"One truly is the protector of oneself; who else could the protector be? With oneself fully controlled, one gains a mastery that is hard to gain." - Dhammapada 160

Tiger Woods is acknowledged by most as the best golfer in the world at the moment. Not only has he a superb natural physical capacity to play the game, but also, more important to me, he has a wonderful mental and emotional "head-game".

A great deal of his capability is between his ears - in his mind. I have often wondered if his Thai Buddhist mother has influenced his way of being and his obvious mindfulness when he plays this game.

I, on the other hand, am not a natural sportswoman; I have to work very hard at my game of golf and at any other sport. However, I try to understand my golf head-game as much as I try to understand my "life head-game", as that is what mindful living is all about.

I was well over 40 years of age when my husband decided he wanted to play more of his greatest passion in life, the game of golf, as well as become a member of a golf club.

However, he told me the only way he would do this was if I joined too, as he didn't want me to be a golf widow. So, although I knew nothing about the game, I said I would take up the challenge - and what a challenge it has been!

What happened next was I received a set of golf clubs as my Christmas gift from my (somewhat over-zealous) husband, not exactly the present most women want, particularly if they have never played the game.

I didn't know the difference between a putter and a driver, however, I pretended to be pleased and excited with my gift. Now the game was about to begin!

As anyone who has ever played golf knows, it is the most humbling of games. I like to think of the game of golf as analogous to the game of life. Sometimes it is wonderful, sometimes it is frustrating and sometimes it is just plain terrible!

But how we react to it is usually very similar to how we react to our everyday lives. I watch with fascination as so many of my golfing buddies show me the way they live their lives as I watch them play their game of golf.

There are the competitive folk who are only satisfied with win/lose, never happy with win/win. They appear to want to win so badly that some are even happy when others are having a horrible game of golf that day.

There are the oh-so-serious ones, who play golf as though it was the most important event in the world. There are the ones who are more interested in having fun with fine company and those whose idea of a good game of golf is only what is for lunch afterwards. There are those who berate themselves every time they make a poor shot. There are those who pressure their partners with their own playing psychology and words. There are those who encourage you and those who don't.

As with living styles, there are all sorts of golf players. So what is the "Zen of Golf", and how can I find peace and happiness on the golf course (and in life)? By playing the game mindfully! Perhaps I may share a few ideas with you.

Of course, these may be applied to any other sport or to just plain day-to-day living. One of the ways to improve the bodily side of golf is to practice, something I personally do not like to do! So this to me doesn't mean hours on the range or putting green, but some mental movements or visualisation which I feel certainly helps the golf swing.

Another thing I do is use the time on the golf course as a walking meditation from shot to shot, so instead of allowing my mind to worry about my game or anything else, I just walk and follow my breath. However, I truly believe the game of golf, and life, is played mostly in our heads. So, just as in life, I play the game moment-by-moment, shot-by-shot.

If we live in the past - tormenting ourselves about our last awful shot - or worry about the next one, then we miss the wonders of nature that surrounds us on the golf course, or the lovely company of the people we are playing with. I totally believe that gratitude goes a long way to making this game wonderful.

I am always just so grateful that I have the energy to be able to walk the 18 holes. I am often so thankful that I can still see the ball and the beautiful scenery surrounding the golf course. I also sometimes tell myself that on my deathbed I shall not be at all concerned with what my score was on such and such a day in the year 2000-and-whatever!

As they say, in the big picture it just doesn't matter. Just like some of the greatest and noisiest tennis players in the world, I always make sure that I take a deep breathe out before I swing at the ball.

This not only relaxes my muscles, but also allows me to fully be aware of my golf swing. It gives me mastery over that moment, then I breath again and there is the next moment. Just as in life I can always begin anew in the next moment, so to me each golf shot is only another golf shot.

I do my best, however, if it doesn't work out, I am not too upset by it. After all, there is always the next shot. By being mindful I truly am protecting myself from upset and unhappiness. By being fully controlled in my mind, I gain a mastery that is hard to gain.

Everyday I am thankful that I am trying to lead a more mindful way of living.

@EDITRULE:

The Mindfulness Practice Community of Bermuda meets every Sunday evening to support each another in the Zen practice of living consciously in the present moment.E ALL are welcome to join us any Sunday. Please contact us by email at iamhomeibl.bm or call 236-4988. You may also visit www.plumvillage.org for more information on these Zen teachings