TIGER WOODS
The New Mary Magdalene?
It is not surprising at all that such a powerful public figure, such as Tiger Woods, would have come in front of the media and millions of viewers to make amends for what seems, in the eyes of “others” wrong doings not only to his wife, to his kids, to his life, to his game...but suddenly towards the whole world.
As long as Tiger represented the perfect athlete, the man who was always in the golf field to win, to give an outstanding performance for others to see his greatness the world was at peace with Tiger, or with what Tiger represents for the "ideal life" of others perceptions on how "reality" should be.
Pictures of him since young have circulated all around the world, labeling him as “The genius” “The Hero” “The ultimate Athlete” all labels, that his father was very proud of his son to wear, as he lived his “desired life” through his son, whose name Tiger, represented the ideal world that represented success. Which included athletic triumphs, women, and where he modeled to his son that it was o.k. to cheat.
A personality like Tiger’s, which is to strive and seek for perfection, with such relentless focus in the game, is a reflection of other things going on within. He too, would eventually manifest the same personality traits as a form of loyalty and blind love towards his dad, who would be pleased if Tiger won majors, if Tiger succeeded at Golf, if Tiger did the same things his father wished he had done.
Whatever the choices and reasons Tiger may have for his chosen behaviors, all of these are his to behold.
There are three types of business; Yours, mine, and God's.
Which Business are you in right now?~Byron Katie.
Now the responsibility of society is to observe the athlete, and perhaps learn a valuable lesson here.
We have the opportunity to see who we are as a collective. Tiger Woods has become a mirror of what we value in humanity.
We reject the media for its endless use of “bad news” yet when the opportunity arises to challenge it we too become loyal to the same things we so much despise.
The massacre of thoughts directed to Tiger and his life is just a similar metaphor, as in the bible, where many men and women were about to throw stones at Mary Magdalene, justifying their judgments against her by condemning her for acting in ways that they call prostitution or evil, only restraining themselves from doing this through the intervention of Jesus.
Aren’t we trying to throw the same stones?
This blog is not intended to justify, or applaud acts and choices of infidelity, or to get sides with any belief or person. This is a mere representation that shows us that we require to evolve our ways.
Tiger is the target right now, who would be next?
Then he comes in front of the media and presents his amends speech, in which he states:
“I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously, I lost track of what I was taught.” Tiger Woods
Then he shares:
“Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us.”
His words now are being scrutinized as a tactic of the media to restore Tiger in the business world and integrate him again into the most expected Golf tournament ever, called The Masters Cup.
However, the true MASTERS here are hidden in the metaphor Tiger has become for the world, in the mirroring he is gifting to us in the here and now.
Humanity against Tiger, in favor of the victim… Humanity disappointed at tiger, expecting HIM, to MAKE IT better for us. Humanity now with an excuse to punish, expecting TIGER to pay for all “he” has done to “us”.
I wonder if this behavior, and projected repressed feelings, not of Tigers, but ours, reflect the need that we have to follow and apply Elin’s plea to Tiger to live and manifest behaviors that show the commitments we make to ourselves and to life...and we may consider as well applying the Buddhist teaching Tiger shared in his press conference, applying it to restraint and master our impulse to judge and condemn others, which leaves us powerless to change our experience.
We all have lost track at least once in our lives, perhaps not cheating, but perhaps with an unintended word that wounded a loved one, perhaps we didn’t keep our word for an agreement... we all have had to be reminded what is important in our lives, the priorities we hold and the values we act upon at least once in our life. Tiger’s way was just the way he did it, and though I support the manifestations of people filled with responsibility of one's own creation and integrity as the tools towards honest living, I ask myself:
Who am I to judge?
Tiger has given us all a gift of reminders:
Be at choice of whom I desire to be every moment.
Do it differently.
Speak the truth.
Live with integrity.
Play the game of life through Non Violent ways.
Become the Master of your destiny.
Be true to thyself!
As a fan of the game of Golf, but mostly as a devoted lover of the Game of Life as the play of consciousness, it is my intent with this blog that we can open our minds and find the Tiger Woods within us. The one that has made mistakes, that makes amends, and the one that with willingness and the right attitude geared towards integrity, can make a difference of choosing the highest of good, with family as a priority and living our lives in honesty, and absolute responsibility of our creation...lived not for the media, not for people, not for even our parents, but for ourselves. Only then we can become the model of joy and respect we desire to see in others, only then we can focus our attention on that which is of value and make decisions that will create behaviors of acceptance, non-judgment and love.
And just like Jesus said:
“Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.”
Namaste,
Ivonne Delaflor