The merits of boxing
Friday, October 31st, 2008
QUESTION: Masters, as a boy I was attracted by the boxing skills of Joe Louis and Cassius Clay, and I imagine that young men today are thrilled to watch the unbeaten young stars Yuriorkis Gamboa and Alfredo Angulo win their matches with knockouts. Now, as a man, I am disgusted with a sport where guys (and even women) injure and knock each other senseless for money. Surely there can be little spiritual merit in doing that?
ANSWER: Humans have many ways in which they both earn their living and learn the lessons they came to Earth to experience. Boxing, for the talented few, may be a noble profession. In a world where a large percentage of employment involves working indoors, frequently behind the confines of a desk, boxing looks barbaric but also exciting. For that matter, those who are able to earn their money as professional athletes of any ilk engender the same sense of awe and jealousy.
The casualties of physical confrontations are senseless to many whether they arise from boxing, football, rugby, bull fighting or motor racing. The same or worse injuries, however, may come from coal mining, firefighting, steel foundries, or bridge building. Even office workers can have dangerous pastime activities when they enjoy mountain climbing, hang gliding, skiing, and scuba diving.
People are drawn to the professions and leisure activities that help them learn about themselves. Are you reliving a life as a caveman after being killed seeking food in the form of a bear? Confront another in the ring and deal with the anger, fear, and self-confidence issues from that life. Are you trying to feel a sense of trust in your own decisions? Work as an accountant for money and spend it trusting your decisions on the steep face of a mountainside.
Everything that you experience in life is there to teach you something about yourself. You draw to yourself what is important for your growth. During your youth, boxing heroes told you of success and that “might makes right,” both very important in shaping your ego-based early life. As you continue awakening to your spiritual self, see the boxer as a soul finding his self-worth, assuming responsibility for his own actions by taking back his power. Any injuries he may receive are also a part of the lessons he chose. Get out of making judgments and only make evaluations; this is something you do not need to experience but the fighter apparently does.
