matt
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Posts: 425
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Post by matt on Feb 21, 2014 3:13:13 GMT 1
Rudy, the Dutch speed skaters are really amazing. Is this a fun time to be from the Netherlands?
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matt
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Posts: 425
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Post by matt on Feb 22, 2014 18:38:19 GMT 1
I guess that sounded a little weird, are you following the games at all? ( is probably a better question.) I am watching them more than I ever have. I think I saw about 10 minutes of the Vancouver games, I don't remember Salt Lake at all, except for a few mentions in the news, I was in grad school in 2002, so I pretty much just found out there were games in Torino, but Sochi has really intrigued me for some reason. I think I started watching out of curiosity, because of the location, and then I got hooked. Its interesting how much I want to hope for the Americans to win. As a Buddhist I catch myself doing that and I think, why? But there is more of interest than just the competition. I admire the athletes expertise and discipline. And most of them seem to be really excited just to be there competing on the world stage, so to speak. It is kind of infectious.
And I like when that expertise exemplifies something of the culture, like speed skating for the Netherlands, and Biathlon for the Norwegians. Any way that is part of what I am curious about, is how you feel about it as a Dutch Buddhist, Rudy, are you interested in the games, or is it pretty boring to you? Normally I never watch sports. I used to like to play some when I was young, but I would rather do anything than watch them on TV.
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graham
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Post by graham on Feb 24, 2014 15:56:08 GMT 1
Apparently there are Tibetans buddhist who run hundreds of miles a day through the mountains to develop what I think is called a citta (?). I'd love to see them compete in the marathon, although that would likely be the antithesis to the purpose of their training.
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graham
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Post by graham on Feb 24, 2014 15:59:29 GMT 1
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matt
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Posts: 425
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Post by matt on Feb 25, 2014 1:56:42 GMT 1
Thanks, Grahm, that was an interesting read. I have heard of them, and as the article says there are other cultures that have something similar. American kids learn about the Inca message runners from the Peruvian Andes in school, for example.  |
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matt
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Posts: 425
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Post by matt on Feb 25, 2014 17:31:25 GMT 1
I just noticed Rudy has not posted for a couple of weeks. Are you alright, Rudy? Anyone heard from him?
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Post by Rudy on Feb 25, 2014 22:55:52 GMT 1
Hi Matt, sorry, but your question is really funny, as I happened to be in Italy for teachings But after the first speed skating event of the games it was already fun: all 3 medals on the 500 meters - a discipline in which we were always weak; very surprising indeed. But yes, it is a kind of national pet sport in Holland, and I'm quite happy with that, as almost all the rest of the sport attention goes to soccer here, which I consider not a sport but merely a very over-rated and over-paid profession... Actually, when I was small, the European and world championships of speed skating were a real winter event that filled the weekend with soup, brown bread and cheese, writing down the lap times (which were not yet given live on the screen) and cheering with every record-breaking lap, even if it was from a skater of another country. What I perhaps like even most about speed skating is the enthousiasm of the Dutch fans in international competitions: they cheer almost as loud for good skaters of other countries - I think that should be a teaching for much of the other sport activities world-wide. I'm pretty sure the great results are due to very hard training and lots of national support, especially mental. I suppose every country, especially when small, love to have something to be proud of. Better to have guys doing something silly like going round in circles on skates then fighting wars And yes, I think we perfected the siddhi of speed-skating  |
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matt
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Posts: 425
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Post by matt on Feb 25, 2014 23:48:51 GMT 1
And yes, I think we perfected the siddhi of speed-skating Definitely! That is very cool, thanks. I didn't realize the Netherlands has less the 17 million people. That is a very small country, and to win so many medals at the Olympics is amazing. Perhaps you heard that the Netherlands only sent 41 athletes to Sochi, and won 23 medals, wow. Its hard not to be excited about that as an American, I would think the Netherlands must be very happy with their team. |
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Post by Rudy on Feb 26, 2014 19:34:53 GMT 1
Absolutely, at the moment, they are dragged around the country from one celebration to the other; it might even be harder for them then the skating!  |
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