To play golf from the heart of the game is to come into alignment with a concentrated conscious connection to what it is all about. This is accomplished when we train ourselves to stay in a state of focus with the clarity of our intent and at the same time be accepting of a heartfelt, intuitive desire. Integrating the analytical mind with instinctive intelligence of the heart elevates capability to new levels of achievability.

We must not be distracted for a moment by reflections of past experience that we impose on the task. By breaking through these patterns and reactions we will become more response-able.By shifting from the head to the heart we become accepting, non-judgmental and begin to come into alignment with the truth in the consciousness that we seek.

We are now getting to the “heart of the matter.” Powerful, congruent alignment is now achievable through the mind, body, and spirit providing the gentle guidance of a rhythm from the heart.

As we discover more about what “it” is that lies within the heart of the game, we come to realize that “it” is not about the “doing,” but rather, allowing “it” to be done.

 

When we are able to move from our heads, through our bodies, directly to our heart we are no longer trying to accomplish our desired result by controlled doing.

Ultimately, heartfelt play leads us in the power filled realization of simply being connected in the moment. The fleeting momentary thoughts that plagued our conscious mind now shifts to a higher, freer sense of release. Now, the full power of concentrated contact is achieved. We have fully activated a human being that lies within the heart of our game’s spirit.

By focusing on our heartfelt emotions we are able to discover a still space where we can connect to the power of gentle guidance of intuitive, emotional resolve. Intuition can now be built through the sense of that stillness where focus can be totally achieved.

Heart connected purpose releases the spirited energy that activates a passionate relationship with the requirements of our game play.

 

We can now manifest the infinite possibilities that become believable and experience the power from the heart of authentic conscious awareness. We have opened the door to consciously living our game.

Coming in March…Living Golf Lessons from the Heart of the Game, Lesson #2 – The Power of Subconscious Acceptance.

]]> http://www.goingforeit.com/living-golf/feed/ 0 http://www.goingforeit.com/living-golf-introduction/ http://www.goingforeit.com/living-golf-introduction/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:00:14 +0000 Beth http://www.goingforeit.com/?p=1037 Lessons from the Heart of the Game  

The spiritual sense of the game inspired me to begin an enduring search for the deeper meaning of life and its relationship to the nature of my game.  

Evolution becomes a result of and not the purpose for the continuation of our deliberate efforts, as we plan and discover a true course of action.

 

Our course design is created in the blending of passion and purpose instilled in our individuality with an acceptance of the discoveries along the way. How we cope with challenges opens the opportunities during our journey. Rewards are recognized by the sense of satisfaction, through a spirit-based accomplishment, graciously accepted within the humility of a divine nature. All of the components of a well-planned game are provided with endless enjoyment through the many cycles of playful participation. Each round of golf opens the potential for a new and wondrous journey within the unrestricted nature of our design. Process and pursuit are supported by the intensity of passion and the clarity of purpose.

Setting a course with an authentic, personal design based on awakened intrinsic values, our nature is defined by cooperative melding within the game’s requirements.

We understand that this game, which we have the privilege to be part of, is truly more than just a recreational pastime. It is an adventure that continually challenges us and supports our personal vision. As we overcome self-doubt, and feel the exhilaration of accomplishment, we are provided with the hope and anticipation associated with each ball strike. The handicaps we place upon ourselves are overcome as we learn to be totally committed to and immersed in the aura of the game. Our character is structurally supported by the passion lying within the cornerstone of the course design. The secrets of the game unfold and unconditional acceptance of ease and grace is experienced in our play. This allows for a holistic connection to the why and allows mind, body, and spirit to become one with the game. We are now playing from the depths of our being, to the outer limits of our expanding ability. The search continues for the authentic acceptance of our relationship to the game. A sincere recognition of the successes along the path reaffirms our intent.  Unlocking ability, we expand beyond any limits of conscious awareness and accept life’s lessons.

We become conditioned with a peaceful acceptance of the golf process.

As our minds expand our conscious awareness becomes non-controlling and we gain a relaxed, playful nature.

We attain clarity within our conditional feeling, opening a response to the natural swing. We are now able to go fore it without the pressure of any artificial desire to control. Now, we experience the course that dreams are made of. As we refocus intent, and clear the way for our total commitment we are stimulated by and immersed in an optimal energy source.

With the realization of courage and confidence that is well supported, we can take on any challenge without anticipation of potential failure. The thinking process is elevated, but also stabilized with an acceptance, of an inner poise that is enhanced and supported by a spiritual connection.

Our course of action is well designed, allowing us to accept the best of what we have to offer. When we find a center, an inner desire to achieve a self-actualized commitment allows for an infinite journey. When we arrive, we find ourselves fully equipped, ready for departure to the next level of existence. Passion brings us complete understanding of the purpose, exemplifying our pursuit of the game. We move toward clarification of the processes often created to carry out the pursuit through our purposeful play. As we journey forward on a course set by the highest aspirations for successful outcome, our best efforts fulfill our expectations. Self-actualization becomes centered. Arriving now at the next door of opportunity we unlock and open ourselves for the newly discovered challenges that allows us to once again depart into the unknown realm of future existence.

Starting in January…Living Golf – Power Lessons from the Heart of the Game

Continuing the search for clarity of purpose we discover a need to carefully assess our current level of capability and realize the potential for future achievement and growth. If we open our imagination to envision a course of play where the greatest ambitions and aspirations are fully realized, inspiration is energized providing the acceptance of possible accomplishment.  The game of golf now presents the next level of acceptable challenge. Spiritual fulfillment comes with the expansion of playing capacity increasing and supporting a continued passionate involvement.

 

Passion and purpose are now united and set on a course that is clearly designed.

This establishes the necessary procedure to pave the way for an effortless pursuit of our ultimate hopes and dreams. Expansion of the vision of the possibilities strengthens our willful desire to overcome the challenges. A well defined course of action has now been thoughtfully laid before us. We are finally positioned to play away.

Taking the time to clarify and realistically examine our current ability level provides a motivational force that carries us forward. We make decisions to accept the challenge of rejecting any limit to a potential for growth. We push outside of the gravitational force of our comfort zone expecting nothing but the best results from our efforts. Thoughts become clear enough to accept a newly realized possibility of playing capability. Seeing ourselves in this new way, we open the spiritual connection that allows for a successful outcome. However, this is not easy. It still requires courage and tenacity, as well as the unfailing faith that our desire can be fulfilled.

During the weakest moments of hopelessness, which undoubtedly will come, our determination is challenged to the limit.

Each time we ask ourselves to dig deep, and take action to regenerate the momentum; we are lifted up over the next disappointing experience. All of this serves us well, but as we continue our achievements, we must be careful that selfish ego does not begin to distort the purpose and turn the dream into a nightmare. Individual integrity has to remain intact and true to our purposeful play. Then, hope and faith carries us to new levels of joy and satisfaction supporting the spiritual fulfillment of passionate involvement.

Many of my playing partners over the years, when confronted with challenges, have often responded in a reactionary fashion. This, for the most part, is a self-defeating and unconscious behavior. If they were to respond with clarity of focus that allowed for a deliberate action their aspirations might be carried out without overreacting. Now the dreamscape of possibilities can achieve a more powerful support. As we envision, wishing to achieve, and taking positive, decisive action we organize our efforts into a desire for accomplishment. Then, we systematically carry out our intentions with a preserving effort.

We open ourselves to the potential design of the proper course and focus on a tangible vision of a resulting expectation.

Dreams inspire us to believe that we have the potential to expand our abilities, and gain new levels of exhilaration. We chose to take decisive actions from our dreams in the hope of unlocking fundamental life forces which have a very positive effect on the evolution of our game play. Most of the outcomes in life begin with a decision to no longer tolerate our present condition or circumstance. As we look forward, we decide not to accept our current standard of play. Instead we take on the challenge of pursuing a new level of achievement. We begin expecting to arrive on the course of our dreams, realizing the capacity and potential lying at the fundamental root of our purpose.

The clarity of desire will ultimately influence the joyful quality of the life we chose to live.

When the energy is obstructed by fear, anxiety, or worry, it becomes misdirected into defensive, manipulative, or protective postures. Our spirit is susceptible to discontent, illness, and lack of holistic connection with the life force. When we fully realize the power of the force within us, the experiences of golfing adventures continue to expand. An energy release becomes a conscious part of our everyday play, expanding exponentially. Properly focused, we witness the infinite potential hidden within finite existence.

When we are indecisive or protective, we are exposed to unresolved disturbances to our spirit, infringing upon the passion with self-doubt. Our mind needs to be trained to become non-judgmental in order to release the growing preparation and play. We must not be focused or concerned for the outcome. The energy field opens and expands the life force.

When energy is released, proper intent and the timing of the results seem effortless in support of the purpose they serve. The resulting good fortune aligns with the change of consciousness within.

 

 

As we play golf, we travel through a range of emotions, which challenge any sane person’s capacity to remain rational and stretch the capabilities of even the most gifted of psychologists. We must find methods that allow us to maintain composure in the midst of emotional shifts that impinge upon our spirit to the point of despair. The potential drain on spiritual energy brings us to our knees begging for mercy. We must find ways to maintain a true, rational mind, one that is in control of our emotions as we think logically, defining thought processes, and allowing for a flow of intuitive understanding.

Golf requires an attitude of optimistic, rational thought that keeps emotional reaction at bay.

We must acquire the ability to raise an inner strength of character and tap the highest qualities of the whole person. It is only through the difficulties challenging us where opportunity provides the change to overcome the adversities and connect with our higher self. When passion is strong the feeling of wholeness continues to support the integrity of our efforts. We move ever closer to the discovery of the secret which connects golf with the life force that sustains and guides us.

 Becoming a good ball striker is more than mastering the basic mechanics of the swing that has been covered thus far. We are consistently challenged to make adjustments in search of a better result. To achieve consistency of contact, we must develop a sensibility that allows for a fluid motion, which coordinates all parts of the body in a seamless, coordinated movement creating maximum club head speed at impact. This is what we call feel. This attitude that lurks within the mind, coupled with the combined construct of rhythm, tempo, and timing, work in concert to produce this quality of flow. Our body, mind, and spirit must be in proper balance in executing every swing from the booming tee shot down to the more delicate three inch putt. To achieve this, our mind-set must be openly accepting and aware of the process while at peace with the requirements of the intended result.

Wanting desire for success must yield to the intuitive sensibility of process as we pursue our goal with passionate determination for the connection to the purpose.

Once again, we return to this premise that serves us well in our quest for achieving anything in life. To analyze how these elements of a fluid golf swing connect, I suggest a methodology that is adaptable to the requirements of solid ball striking. When we understand and have had reasonable success with the development of a swing that is generated from shoulder turn rather than arm and hand control, we are prepared to apply an acceptance of rhythm, timing, and tempo.

These three aspects, when joined with an attitude that is not imposing on our strong willful desire to control results, allows for the proper development of a psychological acceptance of the ease of flow that we seek.

 

 

Through my studies in Eastern philosophy and meditation, I have discovered a process that helps us create a repeatable, effortless motion in our swing. This procedure automatically coordinates the levers of shoulders, hips, legs, arms, wrists, and hands, which allow for the consistency we are trying to achieve. As we pursue the connection that is desired, we cannot let a constant flood of indecisive thoughts overtake our deliberate actions. We must find a method of putting the brain at rest in an accepting manner, rather than an all-controlling one. We have an opportunity to learn how to elicit a peaceful state of non-controlling flow when we call upon some of the methods used in meditative practices.

Starting with the breathing process mentioned earlier, we see ourselves at address position open to the starting point of the swing. If, from this point, we could hold onto a specific rhythm count as the swing proceeds, our body movement falls into a pattern of motion that can be automatically coordinated. The mind could then stop its desire to make momentary judgments during the process of the swing. The complete movement is timed in a three count structure related to the take away on one, top of the back swing on two, and the downswing and follow through on three. This three count assures a slower backswing and a continual acceleration down from the top, through impact, on to the extension and follow through. Going one step further, I have found that if I utilize specific words that relate to the process of the swing, I can create a mantra that effectively programs the subconscious mind and thereby produces the proper timing of a repetitive swing. I suggest the word back for the one-count, which describes and creates a command for proper takeaway and backswing. At the top of the swing, we say to ourselves the word and for the transition position on the two count. The down swing and extension beyond the ball position utilizes the word through which suggests hitting through the ball, rather than at the ball, as so many players mistakenly believe is necessary. Once the player is able to internalize this approach, a rhythmic efficiency that produces consistent results has a profound effect on a repeatable outcome. Beginner and advanced students alike see significant improvement utilizing this procedure.

Having a consistent process in the pursuit of any endeavor always provides the structural support that we need for a belief systems to accept our capability.

 

 

Self-doubt is overcome in accordance with what psychology accepts in the consistency of our performance. Flow in life is achievable if the methods are put into proper alignment with desired intentions of clear purpose. As we continue a properly manifested pursuit of success, we are assured that the passion for golf, life, and living promotes longevity through effortless, flowing motion.

While we properly adopt a pre-shot preparation, we open our sensitivity to the requirements of the moment and tap into an intuitive understanding of precisely what it takes to carry out the intent.

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

Every player eventually decides on the structure of their own personal routine. However, we need to know the fundamental elements that should always be part of any good procedure. First and foremost, we must check the position of the ball. Depending on the lie, a decision should be made as to what type of shot and club selection would be most advantageous. It is important to realize that distance from the intended target is not always the ultimate consideration. Once the club choice is made, then we begin to activate an imaginative capacity in order to pre-condition our sensitivity to the expected outcome. At the start of each hole, the process of imagination begins before the ball is even placed on the tee. We must look out to our intended target and assess the pros and cons that the design of each hole presents. This determines which side of the tee box would be the most appropriate to hit from.

It is imperative that we become willing to trust our sensibility.

Once comfortable with our club choice and ball position, we can move onto the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the shot.

I often hear my students express concern for ability to aim properly. Consistently I discover that their problem is actually with alignment to the intended target. The idea of aiming has a destructive effect in that it enhances our misguided thoughts of steering the ball to its target. We must trust our set up and alignment, providing for a proper swing path. This process allows the ball to travel on the pre-conceived, intended line of flight established during the pre-shot routine. We are now able to achieve consistent placement of our body position and provide the structural relationship to the ball. Our swing path enables the club face to remain square to the line of flight through impact and produce the maximum force at the moment of contact. Imagining the flight of the ball allows for a pre-conditioned capability to achieve the desired result. This is a key component to the consistency of outcome.

If we can foster the habit of lining up our shot from behind the ball, we will be properly positioned to allow a natural acceptance of the projection of the ball flight.

To accomplish this, we need to place ourselves in a position that would be the third point in a straight line about six to ten feet behind the ball. Once this is established, we can now visualize the flight of the ball as we move slowly to the set up position. We now begin to place ourselves into alignment, being careful not to set our feet first. Instead, we need to place the clubface square or perpendicular to our perceived line of flight.

 

Our feet can now be properly positioned in relationship to the ball parallel to the target line.

It is important to reduce tension by calling on our meditative capabilities to block out all other distractive energies. A deep breath is helpful to allow a settling in the process of acceptance that is required for the careful clearing of our mind. Now we can slip into a state of relaxed certainty that is necessary to become poised and ready for the well structured take away as the backswing begins. Procedures that are consistently established and adhered to in a routine fashion build upon a process of purposeful intent that lies at the cornerstone of the growth and capability in our pursuit. The initial efforts before we swing the club are the determining factor of success or failure. Now, the purpose becomes clear through our pre-shot process as part of our consistent routine of continued pursuit.

Moment of Truth

With proper consideration for the set up complete, we are in correct position for that decisive commitment that we have continually rehearsed. Our minds must now be cleared of thoughts as we slip into the moment of meditative relaxation that supports the congruent, peaceful acceptance of positive outcome. At this point, we have done everything possible to prepare our mind, body, and spirit for the moment of truth. We are now grounded and ready for take away. Staying relaxed and poised at this critical point requires a disciplined, repetitive procedure on the practice tee.

Play on the course needs to be connected with the freedom of the practice range where we always have an opportunity to correct our mistakes.

 

We all have within us limitless organizing potential to tap into a collective wisdom that has been planted in our brain cells.

Through years of experience both conscious and subliminal we have been branded with a source of divine guidance. It is possible to call up this source from parts of our being that will appear just when they are needed most. If we can first realize that anything is possible, begin to believe that the possibilities are truly limitless and then our faith can be vitalized to a point of accepting the unlimited capability that we possess.

As we begin to disconnect from the limitations that have been imposed upon us by outside interference of rules, regulations, and requirements we begin to access an inner authority that permits the release of our authenticity. Now, our golf game becomes a pure reflection of who we truly are. A trust in our game begins to materialize as we move deeper into the flow zone of purposeful play, as we release ourselves from the need for perfection.

 

We are now tapping into the quantum realm of infinite potentiality.

Almost like being outside of ourselves, our spirit reaches into the power of a force that is greater than any that we can impose. Our stroke becomes effortless and our ball striking becomes pure. Golf club and ball become one at the moment of impact, as they join in harmonious explosion of energy producing joy filled, soaring flight. All that we have hoped for has been realized.

Each time that we reach this position of oneness we are prepared to move on to the next level of accomplishment. It is never ending. The vastness of the quantum field of energy will continue to penetrate our spirit with stronger desire, motivation, and intent leading to endless expansion of optimal achievability. The experiences of having limitless resources always available and present are called upon automatically by the law of attraction.If we place our requirements out to the cosmic connection of the universe – all that we need in golf or life will be revealed to us. Go fore it!It is yours to be had.

 

 

If you can conceive your grandest dreams, you will begin to perceive them.

As you attempt to achieve with patience and perseverance, eventually you will begin to believe in your full potential. Now you will receive all that is necessary for realization of the infinite possibilities that run through your chosen course of play. If you become deceived in your quest for acquisition and ownership do not worry. The final victory comes in the retrieval process.

Remember to always play your own game from the heart.