Chris and Christ go to the gym.......

8. January 2006

Statue of Christ, Mawnan Catholic Church What would it be like to hang out with Jesus Christ, man to man, consciousness to consciousness, in today’s world, my world more particularly? Richard Bach touched on this in his wonderful book “Illusions” but I am seeking and speaking my relationship here.

Ok so how do I approach this………………….?

It was an average kind of Cornish afternoon, 80% cloud cover 50% of which is dark grey with the remainder a soft comforting cotton wool style offsetting the threat of more early spring rain. A stiff breeze is blowing form the west, a perfect day for our outing. Would Christ join me for the drive to the gym or would I meet him there? Yes, invite him along for the drive, he probably does not get to ride in cars very often.

Initially its tricky sitting next to one of the greatest spiritual teachers of known history without turning into an “I’m not worthy” tongue tied buffoon but the wondeful thing is how friendly he is, and so good at putting you at ease. Sensing my discomfort he immediately adjusted and I fealt a great joyous, loving, calm acceptance, this was going to be fun!

At this juncture words and talking seemed frivolous to me, it was just great to be there, so I started the engine and set off on the twenty minute (one of few disadvantages to country living) drive to my fitness club. After a while I noticed a curious intensity in the face of my passenger, he seemed to be listening intently to the engine. “Err, whats up? I asked. “Have you noticed the pleasure the engine is experiencing?” He said. I reflected on that for a moment or few and replied wisely “You mean how it enjoys fulfilling its purpose?” “Well yes, but particularly I mean the way all the parts and the fuel work together harmoniously and how they love this to be recognised.” I had wondered about this, often times feeling a split about the pollution from my vehicle whilst also enjoying the passion and precision of its design and engineering.

“Do you mean that the energy consciousness of the fuel and components feels greater joy when it’s existence is confirmed by our conscious connection to it?”

“Exactly, you may want to reflect on that at the gym” I started reflecting right then and drove on contentedly.

On arrival the receptionist swiped my membership card oblivious to the wondrous presence accompanying me, I went to get changed, JC went exploring.

1. Step machine.

I programmed the machine with my requirements and began dutifully stomping up stairs to nowhere. Tuneless dance music filled the room and three TV monitors offered me the subtitled choices of Oprah Winfrey, Countdown or Happy Days. Oh I remember the days when I had that much exercise in my daily life that I did not have to go to gyms. I reflect back to my times as a windsurfing instructor, hanging out on the beach and getting payed to play in the ocean. Something always seems lacking within this manufactured exercise environment. Gym, fitness club, health club call it what you may but nothing alters the basic fact that they are places we go to time efficiently mechanically exercise our muscles as our time pressed lifestyles do not permit enough hours walking, surfing, climbing etc., so we make do with the occasional trip to the hills or ocean and top up in the gym.

Two minutes up the stairway and I feel the familiar presence of Christ “You’re not enjoying yourself?”, “No, not so much, I like the feel of my body working but I don’t feel the passion or freedom of windsurfing”, “There can be passion in all things, sharpening a pencil or working a step machine. May I?” I nodded and with that he merged into my heart, “Lets PLAY!” Rang through my being.

I felt an immediate shift in perception. I sensed the life force within all the components of the machine. The strength and power of the steel, the receptive yielding quality of the rubber on the foot pads, but most of all the purpose of the machine. This wasn’t just a machine it was a creation born of the Earth, created by divine inspiration through the workings of humankind. I closed my eyes and felt the love in my heart radiate out through every cell of my body and merge into the step machine. We could be one, we could journey together passionately. All at once I was in my body as never before, I felt the tension and release of my muscles, the in breath of oxygen into my blood, the joy of creation as I metabolised more energy to feed these muscles. We were off climbing from star to star, from cell to cell, from atom to atom, then slow motion, a stream of energy pulsing with each step so alive, alive, alive, I AM ALIVE, I AM.

My breath raced in and out of my lungs, into my cells and I felt a shift within, I was lead down, down deep into my anger and pain. A fresh wave of energy surged through me but Christ was still within holding, witnessing, being. FUCK YOU I cried silently to the harsh fearful world that holds me back and stepped again with all my might I shall live, I c h o o s e to LIVE in hope not in fear.

Then again I felt the pain of my little boy within, so unseen, so misunderstood, so lonely, so lonely. “Invite him with us” says Christ. So I hold my hand out and this small boy maybe three years old emerges from the depths of my pain and smiles a shy smile. We embrace hearts warm, eyes wet, and I pop him on my shoulders. Together we ride the step machine into the light of love and hope…… “Chris”, “Yes Chris”, “Where have you been?” “Looking for you actually, I just didn’t know it”…

tags: , , , ,

  1. — ehi    Jan 19, 02:53 PM Great article. especially the boy part. thanks a lot for the site
  2. — Emily    Jan 19, 07:41 PM I am moved by your strength, faith and love in this story. Thanks for the writing and articulation

Subscribe | See the full article archive