Snowflake 0 #1 April 5, 2003 Just got this from a good friend who kayaks and thought it was pretty cool QuoteAll dangerous sports have their transformative aspects in terms of boundaries crossed, limitations transcended, and perceptions gained. A certain amount of risk is a basic evolutionary need of our species, an essential ingredient in every life. Tension between high skill and carefully calculated risk is what creates exhilaration and health. All forms of exercise are excellent, but risk exercise is essential. We need no roundabout theories to explain the fascination with death and the salutary effects of calculated risk. We simply must remember that. from the vantage point of embodied consciousness, death provides us with our clearest connection with the eternal." The terror of death is ubiquitous and of such magnitude that a considerable portion of one's life energy is consumed in the denial of death. Death transcendence is a major motif in human experience. There are several modes by which man attempts to achieve symbolic immortality. Consider their pervasive cultural implications: (1) the biological mode -- living on through one's progeny, through an endless chain of biological attachments; (2) the theological mode -- living on in a different, higher plane of existence; (3) the creative mode -- living on through one's works, through the enduring impact of one's personal creation or impact on other; (4) the theme of eternal nature -- one survives through rejoining the swirling forces of nature; and (5) the experiential transcendental mode -- through 'losing' oneself in a state so intense that time and death disappear and one lives in the continuous present. The last two are present on every kayak trip, and every jump you take, though other modes may apply as well. I thought it was the beer transformativing me. Most of this thinking can be attributed to the philosopher Carl Jung, and yet he never kayaked or skydived, kind of makes your head hurt when you think about it.? Huh, Todd Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brokeneagle 0 #2 April 5, 2003 's a good theory on that perspective of thought about our sport, I wonder if he would mean to attempt to apply it to all that participate in dangerous/extreme sports, tho, for some of us do these things for very different reasons, eh?...Brokeneagle. I'm really very gentle, no matter what my kung-fu teacher says... he is giving me a reputation I do not deserve! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shabakazaa 0 #3 April 5, 2003 Quote(5) the experiential transcendental mode -- through 'losing' oneself in a state so intense that time and death disappear and one lives in the continuous present. The fifth is my domain. I dig that shit. Man, it's fucking awesome. Damn. Think about it. The continuous present... Fuckin' awesome. Then again... GravitY sets in... Heh. GravitY RuleS. Really. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unutsch 0 #4 April 5, 2003 have you ever tryed transcendental meditation? it rocked my world, and scarred the shit out of me at the time i was "experimenting" with it... i guess i was just too young than and that i should try it again now that i'm older (but by far not smarter ) Check out the site of the Fallen Angels FreeflY Organisation: http://www.padliangeli.org Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,534 #5 April 5, 2003 That was really good. Jung rocks. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FliegendeWolf 0 #6 April 5, 2003 Quote(4) the theme of eternal nature -- one survives through rejoining the swirling forces of nature; and (5) the experiential transcendental mode -- through 'losing' oneself in a state so intense that time and death disappear and one lives in the continuous present. These themes are particularly present in my consciousness right now as I am working on a term paper on Mahler's Das Lied von Der Erde, and the final movement, "Der Abschied" is about death as an ecstatic union with the eternity of nature. For those of you that are into classical music (and even those who aren't) I recommend taking a listen to this piece. The ending is absolutely amazing!A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
