Janis Joplin Walks into a Sports & Spirituality Class...

I've read that it takes three weeks to form a new habit. Other sources say on average two months. On January I wrote "New Year's Resolutions 2015: To Laugh Often and Loud." Six weeks later the fact that I'm even still writing about my New Year's "habit?!" means something must be going right. Maybe it's because I picked a fun challenge. Perhaps its because I am equipped with a few tools to build the habit. I am very proud to reveal one great source of success: my students.

Teaching high school demands a sense of humor; I'm sure many students would say surviving it does too. But the jokes that were rolling in my Sports & Spirituality class are worth sharing. Not only are they funny, they reveal some interesting information about both sports and about spirituality! Here we go...

My seniors are required to read Ron Rolheiser's "What is Spirituality?" It is a fundamental to understanding the relationship between Sports and Spirituality. Rolheiser says that our spirituality is what we do with our madness, how we channel the "fire" in us, what shapes our actions, what we do with our desire and how we handle our eros.

He adds, "everyone has to have a spirituality and everyone does have one, either a life-giving one or a destructive one." How or why does everyone have a spirituality? Because desire is our fundamental dis-ease; it is always stronger than satisfaction. How we handle our desire? THAT is our spirituality. So what might be a life-giving one? What might a destructive one look like? He offers some examples.

Mother Teresa: It's easy for us to think of Mother Teresa as spiritual but not as erotic—but she was. She channeled her eros by totally giving her life to the poor. And she did this because she loved Christ. Christ Himself was poor. To serve the poor is to serve Christ. He said "that which you have done for the least of my people, you have done for me."

Ultimately her spirituality was life-giving. Not only did she affirm the dignity of the untouchables—the lepers of today's society, but her spirituality was integrated. How? Its focus was singular. She an outstanding example of Kierkegaard's definition of a saint: "someone who can will the one thing."

Go MT go!

Janis Joplin: Rolheiser believes that it's not a stretch to think of Joplin erotic, but do we think of her as spiritual? Not so much! But she was. Joplin was full of passion and desire. She once said, "On stage, I make love to 25,000 people different people, then I go home alone."

Ultimately her spirituality was destructive. She died at the age of 27 from a drug overdose. Rolheiser says "she was also an exceptional woman, a person of fiery eros, a great lover, a person with a rare energy that went in too many directions." Sex, drugs, rock n roll, creativity...all that madness and desire. It disintegrated her very life.

But, before this conversation took place, I had to make sure my students know who Janis Joplin is. I told them "I hope you all have a family member who mentors and educates you about great music from before your time. I was blessed with an uncle who passed on his love for three greats: Elvis, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. Two out of three stuck (sorry Uncle Mark!!)."

New Year's Resolution Unfolds: I don't know that anyone is going to extoll the virtues of Joplin's music in their life...and I'm not a big fan myself, but I do live six blocks from a historic, iconic venue she once played at very often: Fillmore West. I thought she might be of interest to them because the "Summer of Love" took place in our very city. I looked around the room and said "And guess where she lived! Anyone? Anyone?"People know to answer "the Haight" in reference to the Haight Ashbury neighborhood, but Joplin also lived in Marin. It is one of the few places I know of in the US where people identify their home by their county before their town.

Marin County is affluent. It lacks diversity. It's natural beauty is stunning. Nearly 15% of our student body considers it home. It's also a hot bed for one of the fastest growing sports in America. One that is known for sticks and bros, Ivy League schools and bad boys (please forgive the sweeping generalization for style's sake).

When my students found out she lived in Marin, those who live there cheered. One city kid immediately said "Did she play lacrosse?"


The entire class erupted in laughter. His timing, the black and white image up on the power point in contrast to the mental image of a lax bro from Marin. Hilarious.

I then played a brief clip of Joplin singing "Another Piece of My Heart" so they could hear the passion in her music. We watched a minute of the YouTube clip and I was excited to report that Rolling Stone said she has "the number one female rock voice." Students informally discussed what constitutes a "rock voice" (one of my favorite topics!) and I look over to a student I know and love well. A talented guitar player and singer, she immediately said "that's what I sound like in the morning." For some reason, I quipped back "that's what you look like in the morning too" to which she responds "I was wondering how you got my selfie from this morning." Our class loved the spar. Everyone was laughing.

That's just a great day of teaching Sports and Spirituality. It's not a leap to admit it's a spiritual place for me. It's where I channel my eros and help student discover their deepest desires. It's also where my New Year's Resolution is becoming a habit. I hope for a few more good laugh—and loud ones.

Photo Credits

The Ultimate Story of Teamwork: American Sniper

Bradley Cooper never got to meet Chris Kyle but
they did talk on the phone once. He says he never
thought it would be the last time he talked to him

Last night I saw "American Sniper" a film directed by Clint Eastwood and nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. I am walking around today a little shell shocked. Is it possible to have PTSD from a movie? Indeed, the (positive) review by David Denby of The New Yorker resonates with me. He said it is  "Both a devastating war movie and a devastating antiwar movie, a subdued celebration of a warrior's skill and a sorrowful lament over his alienation and misery." It's worth learning about the life of Chris Kyle and honoring his legacy from this movie or his autobiography.

In my attempt to process what I learned and what I saw, I'd like to reflect on three ideas or themes that relate to Sports and Spirituality. With this posting and tribute to Chris Kyle, I hope you will pray for our veterans, their families, and for peace in our world. 

1. The notion of teamwork.
Chris Kyle was a member of the Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) Team. Even though he is known as "the Legend" the movie demonstrates his role as a member of a much larger team. I gained a better insight into the varied roles of each SEAL team member. While a sharp shooter may have "sex appeal"—I stood in awe of the talents and abilities of many others. 

I once read that the only people who really understand Navy SEALs are other Navy SEALs. The closest of teammates can understand this sentiment. However, this story draws us in to a team that is fighting for something much larger than themselves. It doesn't get much more real than men and women who are literally putting their lives on the line to defend and protect freedom. Their raison d'être does much more than bring them together as teammates. It makes them a "band of brothers." It shapes their modus operandum. That M.O. is fascinating to me. 

It was fascinating to me that whenever Kyle was in sniper mode, he took his helmet off and wore his ball cap backwards...

Of critical importance to that M.O. is that a they never leave a fellow SEAL alone. Never. Not to injury, death, or the dire, impending and real need to escape getting killed. And when death comes, and it does, a SEAL team member returns with the body in its casket to the United States. 

"American Sniper" reveals what we already know—the toll of losing a "teammate" weighs heavily on these men. In one scene, a veteran approaches Kyle in a store and thanks him for saving his life. Kyle asked him if he "lost some friends." He needs to know because it fuels him to worker that much harder for the cause.


"American Sniper" features Chris Kyle's four tours of duty in Iraq; it is impossible not to feel the tension and his blood pressure rising with each one. His devotion to his work—his squadron is so strong, that it presents a challenge to his marriage and his family. Sometimes, teams do that. They are not totally altruistic in and of themselves. As Ron Rolheiser said, "every choice is 1,000 renunciations." (The Holy Longing) The choice to serve the Navy SEALs isn't without a cost. But it becomes his calling; one he must pursue for as long as he is able. When he finally realizes that he must return home, Kyle struggles with the notion that "he quit." That sentiment fuels his desire to work with other veterans, an effort that ultimately led to his tragic and untimely death. Which leads to my thoughts on...

2. His memorial service.
The only real footage "American Sniper" includes is of the Memorial Service that was held at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kyle's coffin was draped in the American flag and placed over the star. He was a devout Christian, but this service did not take place in a church. Maybe one for close family and friends did, but this larger service allowed over 7,000 people to pay their respects and share their grief. Where people come together to honor a person's life is not what it important, it's that they do. 

This is not something to ever take for granted. Going to a funeral is not easy; they can be exhausting and emotionally draining. But I always remind myself when I face the temptation to stay home or do something different What if no one came? I truly believe that pain shared is pain divided. And to see the he outpouring of patriotism, gratitude, love and respect by fellow veterans and ordinary Americans who lined the freeways as his coffin traveled to Arlington cemetery at our Nation's capital nearly leaves you speechless. It's incredible.

3. Shooting as an Olympic Sport.
Chris Kyle is credited with the most confirmed kills (160) in American military history (allegedly he had 255). As "American Sniper" unfolds, the bounty on Chris Kyle increases. So does his desire to take down the expert insurgent sniper "Mustafa." The enemy is known as an Olympic gold medalist, not from Iraq, but Syria. While watching, I asked myself Is shooting really an Olympic sport?" I am here to tell you it is; Men's shooting is includes nine different competitions and women's shooting has six. 

Would Chris Kyle have been an Olympic gold medalist? If you have seen the movie, you can answer this question. His success was contingent on an important distinction.

In conclusion, "American Sniper" raised a whole lot of questions for me. I walked around today thinking of just how much different my job is...my day to day living is incredibly different from those who serve in the armed forces. I believe it is a calling, one that men and women must answer. But too often, it is at a great price. The world isn't an easy place, but it humbles me to know there are people like Chris Kyle who in their hearts want to share their gifts and talents to make it better for me and for his "teammates." 

I am haunted by his words; "I'm willing to meet my Creator and answer for every shot that I took. The thing that...haunts me are all the guys that I couldn't save."

Chris Kyle, you have saved more than you will ever know.

Photo Credits
Sniper Mode
Prayers for the Family

Aching Pain or Delicious Hope: Stanford vs. Notre Dame—A Spiritual Experience

Desire can show itself as aching pain or delicious hope. Spirituality is ultimately about what we do with that desire. What we do with our longings, both in terms of handling the pain and the hope they bring us, that is our spirituality. –Ronald Rohlheiser, “The Holy Longing”

I never thought standing outside of a locker room after the Notre Dame vs. Stanford football game on Saturday, November 27, 2009 would prove to be a spiritual experience. Two talented teams, two respectable programs, two dramatic season records and this night marked their one final game of the regular season. As I waited with three other alums to present the “Legends” trophy—a beautiful Waterford crystal bowl that stands atop of a redwood base recognizing the heritage of both schools—aching pain and delicious hope looked me in the eye. The lights from the field cast a surreal glow in the space outside the stadium where we stood, providing me with an interesting vantage point. Not one player or coach emerged through the tunnel without the look of either unmet longing or fulfilled desire. In that moment, I came to understand the very essence of spirituality was unfolding around me.

Aching pain
Questions loomed large about the future of Coach Charlie Weis; this loss nearly sealed his impending fate. Losing a game in the final two minutes hurts, but losing a head coach may hurt more. The buy-out of Weis’ ten year contact, the loss of a potential recruiting class who had wanted to play for him, the process of firing any person—albeit “one of our own,” exacerbated the aching pain.

I watched the Notre Dame trainers and managers pack up and roll out the massive operation that is college football. Already a serious and important task, they worked quickly and quietly. A smile was nowhere to be found. This was most readily apparent on the face of this team, Notre Dame Quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who was accompanied off the field by Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick. I wondered if Swarbrick kept his arm around Jimmy to protect him from another irate fan or if he was begging him to reconsider leaving early for the NFL draft. Clausen left Swarbrick’s head-lock to embrace a football trainer in a hug said that—“I’m sorry” and “this stinks.” On the final play of many games, Clausen alone led his team to victory. His face revealed a tangible disappointment that this game and his career at Notre Dame did not end in this fashion.

When I caught the strong profile of graduate assistant and former Notre Dame All-American Bryant Young, the words that he said at the “Legends Weekend” lunch just the day before haunted me: it’s not how you start the season, but how you end it. Every member of that team wished the season had ended differently—the Irish were 0-4 in November. If spirituality is about what we do with that desire, I concede, it went to the right team.

Delicious Hope
The Stanford Cardinal had much to celebrate. Just one week prior, their arch rival--the Cal Bears won the “Big Game” at Stanford. This was a team that had surpassed expectations all season long; it was obvious they were unwilling to lose again. The “Fighting Harbuaghs” had something to prove and completing this season at home with a win was the only option.

Players became increasingly vocal with their cheers and whistles as they began to fill the locker room. Even Condelezza Rice, honorary game captain, couldn’t curb her enthusiasm. Before she addressed the winning team and coach with her congratulations, she stopped to shake our hands and acknowledge what an exciting game it was. Rice holds a master’s degree in political science from Notre Dame and speaks candidly of her support for the Irish. But on this evening the former Secretary of State, now a professor at Stanford’s Hoover Institute, was anxious to celebrate with the victors.

The presentation of the trophy could not begin without the man who made this triumph possible. Delicious hope was most palpable in running back Toby Gerhart, and his Heisman trophy run. That award would be determined in two weeks time. On this evening however, visions of the Heisman danced in the heads of every Gerhart fan.

And when at long last Coach Harbaugh was freed from the media circus on the field, we asked him when would be the best time to present the Legends trophy. Harbaugh took one look at it “Let’s do it now.” My male cohorts followed him inside the locker room to honor the winners. The boisterous crowd gathered close as they listened to a Stanford coach share the history and significance of the trophy. Everyone then bowed their heads as they said the “Lord’s Prayer” together. It doesn't get much more spiritual than that.

The Essence of Spirituality
Spirituality is largely open to interpretation; it can be tough to define. If Rohlheiser is right, if what shapes our actions is our spirituality, then the Irish need to work through the aching pain and move past the regret and disappointment of the 2009 season. Delicious hope waits and so too does the “Legends Trophy.”

Football players, coaches and fans all long for a storied season like Stanford's. Despite the aching pain, delicious hope is what keeps us returning one year after another. So too may an unexpected spiritual experience that the game provides.

Photo Credits
Weis

Claussen

Team Prayer
Condi