"...exercise is not purely physical, as if we might carve off the flesh,
leaving the spirit behind. And this is a crucial philosophical message:
of wholeness. The human condition involves a continual to-and-fro
between the body and the mind. In fact, the nouns make these aspects of
self seem more divided than they are. Thinking is embodied, and acting
is mindful. We are not a ghost in a machine, to use philosopher Gilbert
Ryle's phrase: we are bodies, and these bodies are conscious...
...For example, swimming can evoke the sublime, and gesture at the
precariousness of human life. As the ancient Greek poets remind us,
sprinting can prompt pride: not simply in fast legs or fit lungs, but in
the commitment to striving before mortality claims us. Regular jogging
can promote consistency of character, and keep us from losing the plot.
Rock climbing can encourage humility and caution: attention to our
flaws, and to the subtle details of rock or wall. This state-of-mind
then allows "flow" to arise: we feel free, timeless, as we skilfully
negotiate a challenging task. Ballet and karate can turn pain into a
curious pleasure – we choose bruised ribs and aching toes over a life of
anaesthetised comfort.
The point is not that we have to be Olympians, tracking personal
bests with tailored dawn training schedules. We need not be the fastest,
strongest or most agile. The point is that exercise can be a commitment
to wholeness; to a life enriched and enhanced by physical and mental
striving. Darwin was no professional athlete: but he knew about fitness
and flourishing."
LOVE this article from Damon Young at The Guardian.
Click HERE to read it in full.
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