Success vs. Joy

- XXXVII -

The Voice Within

For me, the spirit within is reality. I believe the soul inside each one of us is what matters most, not the external environment. Societal pressures often do not encourage us to experience the reality that lies within. The environment in which we live can create an illusion that prevents us from discovering the inner truth.

I believe that all sportspersons, a footballer, cricketer, athlete or whatever, should play for himself. When you start playing the way you think society wants you to, you start living by its rules in an unreal world.

I once became agitated when my game was not going the way I wanted it to. The voice within was drowned by my own expectations from myself. I realized I had to first control my mind. I went back to the basics and started from scratch. I was then able to achieve some degree of consistency in my play. And then, suddenly, my mind became calm and my performance peaked.

Having reached that stage after considerable effort and perseverance, I was on a roll. I was able to see the ball well, my timing was just right, my body and my mind were in perfect alignment.

Chapter XXXVI :: Chapter XXXVIII