If the world is seen in a grain of sand, then enlightenment is in a football game

I like the title of this blog post. If I was reading it, rather than writing it, I'd look at that title and think, "Man, I've got to learn how enlightenment is in a football game."

Of course, learning how the world is seen in a grain of sand is something to be sought after also. But since I'm not William Blake, you'll have to ponder his poem on your own.

And I've got to admit that explaining how enlightenment is in a football game is more of an aspiration for me, than a given. Still, since I spent quite a bit of time today watching two entertaining football games, Oregon versus Washington and Oregon State versus UCLA, I figure that I should get some churchless blog post mileage out of that effort.

Since I live in Oregon, I watched both games not in a state of serene detachment but of anxious fandom. This distinguishes me from a friend who enjoys college football as much as I do, yet prefers to know the score before watching either a recorded game or You Tube highlights.

This, I suppose, is a reflection of differing approaches to enlightenment. 

I understand the appeal of not experiencing the ups and downs that accompany viewing a football game where the outcome is unknown. There's a lot to be said for harmony, calm, centeredness. However, there's also a strong argument to be made for passion, excitement, motion.

Some spiritual paths teach that enlightenment comes to those who make their mind into an empty mirror that dispassionately reflects whatever appears in it. A favorite team wins. A favorite team loses. Reflections, just reflections.

Other spiritual paths embrace the marvelous messiness of life. Enlightenment is viewed not as detachment from reality, but as an understanding that there is no enduring self to be enlightened nor any special state to be attained.

Me, I prefer that way of both spirituality and football watching. I'm incapable of not caring whether an Oregon team wins or loses. I enjoy the pleasure of victory, yet even the agony of defeat seems preferable to being a mere mirror that reflects what is without wishing for what could have been.

Today Oregon lost in a frustrating fashion to Washington. Since both were Top 10 teams, Oregon had a golden opportunity to take a big step toward a ranking that would guarantee a spot in the playoff for a national championship. 

But Coach Lanning chose to not kick short field goals twice on fourth down, which obviously was crucial in a game Oregon lost by three points. Those additional six points would have won the game. Lanning also went for it on fourth down near midfield in the closing minutes of the game when Oregon was leading by four points.

That fourth down attempt failed, which led to Washington scoring on the next two long pass plays. So I, along with other Oregon fans, understandably are critical of the coach's questionable decisions. 

Especially because Lanning acted in much the same way in two previous important games: taking risks when a more cautious approach would have produced a win rather than a loss. An Oregonian sports writer talked about this in "Dan Lanning loves taking risks, but it keeps costing the Ducks in their biggest moments."

Everybody enjoys a hand of high-stakes poker.

But there is always a sign hanging nearby that warns of the difference between enjoying gambling and having a gambling problem.

With Lanning, this is too much of a trend to ignore.

It was a similar situation last year against the Huskies in Eugene, when Lanning called for a run on fourth down from the Ducks’ own 34-yard line in a tie game with 90 seconds left, setting up the game-winning field goal for the surging Huskies.

And it happened two weeks later in Corvallis, when the Ducks were nursing a three-point lead in the fourth quarter and Lanning went for it on fourth and 1 from his own 28.

You can argue the merit of any of these decisions individually. But in Lanning’s scorebook of risk, regret is absolutely lapping reward.

But wait! Even though I agree with what is said above, didn't I just say that I look upon both enlightenment and football watching as lacking a special state to be attained. Like, not taking unnecessary risk.

Well, yes I did. 

So while I think Coach Lanning made some mistakes in his game management, I'm well aware of the many mistakes I've made in my life. Lanning is who he is. I am who I am. Neither of us can be anyone other than who we are. Just as no one else can either. 

Understanding that simple fact, really understanding it -- if that's not enlightenment, it's damn close to it. 

John Canzano is an independent sports columnist here in Oregon. I subscribe to his substack writing. Here's part of what Canzano said about Lanning's decisions today.

Should Lanning have taken three points and kicked a gimme field goal before halftime? Or maybe kicked one in the third quarter deep in the red zone?

Absolutely.

Put six points on the board there and the Ducks board their chartered buses and head to the airport in an entirely better mood on Saturday evening. But as Lanning accurately pointed out: “We’re probably not talking about it if we get a touchdown.”

I don’t think arrogance drove Lanning to go for it on fourth down. Not at all. I don’t think it was his youth, either. Nope. I think Lanning, 37, goes for broke in critical situations because it’s who he is. He believes deeply in his players, wants to have fun, and would rather lose throwing a punch vs. ducking one. And let’s face it — he’s not going to get caught dead laying up on a Par 5 with a bunch of recruits watching.

They were watching, be sure.

Lanning ended up kicking himself in the teeth on Saturday. Oregon could have easily won the game. But I suspect UO fans will live with the disappointment if Lanning’s gambles can turn a 5-1 record into 11-1 by the end of the football season. That’s the task now for the Ducks and as long as Nix stays healthy. And they’ll be a favorite in every game left on the regular-season schedule.

"Because it's who he is." Again, that's all any of us can be. We make decisions that go well. We make decisions that go badly. Such is life. It's a wild roller coaster ride, not a sedate stroll on level ground. This is what makes life enjoyable, the ups and downs, the joys and regrets, the happiness and despair.

And it's why watching sports is so popular. Sports, including football, are just like a grain of sand: the world is contained within each game.

Oh, almost forgot to mention that Oregon State beat UCLA. I didn't talk about that game because a win is less interesting than a loss.

Comments

[Spence Tepper]

But will coach Lanning make the same choices next game?
Ah, there is the test of whether enlightenment has happened.
Sometimes it's a glorious moment.
And other times it's a slap on a cold winter day.
Paying attention, enlightenment happens.

[Ela]

Diversions are life’s great elixir. It might not solve the problems of the world, but it helps one get through the day. 🙃