A Round of Silence / The Home Course Study

Merge with the infinite. Ride the radiant energy as it spirals out into spacious emptiness. Embrace the sensations of a sustained exuberance. Now realize, this is you playing golf, glistening in satori.

To wrap your mind around these words and grasp the intended meaning may require leaving Kansas (or reading on.) It’s onward and inward, to a place where imagination has dominion. It’s time to suspend rational logic, all modes of trying, and give a shout out to the whimsical. I’m proposing playing Golf spiced up with more of a transcendental flavor, where-by experiencing a round of golf elevates one’s consciousness, or at least presents the opportunity.

This brings us to a golf program that’s been in the developmental phase since 1985, it’s called “A Round of Silence”. I recently signed a contract with Rita of Stellar Bookings to bring this program to a world wide audience. Inspiration whispered that the friends at the 19th Hole could provide an honest sounding board. My intent is to give you segments of the workshop that you can immediately plug into your game. I look forward to hearing from those of you who join in and care to comment.

A.R.O.S. Present Presence What’s happening? This is a door opening question, one that I urge you to ask often. What’s happening in your mind and body during a round of golf—more specifically—while the other player is hitting their shot? This is your first assignment-- To simply monitor your body (posture, weight distribution, etc.), and what’s happening in your mind (thoughts, images, etc.), in that space of time when the other golfer is in their pre-shot routine until the moment they’re done with the shot? To clarify—you observe how you’re occupying your mind and body during the time the other golfer/golfer’s are in their pre-shot routine until their done swinging. As you pay attention and sharpen your observation skills you may recognize certain patterns.

Mundane Questions:
Thinking-- Are you thinking about that last shot, last hole, last… (past); or how on the next shot you’re going to… (future); or thinking “look at how many times this guy waggles, hello Mr. Taking Forever” (present, with judgement); I should be… instead of being here playing golf (the doubter). Feeling-- I’m standing predominantly on my left leg (weight is forward towards toes), my head is tilted to the left, my shoulders are hunched, and I tend to hold my breath.

The Connection: When you become observant of your thoughts and actions, you are being conscious. This is a present time experience. Being present is being consciously aware, a very powerful place to be. When you infuse this energy into a clear intent of purpose, welcome to Vitality.

MEMBERS COMMENTS VIEWING 1 - 2 OUT OF 2 COMMENTS From: ronvalentine 12/20/2007 07:02:12 Bill, Bill, Bill, Wonderful thought to take to the course. I really do think about that a lot due to wanting to focus more sharply intune with my body and swing at time of executing the shot. I realize that after watching Mr. Woods at the Sherwood Target Tourney, that he is sooo in tune with his body and soul it is incredible. As for me well, I am definently lacking. I am a scratch golfer,who has tried to qualify for Nationwide Tour before as well as PGA back in the early 90's. I do not think about past bad shots. There is nothing I can do about that, it is done, move on and make the next shot a better one.( There is more than 1 way to skin a cat). I really only think "smooth" when I am over the ball getting ready to execute my shot. BUT sometimes and I dont know why, music will start playing in my head, and I can't find the off button. While approaching the green I am looking at slopes and the best place for me to leave the ball for the straightest possible putt. Yes sometimes while in the fairway I do think "this guy is taking too long and I am getting a little squirmish. I try to look at the trees and birds and enjoy the view before I need to go into the "sniper mode" as I like to call it. I do not get out a lot anymore due to supporting a family. I do go to the range twice a week during my lunch hour and 1 other day I will putt. I have 2 weighted clubs at home that I swing on a nightly basis to keep my head into it as well as my groove. When I do get onto a course I usually  play now with my friends who are anywhere between a 10 & 25 hdpc. I would love to be able to focus like I did back in the early 90's and really feel my shot before I hit it. I do have a pre-shot routine of standing behind the ball, seeing somewhat of me hitting the shot, watching the ball take off towards my target, landing and rolling up next to it. I realize at 42 years of age with a bad back I will not hit the ball 300 yds but I do know that I can hit it more solidly. I am just a little lost right now with making that crisp contact. People always tell me ,"Ron you have the smoothest swing around I wish I had it you are so effortless". But I am just not scoring well with it. I am very happy with my putting stroke, but have some problem on the green which I post help in a forum section. Waiting for any replys on that one. Any insight would be helpful and thank you. From: AceGirl 12/19/2007 11:04:12 Great blog! I can't wait to try this. I don't know what I think about half the time on the golf course....work, relationships, shoe sales, could my ball have gone any futher left....maybe this is part of my problem, ya think? haha! AG