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April-June, 2013

Coaching LaCrosse with Shakti

by Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C.

I am in my 41st consecutive year as a high school coach with the same lacrosse team — the Lynbrook Owls. Having retired five seasons ago from being the head coach, I have since served as a volunteer assistant coach to the program. My role is now remarkably different and, for me, very exciting.

The current head coach and his other assistants are in charge of everything that has to do with specifically coaching the game of lacrosse (e.g. offense / defense strategies, transition play, stick skills, conditioning, personnel decisions, schedules, scouting opponents, etc.). Serious attention to these critical aspects of the game is essential to success of the team — but that doesn’t really hold my interest much anymore.

My role now is in talking to the team about connecting to the Shakti — the cosmic power of the Universe. Shakti is a Sanskrit word referred to in the teaching of Vedanta — an ancient spiritual path from India. I came across this term many years ago and just liked the sound of it. It became our secret word for the players on the varsity lacrosse team to share when referring to the connecting energy that allows our team to play at the highest level.

This season the head coach (my former assistant of 15 years) has allowed and encouraged me to use the ability that I honed from being a Pathways minister to teach this concept: We are capable as players and coaches of connecting to each other through the heart.

We call this process “building Shakti.” I am given the first 10 minutes of every practice to teach them about the power of Shakti while they sit in the stands just before we warm up. I have a captive audience and I love the topic that I am teaching.

Sometimes I have them to close their eyes and give them a guided meditation. They are asked to imagine waves of loving energy flowing through each teammate’s heart and into another’s with no break in the connection through all 33 players on the team. They are asked to envision this energy with green and gold light (our school colors) flowing through each heart and increasing the love we have for each other.

The players are taught that our efforts to focus on this connecting energy will give our team the ability to come together to play our best at the most critical moments. Not only will we play better as a team but we will enjoy each other more as we send love — Shakti — to our brothers. They are told that it is the joining with each other that gives us the strength to overcome adversity by refocusing our minds on this common connection. When things are not going well, the players are asked refocus — to choose again — to let go of their negative thoughts and choose the Shakti instead.

Coaches of all teams want their players to create a belief in brotherhood. Nevertheless, I don’t think that many teams make it part of their practice preparation. Team captains and leaders are expected to teach the importance of being good to each other at all times. Sending love and compassion to each other builds Shakti. They are encouraged to find ways to build this bond off the field as well. The greater the flow of Shakti among all teammates — the more joy we feel in playing the sport together and in sharing each other’s company. Teammates are asked to lessen their thoughts of individuality and choose the wholeness.

There are ups and downs for a team during every game and throughout every season. When things are not going well, the team is directed to refocus on the Shakti — the connecting love that allows us to be our best. Every player may not be equally valuable in the skills that create excellence on the field — but they are all equal in the creation of the all-important energy — the Shakti. This collective belief allows players with less skill or less field opportunities to participate fully in the outcome. The players on the sideline send Shakti from their hearts into the hearts of those on the field.

Our ministry in Pathways of Light can take many forms. I am particularly fond of this one. Go Owls!

© 2013, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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