The Beautiful Game

There are two things that can connect two strangers from any part of the world....Music and Football.Although i got nothing against cricket,football truly is my favourite game.Its a universal sport and anyone on the planet can play it,enjoy the sport.

Now for something good from P Venkatesh( its actually a part of an article i saved from Times of India...i just had to post this)

An individual remains unfit for the spiritual journey without the requisite physical and mental strength.Vivekananda said "You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Bhagavad Gita".A player`s patience and preserverance is tested on the football field at every moment;the ability to wriggle out of tough situations and hold on to one`s nerves in tight situations.A seeker ,too,has to undergo such trials during the inward game of realisation.

Look at football as a metaphor for life.the ball is the individual`s ego.The team members are family and friends;trust in teammates is the foundation of a good relationship and helps the player win the match of happiness.The opposition players are obstacles like anger,pride,hatred,that must be overcome to reach the goalpost.The goal post is the universal consciousness to which a person must ultimately submit the ego,to achieve true bliss.The coach is the guru who teaches the way and the player learns from his mistakes on the field.The referee is the law of karma that reinforces the correct rules for playing.The audience is society that reacts to performance on the field.As in life,a game that has started must end.As long as the person is in the game,one gets the illusion of limited time and space.Only when the game gets over;does one realise the limitlessness of time and space.

Every player is assigned a particular role on the field according to his skills-forward,midfielder and defender or golakeeper.Similarly,in life we have designated roles.our capabilities and choices determine the contribution we make to the world through our work.Like a player who can manoeuvre the ball on the field,a person has the free will to choose his thoughts,words and actions.Football is meditation 'on the run'.A player is always 'in the moment' for the entire duration of play.The player has no thought of past and no use for future,as all the scoring
opportunities are created in the 'now'.

Football teaches one to be a good spectator,one who watches the game with passionate detachment.For him,an exiciting football match is only that-a game.Wins or losses,even for his favourite team,do not bother him.A GOOD spectator is like a joyful observer of life; he witnesses events around him as they come and go,and remains detached as he is always centered in
truth.

Today,football is a faith binding a legion of followers across the world.People,irrespective of their religions,nationalties and cultures,are tuning in simultaneously to watch live football.If this is not
universal brotherhood,what else is?

---from 'Bend it like Beckham and Mend it like Football'

Football really is greater than a sport...it is a way of life. It helps in dissolving boundaries
...even two individuals who dont speak the same language
can be great on the field...its just a different form of communication...
wonder what will happen after hundred yrs or so...different evolutionary processes would have taken place...some such that players can communicate telephatically.Even now when u look at the europeans(or players paying in europe)they have tremendous amount of strength....compare their stamina with any other layers from different parts of the world...it will be greater in most cases....of course stamina isnt just required vision and skill are very necessary which are abundant in south american players.
I cant imagine the changes after a few years as in if u look at the pace at which the game is played(especially in europe and spanish leagues).its just frantic to watch and sometimes even
we get tried looking at the quality and events taking place
in a single game.....the players put their body through a lot.....and their efforts should be applauded.I truly respect the beautiful game and people participating in it...

Even when u watch the successive games between two teams from different part of the world u can recognize the difference in their play,abilities mainly becoz of difference in culture

To the beautiful game which is much more than money,fame,tackles,goals,etc...
its just that a beautiful game.The simplest of all games which has become a way of life for so many.I hope i like it for a long time.