Sacred Hoops

"Like life, basketball is messy and unpredictable. It has its way with you, no matter how hard you try to control it. The trick is to experience each moment with a clear mind and open heart. When you do that, the game -- and life -- will take care of itself."
--Phil Jackson, Sacred Hoops

I've never cheered for a Phil Jackson coached team. Growing up a die-hard Detroit B-Boys fan, his Bulls were always "the bad guys" to me. (I know, I know...) But I may actually cheer for him in the coming year. In part, that's because he's about to retire and the Lakers are the only team that can stop LeBron and company this year. But it has more to do with his amazing book I just read: Sacred Hoops - Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior.

I was hooked right from the title. Basketball and Faith aren't just two of my favorite topics. To me, they are woven together as one. I can find as much beauty and inspiration from a beautiful sermon or testimonial story of redemption as I can in the perfectly executied pick and roll. Jackson is of this camp, only he's executed it at the highest level of professional sports.

It's amazing to hear his take on his spiritual journey, and his journey to winning 3 consecutive NBA titles (which he's going for again for the third time). He describes himself as a "Zen Christian". I'd always heard his handle of "The Zen Master" - but what was really eye-opening to me was to read about his upbringing. He was the son of two hard-core Christian fundamentalists. His father was a pastor and his mother about Bible-drilled Phil and his brothers to death. It's cool to see how he still embraces the compassionate, redemptive side of Christianty, while adding those same elements of Zen/Budahism into his coaching philosophies.

Trying to convince MJ to do less so the team could win more being the ultimate test of faith.

If you're into bball and spiritual journeys, this book is just for you.