Kan: By knowing when we truly love, it is never lost. It is only after de
ath that the depth of the bond is truly felt. And our loved one becomes more a part of us then was possible in life.
KCC: Are we only able to feel this toward those whom we have known and loved a long time?
Kan: Sometimes, a stranger known to us for moments can spark our souls to kinship for eternity.
KCC: How can strangers take on such importance to our souls?
Kan: Because our soul does not keep time. It merely records growth.
~~ Kung Fu~~
The golf driving range is an interesting place to learn the art of love. Swinging golf clubs, hitting practice balls and tuning one’s swing is seldom, if at all, considered a labor of love. When thinking of golf, I often refer to the Buddhist phrase, “sonomama” or simply see things as they are. Whether one has a good score or bad score, you have to accept the result of your game as your own karma. It is what it is and one can’t blame anyone other than yourself.
Life works in much the same way. The Buddhist descriptions of difficulties and sufferings in our lives are just like sand traps and rough greens on the golf course. We try to avoid and escape from these difficulties in our lives. However, we really can’t escape from them. We have to just accept and live with difficulty and suffering as part of our life. We must accept our life as it is.
However, similar to life, when true love finds our life, our ability to avoid and escape obstacles is significantly enhanced. Truthfully, the love found within the beauty of the golf swing is similar to Buddhism, Christian faith and many other religions. Love is universal and comes from the same source. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul beautifully illustrates love’s essential qualities’:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs … 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
If you’re patient, the level of golf and love will increase. If you’re not proud, your level of golf will expand. If you keep a list of no wrongs, your life and love will greatly enhance all whom you touch. If you protect and trust, your life will become fulfilled, both on and off the course.
Most of us try to force love, as if the deep spiritual connection can be fabricated. But if we stop our construction and creation, love becomes significantly easier. And in this acceptance, you will be surprised how many events of life become whole and simplistic.
All living creatures need nourishment. And with love, the body learns to sustain in ways that all may live. We can try to force our way into love, but the results are too restricting. Similarly, the same is true on a golf course. One can try to force our swing, but more often than not, we struggle against nature’s spirit and we fail miserably in our result.
There was a wonderful letter written by the character June Ellis, in The Doctor:
”There was a farmer who had a lot of fields, and he kept all of the birds and creatures away from his crops with traps and fences. He was very successful… but he was very lonely. So, one day, he stood in the middle of his fields to welcome the animals. He stayed there from dawn to dusk, with his arms outstretched, calling to them. But, not a single animal came. Not a single creature appeared. They were terrified, you see, of the farmer’s new Scarecrow… just let down your arms, and we’ll all come to you.”
People … real love is patient and kind. Stop trying so hard. Let your arms down. Love someone and spark a kinship destined for eternity.