Fans, Bans & Removal Vans

What is it about the world stage that prompts such sporting genius to become so tainted by the defective behaviours of neo-cannibalism? Is it the fact that their world and their pay packets are so far from reality? It probably doesn\’t help. But in all likelihood it is the sheer pressure of billions of people tuning in to see how you are performing, and you of course, are the talisman who everyone is expecting to perform. With pressure comes the activation of the part of the nervous system which has the capacity to overwhelm us, and within the realms of such globally viewed gladiatorial showdowns, perhaps all it takes is a trigger, and before you know it you\’ve disgraced yourself in the eyes of the world. Whatever the reasons, four major incidents in four years suggests that Suarez could do with finding a way to bring balance to his nervous system and clear out his rubbish.

We may shake our heads, tut and point the finger, but let\’s be honest with ourselves. We have all, when under the strain, acted in a way that was ungracious and without thought. It may not have resulted in you dining on someone\’s shoulder, but it may well have taken the form of ill-thought words, actions or indeed apathy. And sometimes it is conscious, but invariably it is without thought, an unconscious reaction, a sudden emotion, an imposter within our physical frame.

We cringe, apologize, try and forget as best we can and, if we think we can get away with it, pretend that the other person didn\’t notice (unfortunately not the case for Suarez). The long and short of it is we have not been our best and we\’d really rather we could have been more cool and composed.

In that hour of stress, we are often faced with an uncomfortable reality. We are not quite as together and with it as we like to think. Why is this? It simply comes down to the condition of our nervous system.

Our nervous system is partially designed to have a reactive capability. It allows us to avert danger. However, it is not designed to cope with the chronic over-stimulation of modern life. Last week I came across an amazing stat that showed we are now subject to more stress in a given day than our great grandparents experienced in a given month! No wonder we\’re finding it difficult to be at our best, and why we are increasingly finding ourselves experiencing physiological and psychological dysfunction.

It goes deeper than this of course. If your nervous system is in great condition, you can be subject to any amount of pressures and you will be able to retain your poise. However, the simple act of living in the world we do means that most of us have traumas, stresses and painful memories locked up within our nervous system, and when it is chronically over-activated, our negative tendencies begin to manifest.

And just as deeply ingrained is the cultural conditioning which we are all subject to. From the day we\’re born, we are bound to certain prevailing worldviews and the more time goes on, the more our boundaries are narrowed into a collective mode of operating, and to step outside of this is to risk tearing the social fabric.

When we meditate each day, we achieve such deep rest, the nervous system is able to spontaneously heal itself of old pain and emotion and negative response patterns, and the more we do this, the more they will wither away. We then have the freedom to make conscious choices about how to respond to life\’s circumstances. Occasionally we may trick ourselves into responding according to our old patterns, but increasingly we find a better way to engage. Which is just as well because shoulders are much better for being cried upon than bitten on!

Another exciting development is our recent move which will soon see us landing in London. It was a remarkable turn of events. There had been very little debate about whether we would sign an extension to our rental agreement in Brighton; it seemed a done deal. One conversation in the car, a quick perusal of Rightmove, a viewing in Pimlico the next day and a few phone calls later and hey presto, the job was done. It was almost as if we were deciding what to have for dinner!

And when things work out like that, one should take note. If it feels right and feels effortless in its orchestration, then it probably is so, for now at least. Staying open and being adaptive to circumstance is the key to a smooth ride. Every time we follow any other reasoning, it just doesn\’t seem to lead anywhere. We\’ll keep you posted on this one!