The Tao of Distance Running - # 67

Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.

                                                                      *

~

We give ourselves to the earth - each step a

brief caress continued to a stride.

And the world is given in

return.

Grace belongs to those who give.

Be kind. Running is a gift we give to ourselves and in return the world responds to this act of self-care. Being compassionate to ourselves during a long run or race takes some awareness - we are programed to push past pain and self-imposed limitations. This isn't a bad thing. Yet if we do it as a form of self-punishment we are defeating the purpose of what running has to offer. Sometimes denying ourselves a momentary pleasure is compassionate. Pushing ourselves in exploring an unknown distance or faster pace could also be a caring gift. We need to ask ourselves if we are giving or inflicting - the act of giving is of spirit and a light shines from the heart that gives. To inflict is to bring the ego to play and it's a finite game that leaves us empty and dry. Giving is our link to the infinite and the more we give the more we have to give. Allow every step to be an act of kindness - a singular moment that joins us to the world - at once both gift and giver.

Peace,

Eric

*Portion of the Tao Te Ching translated by Stephen Mitchell