Zen and the art of motoring

Rod: A car is like a human. Man has a backbone chassis and frame like a Lotus Elan! A human heart pumps blood , a car’s oil pump pumps oil. Both need lubrication and fuel, both have cooling systems and exhausts. Both need taking care of.

J-L: Your body is your chariot. Just as you pay impeccable attention to the maintenance of your vehicle you should pay attention to your physical being if you want to get the most out of it!

Rod: Cars need to be nurtured. It is good to give your car a name and treat her affectionately, tuned to run properly on all cylinders, the timing needs to be near top dead centre for the engine to run properly.

J-L: We need to take time to nurture our body, mind and spirit.

It’s important to keep the balance between work, play and attending to our emotional needs; setting some time aside each day for exercise or meditation is as important as being ‘on time’ for appointments.

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Rod: You should drive a car with relaxed concentration and be in sympathy with its movements, engine and gearbox, steering it intelligently through the challenges presented and braking smoothly for obstacles well anticipated.

J-L: Being present in the moment enhances our appreciation of life.

By becoming aware of and observing our breathing, eating and movements, we are able to adjust and refine ourselves. Relaxed awareness can help us to gently steer ourselves in a healthy direction.

Rod: If we want to go racing “flat out and furious” as Senna put it, similar principles apply.

You have to slow down the mental process in order to speed up the physical. Relaxed awareness is still of the essence, the smooth balance required needs a calm mental approach but sharp reactions with clear sight and excellent anticipation of what is happening far down the road ahead.

Done really well it is an art that only a few masters accomplish but one worth continually striving to improve on.

We then achieve high speed harmony in motion.

J-L: Through observing the constant mental chatter in our minds we can help to slow down the racing around of our thoughts and bring ourselves into harmony with whatever action we may be involved in.

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By releasing the doubts, fears and speculations that flood our minds and immersing ourselves in the present we are able to experience the mystery, magic and magnificence of the moment and of life.

It’s the journey that counts… all the way to the chequered flag.

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