of your body like your chest or sto­mach, imagining you are breathing energy directly into that area. If you can do just this, it’s a great start on a wonderful journey of countless gifts.

matthew.muscat.inglott@mcast.edu.mt