Conflict and a whole body experience

 Conflict and a whole body experience

It’s common knowledge that “Fight or bolt” is our first response to any threat.  For more than five decades , I believed this implied   quick exit   from the scene ( in car ie; ). As I am now unable  to  run  even to save my own life,  It remains a distinct possibility that   I must have devised an  effective  form of self-preservation  unconsciously. Sometimes I even Hallucinate that I have established some form of survival instinct mechanism for the whole of mankind.

Observing my unsophisticated attempts at getting fit after a recent health scare,  two fitness conscious old Bandicoots, my childhood friends   took pity on me and badgered  me ( anyboby can  counsel us these days , the world has evolved!  ) on the virtues of metabolic conditioning in any fitness/ weight loss programme. They  went on to lecture  me on how running is as significant  to people  as breathing. I thought for a moment .How true!  to survive cavemen had to run – either to escape from ferocious predators  or  to  fetch dinner .. Running has been our way of life since the beginning of human race they declared,  hailing the exploits of Jim Hines,  Charles Greene . & others.Everyone has the potential   to achieve,  they  concluded even as I asked myself  “ are these Wacky Geezers including themselves in the list?”

Harassed & hounded, I made an ambitious foray into a barn of agony that most millennial fondly refer to as  ‘gym’. I looked around at the  various contraptions that looked like construction equipment . At the behest of the Trainer, who I suspect had already been suitably Primed by the  two well -meaning  friends, I climbed on to the treadmill belt. Although the control panel resembled a cockpit console of an  aircraft,  I felt  consoled by the sight of a red “Kill” switch  that would stop  the machine instantly. After pressing some assorted buttons, I began to walk without covering any distance  and no landscape,pedestrians, vehicles  or scenery passed by. With a wicked twinkle in his eye, The trainer ramped up  the speed . In less than  30 seconds ,  my legs were rendered  rubbery and  heart pounded like a jack hammer,. Questions like ‘why am I punishing myself ?”, “ is this body the real me?”,  “What if I don’t look like Mr.Universe?”and “ after all this where is the guarantee that my  fat will melt”?  Persistently riddled the mind.Stung  by these deadly  queries, I was on the verge of  collapsing .Yet,  the trainer prompted   me  to continue .

 

I somehow managed to survive  two minutes ( a whole 120 Secs)when my mind & body conspired , plying compelling evidences for quitting this drudgery . I was on the verge of yielding to the dictates of my mind when the trainer reminded me of the prized goal and how “minor” inconveniences yielded   grand rewards.

But, At seven minutes, my body and mind hammered in their unanimous verdict to abort the mission. And I readily surrendered to the epochal verdict. I staggered off towards the exit. Once home,I sank into that cushioned chair in front of the TV with deep  gratitude for the familiar Cozy surroundings.

 Mulling over the  disaster I was amazed by the intensity of the duel between mind and body whenever an unaccustomed activity is pursued. Mind’s ability to initially woo, then persuade &  ultimately intimidate is disconcerting.

I am now satisfied that controlling our mind is a formidable but nobler task. Therefore,I have banished the idea of jogging ( & affectionate advise too) and such other  “belligerent” activities.  I am now a devout fan of meditation, which is vastly non-violent and spiritually elevating.

  My weight loss programme continues to remain a cherished dream

  But wait, just now an ad ticker is flitting across the TV screen, which reads  “Lose   unwanted weight the easy way, by doing……………… nothing, for details Whattsapp: 8*********”.  That chattering monkey in the head is going berserk.