Who Wins?

We are very much in the season of sporting endeavour here in the UK now. It is all happening—Wimbledon tennis with Andy Murray defending his title, the Tour de France cycling championship beginning soon in the North of England, and of course the World Cup football well underway.

Sport has a profound effect on many of us. It seems to bring up very deep emotions of national pride and the desire for one’s own team to win, (or the individual athlete we might support). Some people might think that it is part of being human to become almost as fanatical about sport as we can be about religious causes! On the day of writing this (the opening day of Wimbledon) I heard on the news that police expect a very big increase in domestic violence at times of key football matches and other major sporting events. The combination of drink and a passionate desire for a particular outcome can have this very sad effect.

I pray we can move beyond this in the age which is dawning now, for it is indeed an age of heightened awareness of worldwide problems—of the futility of violence and war, and of the oneness of all the human family. In this context I have been contemplating the whole question of national pride and its correct and balanced place in our societies. Our sporting endeavours bring wonderful opportunity to learn about other cultures (we have been hearing a lot about Brazil on our British TV!) and the more we learn of other countries, the more understanding heart to heart will unfold, and the less likelihood of future wars. Then it is also good to remember that the winning is probably not the most significant victory of the day. The Olympic creed reminds us: ‘The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.’

White Eagle tells us that true victory lies within each of us, on a daily basis. It lies in maintaining our inner poise and centre of peace no matter what. It lies in acceptance and peaceful surrender when the outcome is not what we hoped. It lies in our open-hearted happiness at the joy of those who feel uplifted by the result. I feel that if we truly believe in the oneness of the human family, we all share in that victory of endeavour, whatever country, ‘team’ or hero holds up the winner’s cup.

And finally, some wise words from White Eagle about surrender:

‘You have to develop the consciousness of the power of the star to perform miracles. But remember it is not your will when a miracle is performed. It is God’s power; it is God’s will. God is the light in the human being, and God alone gives or withdraws according to divine wisdom. We hope you understand that, and will not force what you think ought to be done. Surrender, my children, surrender to God’s will in all things.

      The Source of all our Strength, p.94