The Best Marathon in America

…. just happens to be in Missoula. I think I might just have to run it.

And that gets me thinking about all the effort that will require – training again for months ahead of time, taking care of injuries and being mindful to avoid them to begin with.

Among the many great articles posted yesterday in our first ever Buddho-Blogging Article Swap was a great one by Adam, suggesting that while Buddhism and “enlightenment” are being packaged and sold like mad these days, the real stuff requires work. I couldn’t agree more.

While I’m usually my harshest critic and see myself as relatively lazy, I do find it helpful sometimes to reflect a bit on the work I’ve managed to put into these last few years.

• I ran a marathon this year, as well as two half-marathons in the past, even winning an award in the second of those. For a guy who was diagnosed as flat-footed (actually I just have very low arches) at age 17, that ain’t bad.
• I’ve inched my way to within sight of a Ph.D. I love school, but at times it’s very hard; and at times very lonely. There aren’t a lot of people to talk about Buddhist Ethics with in Missoula, Montana (which makes me all the more grateful for the web and the many great people I’ve met through it).
• I’ve stretched myself across four and a half sanghas in this little city: the local Vipassana group on Mondays and the Campus Sangha on Tuesdays at my and Julie’s place. Then there’s the FWBO on Wednesdays, which is where I began my meditation 9 years ago but I don’t get to much these days. And the Zen group which meets on Mondays and Tuesdays so I never get to sit with them except on retreats. And lastly the Nyingma Tibetans up at Ewam and Lama David Curtis, who I see every now and then.

I think that’s enough for now. And while I do want to give the caveat that I’ve had help at every stage from countless hands, seen and unseen, it all required steady effort on my part. I didn’t give up on the marathon when my knee hurt; I haven’t given up on Ph.D. studies when overwhelmed with “life” or enticed by other, more immediate pursuits, and I don’t plan on giving up my web of sangha-connections here in Missoula even if we disagree about practice, philosophical understandings, or anything else.

I am deeply grateful for all who have supported me and pushed and pulled along the way. I don’t want this to come off as an ego-trip. But, as Adam says, “It is only through diligent practice and experience that any transformation can occur.” In a society so full of instant gratification, this is a point that cannot be made too often (the other point needed is “acceptance,” as many people will see the need for effort and feel overwhelmed or beat themselves up – these two, while seemingly contradictory are actually complimentary; a subject for future musing).

So, as I sit in my warm, sunny office, looking out upon a cold Missoula day, I think about Adam’s words: diligent practice, experience, and transformation. I’ve found that with running, studies, or meditation, there is no end to the practice, experience, or transformation. So now, as much as ever, I need to summon up my energy to get up off my lazy butt and get back to work.

(many thanks to my good friend Jen for forwarding me the Missoula Marathon story)