Mother Rectoress reflects on Jo's 'Night in the Ring'

I read with interest Jo's article http://www.fatherdave.org/article/article_898.html at Father Dave's website regarding her experience with boxing and how facing an opponent in the ring offered her parallels in life to the way we deal with issues in our life.

I really liked the concept that boxing forces you to focus on the now, how you will respond rather than who your ego thinks you are - that in the ring, pretence is not an option, running away is not an option and isolation (without relationship) is not an option. I hope I understood you correctly Jo?

I wanted to respond as it struck me that for many of us there are many situations that get us there. For me it is singing. i.e. I cannot be better than I am in a performance (even if I wish I was), I cannot fall apart, I cannot ignore my audience and the way my insecurities may affect their experience. (Let me say I am no accomplished singer though I wish I was. It gets me there all the same.) I believe this is why reality TV has taken off. Survivor, Biggest Loser etc. They all push people beyond their boundaries, beyond choices that help us avoid, beyond pretence. The survival drive is essential to lift us above our insecurities and ego's and that's why we love it. They take us for a time beyond ourselves and yet offer a reflection of ourselves at the same time in the way we respond. Love it!

A recent documentary by Ewan McGregor on his motorcycle trip around the world also touched on this when he said the bit he loves most is when all he can think about is riding and surviving the bends. That there is no room for anything else can be of great relief to us and very necessary to us at points in our life.

Our safe, well informed lives have protected us from the buzz of the here and now in so many ways. In today's world we do not need to face emotional conflict one on one if we don't want to. Hey we don't even fight wars face to face anymore. For many of us we don't have to worry about food or shelter, we don't have to engage in our own physical well being very much, and our professional lives have enabled us to disengage with others in the name of professionalism. This has effectively disconnected us from ourselves and the need for others to such an extent that depression is on the rise.

My advice, get in the ring or find your precipice and enjoy the buzz of the tenuous nature of life and enjoy the ride.

Thanks Jo for verbalising your insight so openly!