I have been around the bodybuilding scene for many years now and have experienced a number of changes at competition level. There is no doubt in my mind that the standards have hit new levels for everyone concerned in an event and that the evolution of my sport continues and that the results seen will always get better.
I love to go and watch other people competing at international levels and I will always make my own personal opinion on the possible outcome, but there is one thing I will always resign myself from doing and that is judging other people.
I would not like to under any circumstances be seen to be criticising the brave judges at any point in this article as I more than anyone understand the pressure that they are put under. You see their results will give some guys the best sponsorship deals and all the other commercial perks that are involved are the losers will end up with nought. Good old Arnold was virtually set up for life by a panel of judges and I am sure he wouldn't be where he is today if they had opted for another bodybuilder.
To be quite frank with you I am not really sure what the exact percentage of bodybuilders is that train with the sole objective of competing in physique contests. I am pretty sure it is a very small amount as the majority of bodybuilders will have varying alternative targets from rehab, to just getting better in their chosen major sport. Many will just want to get fitter or stronger or just improve their own physique standard, gain or lose weight, as well as just adding some muscle.
Arnold was an exception to the rule as he knew from his very first squat and dead lift that he wanted to become the world's best bodybuilding champion. The normal guy in the gym bodybuilder these types of physique contests are something that figures in the very backs of their mind and probably get really pissed off with their over coverage in the muscle mags. In fact if you look around most gyms there is probably only one guy who is suitable for this type of competition even if it only is only at local level. (Coming soon Part 2)
When we think in terms of roles in life, we split ourselves up into parts ? a father role, a mother role, a teacher role, a student role ? we are not our whole self. Many times, we feel the pressure of social expectations which cause us to believe that we must remain within these roles. However, true expression, intimacy, learning, and healing for ourselves and others cannot come from separating ourselves into parts. It can only come from being touched and touching others in the deepest possible way so that our presence with them, even for a moment, makes a difference.
To step out of a role is not an easy thing but it is a simple one. We need to think of ourselves as souls, here to serve the purposes of love and healing for the earth and for ourselves. To see love as the primary purpose that we bring to all situations, no matter how rule-bound or role-bound they may be, is to strive within each one to make of it a moment of meaning.
Sometimes the access route is through the eyes of another. When we look in another's eyes, we see and are seen. And what we see depends very much upon whether we are operating out of fear or out of love. If we are operating out of fear, we may see judgment, distance, or coolness in another. If we are operating out of love, we will see the beauty of the soul of another. This cannot help but be true, for each human being is a soul, come to the earth with gifts of great beauty. And so if we look with the eyes of love, we will see the soul of love in return.
Often, courage is needed to remain in a place of integrity and wholeness when others around us are not. Often, we must remind ourselves of the purpose for doing so ? the purpose for remaining true to ourselves at all times. This purpose has a deep spiritual taproot. It is the root of our knowing that we are unique in all the universe and that the space we occupy cannot be filled by anyone else.
To be true to ourselves, it is often helpful to breathe with awareness ? to breathe, and to feel the life of God filling us so that we become an extension of all that is pure and holy and loving. If we are not connected to this greater life, we are more vulnerable to the imagined or real shortcomings that we may feel on the level of the personality. If we are connected, there are no longer shortcomings, there is just love to be shared in all situations, all of the time.
The recognition of the greater Life that is expressing within the physical is the key that unlocks the door to being present. For this greater life flows through us and through all else. It is the ground of our being and the reason we were created. We are expressions of the One, manifesting in an utterly unique and irreplaceable way. Being faithful to that understanding means that we must be ourselves as an expression of honoring the gift of life. When we hold this in mind and heart, we can learn to lead a seamless life, one in which we are, at each moment, fully present, fully alive, and fully ourselves.
Both Mick Hart & Julie Redstone are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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