tag:lifecycle.blog.co.uk,2009-11-09:/MokoFeed2009-11-09T13:53:40+01:00tag:lifecycle.blog.co.uk,2007-04-04:/2007/04/04/ha_what_a_refreshing_break~2029870/zenrao2007-04-04T06:35:37+02:002007-04-04T06:35:37+02:00 <p>It's been hot in the place I live for quite some time now. It looks as if summer has already set in in this part of the country. Pune is one of the historically important cities in India and it has been the headquarters of the Maratha Peshwas who were the last one to fall to the Britishin 1818. </p> <p>I got up early in the morning and went for some invogorating jog in the nearby Osho Park in Koregaon Park, that has become famous because of the New Age guru Osho. I've rounded some one-and-a-half hours of jogging before getting on my bike to head north into the city. I pedalled for some 2 hours taking my regular circular route that traverses via the city and branches off into the outskirts and finally merges in the Koregaon Park. </p> <p>The gruelling run and the tiring ride has made me devour some four to five pancakes before a round of silent sitting. </p> <p>What more does one want for a wonderful start to the day? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lifecycle.blog.co.uk/2007/04/04/ha_what_a_refreshing_break~2029870/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:lifecycle.blog.co.uk,2007-04-03:/2007/04/03/food_for_cycling_thought~2023707/zenrao2007-04-03T07:00:30+02:002007-04-03T07:00:30+02:00 <p>A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?"</p> <p>The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the student, saying, "You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do."</p> <p>The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path." The teacher commended the student, "Your eyes are open and you see the world."</p> <p>The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel."</p> <p>The fourth student answered, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings." The teacher was pleased and said, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming."</p> <p>The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, "I am your disciple." </p> <p>Author Unknown</p> <p>The moral of the story is that whatever you do do it just for the sheer joy of it. Even if it is work. The moment the achieving mind comes into play joy gives way to worry and it is no more fun to go the workplace anymore. And the best way to attain a joyful mind is to go cycling. Cycling not only gives one an uplifting experience but also infuses the cyclist with an overwhelming amount of oxygen bringing him out of the mediocre state into an exalted state. This makes it easy for us to go about our daily rigmarole and without much ado. Things happen by themselves and we become just a witness to it. </p> <p>I have had more than three years experience in cyling, which is my only mode of transportation. I not only go for joy rides on my bike but also use it to go to the workplace and for running errands. And I can say with conviction that cylcing has changed my life beyond imagination. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://lifecycle.blog.co.uk/2007/04/03/food_for_cycling_thought~2023707/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>