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Tiger's search for self and soul
Whenever I do a video interview for On Faith I always asks my guests what gives their lives meaning. Often people struggle with that answer. Today, in his speech of apology, I felt Tiger Woods was struggling as well.
His whole world has turned upside down and he has clearly not yet found a way to set it right. You could feel the torment and the anguish in his words and see it in his face. There was also a sense of 'out-of-bodyness" as though he were looking down at himself, asking, "Who is this person?"
Twice he referred to it: "I've questioned who I am and how I could have done the things I did," he said. And later "My failures have made me look at myself". He talked about 'integrity' and 'character' as though he had just learned the words. "It's not what you achieve in life, it's what you overcome," he said, again, as if that were a revelation.
"I owe it to my family to become a better person."
To lose one's sense of self is like losing one's soul and must be extremely painful. Often, when this happens people will turn to their faith. Brit Hume had suggested that Tiger Woods turn to Christianity rather than Buddhism. "I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith," Hume said.
Woods would have none of that, though he did say 'I have a lot to atone for."
Christians talk about sin, redemption and forgiveness. Buddhism is more ethereal. Woods says he once practiced his faith but fell away from it. His faith would tell him, he says, that "a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security." And then ,"I lost track of what I was taught."
In therapy he said he was learning to "balance his spiritual life and his professional life."
The speech was a good one. He did three things he needed to do: He admitted what he had done. "I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated." He apologized: "I am truly sorry." And he pledged to atone for what he had done by going to therapy and changing the way he lived "to try to be a better person."
It seemed a genuine apology, though cynics will say he had no choice. He has already lost millions and will continue to do so. His marriage as well is at stake. And too, people in trouble will often use religion as a way to gain public sympathy. Happily, we were spared the cringe-making spectacle of his wronged wife by his side.
Only Woods knows whether he was sorry for what he'd done or simply sorry for the consequences. It will be some time before we find out.
"I had to admit I will need help," he said. He will return to therapy, "not golf for now. "I have a long way to go," he said. He's right about that. One doesn't become a different person overnight. Integrity and character are not commodities you can buy with money. As for his wife Elin, she will have to make difficult choices and decisions for herself and her children. "My real apology to her will not come in words," said Woods. "It will come in my behavior to her over time."
Perhaps during that time he will discover what gives his life true meaning.
By
Sally Quinn
|
February 19, 2010; 1:56 PM ET
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Posted by: YEAL9 | February 23, 2010 12:10 PM
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About Mr. Woods’ apology I am happy for him that he made a public one. My hope is that this very humiliating experience will motivate him to call out to Allah for help for He promises that if a person walks toward Him he will run to that person.
To: YEAL9- As Allah says in Surah Al Furqan: (commentary Pickthal)
The (faithful) slaves of the Beneficent are they who walk upon the earth modestly, and when the foolish ones address them answer: Peace; (63)
Posted by: safiyah111 | February 23, 2010 9:31 AM
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"The Cycle of Rebirth
Karma plays out in the Buddhism cycle of rebirth. There are six separate planes into which any living being can be reborn -- three fortunate realms, and three unfortunate realms. Those with favorable, positive karma are reborn into one of the fortunate realms: the realm of demigods, the realm of gods, and the realm of men. While the demigods and gods enjoy gratification unknown to men, they also suffer unceasing jealousy and envy. The realm of man is considered the highest realm of rebirth. Humanity lacks some of the extravagances of the demigods and gods, but is also free from their relentless conflict. Similarly, while inhabitants of the three unfortunate realms -- of animals, ghosts and hell -- suffer untold suffering, the suffering of the realm of man is far less.
The realm of man also offers one other aspect lacking in the other five planes, an opportunity to achieve enlightenment, or Nirvana. Given the sheer number of living things, to be born human is to Buddhists a precious chance at spiritual bliss, a rarity that one should not forsake.
"
www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm
So where will Tiger be reborn??
Posted by: YEAL9 | February 22, 2010 8:05 AM
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You wrongly imply that "ethereal" Buddhism does not talk about sin, forgiveness and redemption. This shows a misunderstanding of Buddhism.
It is quite down-to-earth, because there is no single almighty being that can save us from the consequences of our own actions. Buddhism teaches that we are each totally responsible to govern ourselves and our actions mindfully. It teaches us to live with virtue, to avoid downfalls or sins, to be responsible for intelligently controlling our behaviors.
Remorse is essential, shown through actions, not just words. We redeem ourselves, by living in virtuous ways, cognizant of our responsibility to ourselves and to others to be wise, compassionate, and loving in word, thought, and deed.
Posted by: dcani1 | February 21, 2010 11:58 AM
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Tiger's search for self and soul? It should read:
"TIGER'S SEARCH FOR SELF-CONTROL".
Posted by: YEAL9 | February 21, 2010 12:23 AM
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If this was YOU, what bussiness whould it be of MINE?
Posted by: usapdx | February 20, 2010 6:36 PM
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It takes two to tango!! What about all the bimbos who "fell" for all his "charm" and money??
Posted by: YEAL9 | February 20, 2010 11:05 AM
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hello.
Posted by: oldsong1 | February 20, 2010 9:02 AM
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Jesus will help him come back more than he himself imagined.
Posted by: oldsong1 | February 19, 2010 7:38 PM
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Reincarnation is, I believe, a tenet of Buddhism. No doubt Tiger would like to be reincarnated as a male Muslim so that all women will become his slaves (at least four of them unless you are rich like the leaders of Saudi Arabia and then it is "harem heaven").
Posted by: YEAL9 | February 19, 2010 5:16 PM
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Safiyah111,
You forgot to note:
Some of the Koran's commands not so peaceful passages:
"Allah is an enemy to unbelievers. - Sura 2:98
Slay them wherever ye find them and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. - 2:191
Fight against them until idolatry is no more and Allah's religion reigns supreme. (different translation: ) Fight them until there is no persecution and the religion is God's entirely. - Sura 2:193 and 8:39
Fighting is obligatory for you, much as you dislike it. - 2:216
(different translation: ) Prescribed for you is fighting, though it is hateful to you.
..... martyrs.... Enter heaven - Surah 3:140-43
If you should die or be killed in the cause of Allah, His mercy and forgiveness would surely be better than all they riches they amass. If you should die or be killed, before Him you shall all be gathered. - 3:157-8
You must not think that those who were slain in the cause of Allah are dead. They are alive, and well-provided for by their Lord. - Surah 3:169-71
Let those fight in the cause of God who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fights in the cause of God, whether he is slain or victorious, soon we shall give him a great reward. - Surah 4:74
Those who believe fight in the cause of God, and those who reject faith fight in the cause of evil. - 4:76
But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever you find them. - 4:89"