I've been studying the "Learn To Play Bridge", the down-loadable introductory bridge class from ACBL. It is a great introduction to playing bridge. Plus it is fun:)The program is somewhat interactive, but you can go back and forth to previous sections, or chapters, as many times as you want to review previous information, at the click of an arrow. It's very basic, but very clear, written by a Master bridge player and teacher. I would highly recommend it, and it's free from the ACBL website. Can't beat that.
I'm studying the section entitled, "Taking tricks: Introduction to the Trick" A trick is the play of one card, of one hand, with all players participating. A hand would be the use of the entire 13 cards dealt in one hand of a round. An entire bridge game consists of the play of 4 or more hands or rounds. The winning of points, and the game, is all about how many tricks you and your partner can manage to win. From each round, and for the entire game, as a whole.
Bidding precedes the "play of the cards", or the laying down of the cards that make a trick. It is where you each bet on how many tricks you think you and your partner can take in a round, based on what you each have for cards. Experienced players can surmise what their opponents have for cards, based on a complicated metric of their own hands, their partners, as well as clues from what the opponents bid, in terms of tricks. This is the real mystery of the game I hope to crack, once I get a good handle on the rules. For now it's the basics.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Getting A Bridge Class Going-Part 3
I just came from a friend, Jill's, house. We had dinner together and we also talked about the bridge class. She is the friend who is on the programming committee for the local community arts and education center in my area. She told me she contacted Andy Avery and he is interested, and available, to teach a class bridge this Fall! Yes! Cool. We are looking to do a mid-September to mid-December class. Mondays will be good for him too. That's great. It looks like this is all coming together. He wants us to get 20 people enrolled to make it worth his while. Luckily, there are no other bridge classes that I am aware of, that are happening in the area.
Who knows what will come-up this Fall, but Andy is a nationally recognized teacher. He has, consistently, been one of the ten best players at quite a number of tournaments he competes in, all over the country. This is going to be good! Now we just need to start blitzing the area, getting it in people's consciousness, so come early September they will be rushing to sign up, and get their friends to do the same:) We will start a bridge revolution in the Connecticut River valley area! Or at least try. I would really like to attract other younger players too. Make it funny, sexy and cool to play bridge. Why not?
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Hitting The Books
I have been neglecting my study of the game of bridge. I have not read the book, "Bridge For Dummies, " for more than a week. I have been getting caught up in the whole "world" of bridge though, lately. The games, clubs, leagues, newspaper columns, talking with directors of clubs and teachers of the game. This is all very interesting, and good, but it is not the game itself. The game is played at the table. Simply put.
It is easy to get caught-up in the trappings and paraphernalia of bridge, and never get down to the nitty gritty, the down and dirty, the struggle and the sweat, of experiencing bridge first-hand. That's what makes all the talking and comparing of notes about bridge so interesting. Because you've been there, done that. You've been in the trenches and fought it out at the table. I don't want to forget that. It's easy to hide behind the books too though. Balance, as in life, is what what's all things good.
It is easy to get caught-up in the trappings and paraphernalia of bridge, and never get down to the nitty gritty, the down and dirty, the struggle and the sweat, of experiencing bridge first-hand. That's what makes all the talking and comparing of notes about bridge so interesting. Because you've been there, done that. You've been in the trenches and fought it out at the table. I don't want to forget that. It's easy to hide behind the books too though. Balance, as in life, is what what's all things good.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Reading Bridge Columns in The Local Paper
Now I'm not only speaking a different language, I'm reading it too. I've started to read the bridge column in the local paper. The column is called, "Daily Bridge Club," by Frank Stewart. He is one of the best known, syndicated bridge writers out there. It's very interesting how abstract the game of bridge is. Once you know the terms, an entire round of a game can be represented in a small diagram, showing the hands of the North-South and East-West partners, as well as a description of the plays that everyone played, including bidding, at the beginning of the game.
The order of a game goes: Counting your points and tricks, bidding, opening the game and responding to others plays, offense and defensive plays and wrapping-up and score-keeping. Every part of the game has strategy to play it well, which includes working with your partner. Ah yes, the elusive partner. That I am still trying to integrate into my head, and the game. At the beginning of this post is a diagram of what a bridge round looks like (You've probably seen one in the paper, usually in the comic or game section)Without the language, you would have no idea what you are looking at. With it, it's like being able to reading hieroglyphics. Cool.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Getting A Bridge Class Going-Part 2
I have been emailing today with a friend and her sister, who run a community art and recreation center, to get a bridge class going there. They responded to my email of the other day, saying they think it sounds like a fine idea, for the Fall class schedule. As it turns out, one of the sisters knows the teacher I am looking to get, Andy Avery, because he is also a singer and guitar player. She has made music with him in the past, when she lived in the same area as him. She said she would contact him herself, to get the ball rolling. She and I lived together last Summer, when I was in-transition, trying to move into a house I bought, which wasn't ready, since there was a tenant still in it. I love small communities!
If all goes well, we will have a beginners 8-week class start in the Fall, one night per week, hopefully on Monday evenings. It is hoped that enough novice players will be generated from the class to give me some partners to play with. But, if playing yesterday was any indication of what it could be like, I may be able to just keep playing with more experienced players and learn as a go. I like the challenge of that. It feels like I could learn a lot faster that way. But having a solid foundation, of rules and technique, that a class can give you could be a very good thing to have too.
Here’s some new words I’ve recently added to my bridge vocabulary. Can you match them with the correct definitions?
1. Blamestorming
2. Seagull Player
3. Prairie Dogging
4. Stress Puppy
5. Onosecond
A. When someone yells or drops something during a game and other players’ heads pop up to see what's going on.
B. That minuscule fraction of time after playing from dummy in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake.
C. Sitting around after the game, discussing why your brilliant bid or play failed, and who was responsible.
D. A new player at your regular game who drops in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.
E. A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out by every bid and whiny every time they go down.
Answers: 1-C; 2-D; 3-A; 4-E; 5-B.
If all goes well, we will have a beginners 8-week class start in the Fall, one night per week, hopefully on Monday evenings. It is hoped that enough novice players will be generated from the class to give me some partners to play with. But, if playing yesterday was any indication of what it could be like, I may be able to just keep playing with more experienced players and learn as a go. I like the challenge of that. It feels like I could learn a lot faster that way. But having a solid foundation, of rules and technique, that a class can give you could be a very good thing to have too.
Here’s some new words I’ve recently added to my bridge vocabulary. Can you match them with the correct definitions?
1. Blamestorming
2. Seagull Player
3. Prairie Dogging
4. Stress Puppy
5. Onosecond
A. When someone yells or drops something during a game and other players’ heads pop up to see what's going on.
B. That minuscule fraction of time after playing from dummy in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake.
C. Sitting around after the game, discussing why your brilliant bid or play failed, and who was responsible.
D. A new player at your regular game who drops in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.
E. A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out by every bid and whiny every time they go down.
Answers: 1-C; 2-D; 3-A; 4-E; 5-B.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Bridge Is Not For Sissies
Well, I played bridge for the first time, with real, live people! I decided to go down to the senior center, in a town a few towns over from mine. A bigger town, with more people to play with. I received a return call from a fellow named Jake, a friend of my friend Rich, who plays with that group. I didn't have time to return his call, but I hoped maybe he would be at the game. He was! I ended-up being his sister, Ann's, bridge partner. I did not think I would be playing that day, just "kibitzing" as I had planned, but Ann just threw me in the game!It was duplicate bridge, which is not Chicago bridge or "party" bridge, which is supposed to be easier. Yikes!
The way the game goes, people show up with either their regular bridge partner, or if you don't have one, they try to get you one. Ann, the club leader volunteered to play with me, bless her heart. There were 6 tables worth of players, and the "North-South" partners move, table to table, so everyone ends-up playing with everyone else. Ann and I were North-South, so we kept moving. At each table 4 sets of pre-shuffled cards, in card holders, were stacked in the center of the table, with score sheets, for each round. Four rounds were played at each table, till the N-S couple were asked to move to the next table.
In total I played 3 hours, and it really did not seem like that at all. Being a newbie your senses are heightened, so there is very little time to get bored.Ann introduced me to the room, then each table, as we moved around. The other players were extremely generous and kind, considering I barely knew the rules of the game. Often, Ann would stand behind me and coach me in what cards to play, especially when I was leading, and she was the dummy. I had to sort my hand each round by suit and rank, count my cards for "points" (how many face cards of each suit there were). Then we had to bid on how many tricks we thought we could play each round, given the cards we were dealt. Yes, it's a new language.
Right now, aside from knowing the rules, and what cards to play, I am also learning how intricate it is to work with your partner, and anticipate what your opponents hands are composed of. It seemed like everyone playing was psychic but me. By the biding alone, they could tell what was in everyone's hands. It seemed magical, but I'm sure I will soon see the science behind the magic. Some players were much better than others, and some were nicer to their partners than others. Everyone was nice to me, though, thank god! At the end everyone wanted to know what I thought, and if I thought I might come back. It's a very quiet and civil game. I liked that about it. Calm and cerebral, but challenging.
Now to study my "Bridge For Dummies" book this week, and try to get a little better!
The way the game goes, people show up with either their regular bridge partner, or if you don't have one, they try to get you one. Ann, the club leader volunteered to play with me, bless her heart. There were 6 tables worth of players, and the "North-South" partners move, table to table, so everyone ends-up playing with everyone else. Ann and I were North-South, so we kept moving. At each table 4 sets of pre-shuffled cards, in card holders, were stacked in the center of the table, with score sheets, for each round. Four rounds were played at each table, till the N-S couple were asked to move to the next table.
In total I played 3 hours, and it really did not seem like that at all. Being a newbie your senses are heightened, so there is very little time to get bored.Ann introduced me to the room, then each table, as we moved around. The other players were extremely generous and kind, considering I barely knew the rules of the game. Often, Ann would stand behind me and coach me in what cards to play, especially when I was leading, and she was the dummy. I had to sort my hand each round by suit and rank, count my cards for "points" (how many face cards of each suit there were). Then we had to bid on how many tricks we thought we could play each round, given the cards we were dealt. Yes, it's a new language.
Right now, aside from knowing the rules, and what cards to play, I am also learning how intricate it is to work with your partner, and anticipate what your opponents hands are composed of. It seemed like everyone playing was psychic but me. By the biding alone, they could tell what was in everyone's hands. It seemed magical, but I'm sure I will soon see the science behind the magic. Some players were much better than others, and some were nicer to their partners than others. Everyone was nice to me, though, thank god! At the end everyone wanted to know what I thought, and if I thought I might come back. It's a very quiet and civil game. I liked that about it. Calm and cerebral, but challenging.
Now to study my "Bridge For Dummies" book this week, and try to get a little better!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Getting A Bridge Class Going
It looks as though the sisters will be doing it for themselves this time. I am still being challenged to find people to play bridge with, who are not very advanced players. I talked with a gentleman, Bob, who runs a bridge center an hour away, and he said I should try to start a class of my own, so everyone in it is at the same level. It sounds like I will probably be doing that. Trouble is, Summer is not a great time to start, since everyone wants to be outside. It may have to wait till September.
In the mean time I can "kibitz." Another great bridge term for watching other people's games. How did that come to be? The definition of the word kibitz is from the Yiddish. It actually means to look on, or to criticize from a distance. But it has mainly been used in-terms of card playing. As Brini Maxwell stated, tarot was derived from Jewish mysticism, and playing cards were developed to hide this intuitive art and form of divination from the inquisition. No wonder the terms or definitions in bridge are derived or influenced from European Jewish culture.
In the near future I hope to get a the class going though. I have a friend who has an art and community education center, just up the road from me, about 5 mls. I'm going to see if she will let me get a class started for the Fall schedule. I think it could be a lot of fun to find out who would like to learn in the neighborhood. There are a lot of folks around here that like to do a lot of things. Maybe they would like to add bridge to their list of fun and social activities that they like to do? Why not?
For the Summer, it looks like I will be doing a lot of kibitzing and studying of the rules. Maybe a little online bridge with an old High School friend, Amanda, who lives out in the Russian River Vally, in California. That should be interesting too. I try to stay off the computer, as much as I can, except for email and writing blogs. I see it as a great source of information and communication, but I don't want to live in-front of it. I enjoy real people too. It would be too easy to just play a bunch of computer bridge, which would defeat the purpose to which my master Michael, asked me to do the club in the first place.
So, tomorrow I am going to go to one of the senior centers in the area, an see what I can learn from my elders. I am told that bridge can keep the mind young, limber and active. I was told by a friend that her mother played bridge into her 90's and her mind was as sharp and clear as a 20 year-old. Actually, it could be debated how sharp or clear a 20's year-olds mind is, but that's another conversation. Too many hormones getting in the mix. I am prepared for some characters though. I love that the older you get, the less you seem to care what other people think about you. We'll see if these observations hold true for my soon to be bridge teachers, and partners.
In the mean time I can "kibitz." Another great bridge term for watching other people's games. How did that come to be? The definition of the word kibitz is from the Yiddish. It actually means to look on, or to criticize from a distance. But it has mainly been used in-terms of card playing. As Brini Maxwell stated, tarot was derived from Jewish mysticism, and playing cards were developed to hide this intuitive art and form of divination from the inquisition. No wonder the terms or definitions in bridge are derived or influenced from European Jewish culture.
In the near future I hope to get a the class going though. I have a friend who has an art and community education center, just up the road from me, about 5 mls. I'm going to see if she will let me get a class started for the Fall schedule. I think it could be a lot of fun to find out who would like to learn in the neighborhood. There are a lot of folks around here that like to do a lot of things. Maybe they would like to add bridge to their list of fun and social activities that they like to do? Why not?
For the Summer, it looks like I will be doing a lot of kibitzing and studying of the rules. Maybe a little online bridge with an old High School friend, Amanda, who lives out in the Russian River Vally, in California. That should be interesting too. I try to stay off the computer, as much as I can, except for email and writing blogs. I see it as a great source of information and communication, but I don't want to live in-front of it. I enjoy real people too. It would be too easy to just play a bunch of computer bridge, which would defeat the purpose to which my master Michael, asked me to do the club in the first place.
So, tomorrow I am going to go to one of the senior centers in the area, an see what I can learn from my elders. I am told that bridge can keep the mind young, limber and active. I was told by a friend that her mother played bridge into her 90's and her mind was as sharp and clear as a 20 year-old. Actually, it could be debated how sharp or clear a 20's year-olds mind is, but that's another conversation. Too many hormones getting in the mix. I am prepared for some characters though. I love that the older you get, the less you seem to care what other people think about you. We'll see if these observations hold true for my soon to be bridge teachers, and partners.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Bridge-Speak
Those who play bridge speak a different language. Every sport or activity has it's own special terms, but bridge it seems, has a very unique language all it's own. In studying the rules of the game I am learning this language rather fast. There are auctions and dummies, declarers and directions, slams and trumps. Sounds cool, huh? There's something about the creative way people use language that I love. I am always fascinated by the terms for a game, and how those terms came to be used.
I posted a humorous little video by Brini Maxwell, a wonderful drag queen, that does an amazing impression of a early 60's housewife. The post is entitled, "The Joy Of Bridge." In it Brini describes a bit of bridge history, in her own unique and hilarious way. She also has the 50's and 60's take on bridge culture down pat. I felt like I had been "trans"-ported back to a different time, like a strange time machine designed to take you back to classic bridge parties only. So funny!
It makes we want to dress is a stretch pants suit or Dior and a large-brimmed hat! Get my Audrey Hepburn freak on:) I wonder if Audrey played bridge? There is something so camp to me about bridge. I don't know if it is the culture surrounding it, but bridge mix, tea sandwiches and an excuse to drink cocktails before 5 pm sounds like a strange and fun way to spend a Summer afternoon. The fact that it is challenging and mentally stimulating as well is just a plus. Nothing more fun than smart people having a good time.
I am looking forward to acquiring a whole host of new silver-haired friends, and learning how cut-throat the over 70 set can really be also. Never underestimate a little old woman in lavender. She could eat you alive at the bridge table. My brother is an anthropologist, who specializes in the study of how North American culture treats it's older citizens. Maybe I could help him research the effect of card games on memory, cognitive agility and the social adjustment of older bridge players? He loves to spend time with much older people. He loves benefiting from their wisdom and experience. I'm about to find out what he has been seeing all these years.
I posted a humorous little video by Brini Maxwell, a wonderful drag queen, that does an amazing impression of a early 60's housewife. The post is entitled, "The Joy Of Bridge." In it Brini describes a bit of bridge history, in her own unique and hilarious way. She also has the 50's and 60's take on bridge culture down pat. I felt like I had been "trans"-ported back to a different time, like a strange time machine designed to take you back to classic bridge parties only. So funny!
It makes we want to dress is a stretch pants suit or Dior and a large-brimmed hat! Get my Audrey Hepburn freak on:) I wonder if Audrey played bridge? There is something so camp to me about bridge. I don't know if it is the culture surrounding it, but bridge mix, tea sandwiches and an excuse to drink cocktails before 5 pm sounds like a strange and fun way to spend a Summer afternoon. The fact that it is challenging and mentally stimulating as well is just a plus. Nothing more fun than smart people having a good time.
I am looking forward to acquiring a whole host of new silver-haired friends, and learning how cut-throat the over 70 set can really be also. Never underestimate a little old woman in lavender. She could eat you alive at the bridge table. My brother is an anthropologist, who specializes in the study of how North American culture treats it's older citizens. Maybe I could help him research the effect of card games on memory, cognitive agility and the social adjustment of older bridge players? He loves to spend time with much older people. He loves benefiting from their wisdom and experience. I'm about to find out what he has been seeing all these years.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Finding People To Play Bridge With If You Are Under 60
I am a younger person, i.e. under the age of 50. I am finding that bridge is a game for older people, or at least mostly so. In trying to contact bridge clubs in my region I have been finding that most of the games happen mid-day, say Noon or 1 pm. The average bridge game can go for 3 hours, so it seems most people playing would rather do this before dinner, rather than after. I work during the day, so that is going to be problematic for me, but I will persist. I have also put in calls to several people listed as either bridge teachers or directors of bridge clubs, but have not heard back from them yet.
Some clubs only meet seasonally, usually not in the Winter, leaving me to believe that people who play go South for the Winter. It does seem, too, from reviewing the tournament schedules on various league websites, that it is a migratory sport. People not only travel to play in these competitions, but they also go on bridge cruises. This may end up being a more expensive activity than I thought. By the time you pay for hotels, gas, food and entry fees, you've just gone on mini-vacation! I am determined to make this a sexy, fun and cool bridge club too. Why does bridge only have to be for seniors?
I know a lot of people who play poker these days, but they usually want to play for money. I talked to a younger friend, Pete, about the club I was forming. I asked him if he knew how to play bridge. He said no, but he liked card games. The first thing he asked about the club was if we would be playing for money. I said no, not yet, at least. I wasn't good enough at this point (smile) In fact, I haven't even played yet. But he's a young dad and always thinking about how he can make some extra money for his family. I hadn't even thought about money, in-terms of this club, but maybe down the line we might have our own tournament. First I have to find someone to play with!
How do you find bridge partners? Do you advertise? One of the leagues has a "partners desk", but I think that is just for tournaments. There is a club, about an hour away, that does meet on a day and time that I can, so I am going to try to go there on Wednesday afternoon. I'll see if I can't find some real, live people playing bridge. Well, they don't have to be very alive, but a pulse would be nice. We'll see, maybe I can make bridge cool again? That would be fun. I heard Omar Sharif loves to play bridge. Is he still alive? He was a pre-teen crush of mine. I wouldn't turn him away from my table (wink)
Some clubs only meet seasonally, usually not in the Winter, leaving me to believe that people who play go South for the Winter. It does seem, too, from reviewing the tournament schedules on various league websites, that it is a migratory sport. People not only travel to play in these competitions, but they also go on bridge cruises. This may end up being a more expensive activity than I thought. By the time you pay for hotels, gas, food and entry fees, you've just gone on mini-vacation! I am determined to make this a sexy, fun and cool bridge club too. Why does bridge only have to be for seniors?
I know a lot of people who play poker these days, but they usually want to play for money. I talked to a younger friend, Pete, about the club I was forming. I asked him if he knew how to play bridge. He said no, but he liked card games. The first thing he asked about the club was if we would be playing for money. I said no, not yet, at least. I wasn't good enough at this point (smile) In fact, I haven't even played yet. But he's a young dad and always thinking about how he can make some extra money for his family. I hadn't even thought about money, in-terms of this club, but maybe down the line we might have our own tournament. First I have to find someone to play with!
How do you find bridge partners? Do you advertise? One of the leagues has a "partners desk", but I think that is just for tournaments. There is a club, about an hour away, that does meet on a day and time that I can, so I am going to try to go there on Wednesday afternoon. I'll see if I can't find some real, live people playing bridge. Well, they don't have to be very alive, but a pulse would be nice. We'll see, maybe I can make bridge cool again? That would be fun. I heard Omar Sharif loves to play bridge. Is he still alive? He was a pre-teen crush of mine. I wouldn't turn him away from my table (wink)
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Awake People Play Bridge Too
The day Michael and I talked about my starting the bridge club, he saw a book on my dining table called, "The End Of Your World," by Adyashanti. Adyashanti, if you are not familiar with him, is a teacher trained in the Zen tradition of Buddhism. He awoke in that tradition and was asked by his teacher, Arvis Justi, to teach. But, he does not teach from a strictly Buddhist perspective. He teaches from an awake perspective, or from a non-dual and Advaita perspective.
Michael told me based on his review of Adyashanti's work, that he felt Adya was attracting mainly people who were already awake, to help them understand the path once awakening has happened. This was new to me too, since I had heard Jan tell me that one way Michael was helping her was with what comes next, after awakening. I, too had not considered this. It has been dawning on me, that my understanding of what being awake was has been very confused. That it is not what I have thought it was at all.
With this dawning new perspective, my conversation with Michael took a different turn. I told him that people I knew were telling me that thought they were awake, and that I was awake too. This baffled me. I asked Michael about this. He said, "I believe you are awake, but there are many different levels of awakening." Huh? Wow! I asked him for more about this. He said, " Enlightenment is the culmination, the state of being fully awake without disruption. The perspective or awareness, of being awake at all times, and under all circumstances."
With this idea in mind, he asked me to start the bridge club. He then said, "You know, Adyashanti plays bridge." I said, "really?". "Yes," he said. "He has bridge parties at his house, and when they play, no one is allowed to talk about anything 'spiritual'." " Oh, " I said. "He then said, "yes, and if anyone does, they are not invited back to play again." "Why?", I asked. "He is trying to make a point, that people fixate on the 'spiritual' and ignore the rest of life. When in reality, there is no separation." "Everything is 'spiritual', and ordinary, when viewed from the from the awake state."
Was he trying to make this point with me, that I was fixated on the 'spiritual' and needed more balance? He did not say meditate with people when you play bridge. He said just start a bridge club, and play the game. So, now I am trying to learn the rules of the game, trying to find people to play with and trying to figure out where this club will meet. All this while trying to deal with all the feelings that are coming up about it as well. I am still in the stage of feeling like, "why am I doing this, and what does it have to do with enlightenment?" But I will persist.
Michael did say to me, that it was not just the goal of the club, but the journey of playing and everything else involved, that I should take as my practice.
OK, Michael, want to play bridge some time?
Michael told me based on his review of Adyashanti's work, that he felt Adya was attracting mainly people who were already awake, to help them understand the path once awakening has happened. This was new to me too, since I had heard Jan tell me that one way Michael was helping her was with what comes next, after awakening. I, too had not considered this. It has been dawning on me, that my understanding of what being awake was has been very confused. That it is not what I have thought it was at all.
With this dawning new perspective, my conversation with Michael took a different turn. I told him that people I knew were telling me that thought they were awake, and that I was awake too. This baffled me. I asked Michael about this. He said, "I believe you are awake, but there are many different levels of awakening." Huh? Wow! I asked him for more about this. He said, " Enlightenment is the culmination, the state of being fully awake without disruption. The perspective or awareness, of being awake at all times, and under all circumstances."
With this idea in mind, he asked me to start the bridge club. He then said, "You know, Adyashanti plays bridge." I said, "really?". "Yes," he said. "He has bridge parties at his house, and when they play, no one is allowed to talk about anything 'spiritual'." " Oh, " I said. "He then said, "yes, and if anyone does, they are not invited back to play again." "Why?", I asked. "He is trying to make a point, that people fixate on the 'spiritual' and ignore the rest of life. When in reality, there is no separation." "Everything is 'spiritual', and ordinary, when viewed from the from the awake state."
Was he trying to make this point with me, that I was fixated on the 'spiritual' and needed more balance? He did not say meditate with people when you play bridge. He said just start a bridge club, and play the game. So, now I am trying to learn the rules of the game, trying to find people to play with and trying to figure out where this club will meet. All this while trying to deal with all the feelings that are coming up about it as well. I am still in the stage of feeling like, "why am I doing this, and what does it have to do with enlightenment?" But I will persist.
Michael did say to me, that it was not just the goal of the club, but the journey of playing and everything else involved, that I should take as my practice.
OK, Michael, want to play bridge some time?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Path And Practice Of Bridge
Today was my first day on the road to becoming a bridge master. During some free time at work, I surfed the Internet and went to the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) website. To visit it, Go to: http://www.acbl.org/ I downloaded their free "Learn To Play Bridge" software, and read through the site. I was looking for info on classes, teachers and learning about the whole history and world of bridge. Bridge originated from the game Whist, which had been played in Europe for centuries before. In modern times, it was updated in the 20th century by one of the Vanderbilt family, to it's current form now. It has been considered a game of royalty. It's is also considered one of the hardest card games in the world to play.
Where did Michael come up with this? When we were siting on my couch in my living room, shortly before he told me what he wanted to do, he had been sitting with his eyes drooping almost looking like he was falling asleep. I asked him if he was OK. He said, "yes, I just sometimes do that." He seemed like he was come back from somewhere far away and had returned with something for me, from that far away place. I was feeling a little uncomfortable by what seemed like some sort of theatrics, but knowing Michel and knowing Jan, it was not. Neither was he joking. I was mystified.
When I drove Michael back to Jan's house, before we went into the house, we sat briefly in the car. I asked him, "Are you screwing with me?" "No", he said. "I am not." I felt like an ass for saying that, but I felt scared that I was going on some wild goose chase. What did bridge have to do with being awake, being enlightened? Since That conversation in the car, I have had wisps of awareness cross through my mind, about everything being of the one life, worthy of my attention. My attachment to certain forms, and feeling like I was wasting my time and life with the rest, was an old way of seeing that was going to need to be revisited and possibly revised..
Michael also told me to consider the staring of the club, the playing of the game of bridge, everything to do with it, to be my path and practice. Now, I see that since I started this, just today, my old habits of how I approach challenges, of how I respond to things when I feel unnerved, is still the same. I feel the need to quickly, "get on top of it." Get it all under control. My attention drifts away from everything else going on around me, as I try to think of how I can do this right, not screw it up, maybe even be that best at it! The ego is strong. It wants a lot, and it wants it now! Can I do this with devotion to the master and humility?
Where did Michael come up with this? When we were siting on my couch in my living room, shortly before he told me what he wanted to do, he had been sitting with his eyes drooping almost looking like he was falling asleep. I asked him if he was OK. He said, "yes, I just sometimes do that." He seemed like he was come back from somewhere far away and had returned with something for me, from that far away place. I was feeling a little uncomfortable by what seemed like some sort of theatrics, but knowing Michel and knowing Jan, it was not. Neither was he joking. I was mystified.
When I drove Michael back to Jan's house, before we went into the house, we sat briefly in the car. I asked him, "Are you screwing with me?" "No", he said. "I am not." I felt like an ass for saying that, but I felt scared that I was going on some wild goose chase. What did bridge have to do with being awake, being enlightened? Since That conversation in the car, I have had wisps of awareness cross through my mind, about everything being of the one life, worthy of my attention. My attachment to certain forms, and feeling like I was wasting my time and life with the rest, was an old way of seeing that was going to need to be revisited and possibly revised..
Michael also told me to consider the staring of the club, the playing of the game of bridge, everything to do with it, to be my path and practice. Now, I see that since I started this, just today, my old habits of how I approach challenges, of how I respond to things when I feel unnerved, is still the same. I feel the need to quickly, "get on top of it." Get it all under control. My attention drifts away from everything else going on around me, as I try to think of how I can do this right, not screw it up, maybe even be that best at it! The ego is strong. It wants a lot, and it wants it now! Can I do this with devotion to the master and humility?
My Master Tells Me To Start A Bridge Club....
I met with Michael at my home, once before, and we talked about many thinks. I was testing the water, trying to get a sense of him, away from the crowds. I felt he was sincere, direct, uncomplicated and clear. I felt very at-ease. I met with him again yesterday. This time we went deeper, and I talked about my confusion over my friend Rich telling me I was awake. And that he was too. I needed to get the heart of this matter. Did I not know what awake really was?
Michael told me I was awake, but that there were many levels of being awake. Enlightenment, he said, was the wisdom of knowing the awake state through many experiences though helping others to understand the same in themselves. I told him I wanted his as my teacher. he agreed and proceeded to tell me, not ask me, that he wanted me to start a bridge club. "Bridge?" "You want me to start a bridge club?" "Yes", he said. I was floored.
Why? Why a bridge club? What did that have to do with enlightenment? I didn't even like card games, and bridge sounded very uncool, very unsexy. Bridge!?! I drove him back to Jan's house and we went inside. As I was sitting at the kitchen table he asked me how I was doing. I said I was already feeling resistance to his direction. He said, "good, that means we're getting somewhere". I felt sorry for myself and slunk out of the house and back to my home.
I was not going to be knocked over by this, I said to myself. It is "just a card game", I said to myself. I drove into town later for a couple of meetings, and stopped at the local bookstore to see if they had any bridge books. I bought, "Bridge For Dummies." It was exactly how I felt, like a dummy. I was being tested, I was convinced, to see how gullible I was. Would I play into the old game of being controlled by a guru. I was too aware for this, I thought. I felt uneasy and sure I was going to waste a huge amount of my time with something completely useless.
Later that night I spoke with Rich on the phone and told him all about my three hour meeting with Michael, me asking him to be my teacher and his telling me to start a bridge club. "What do you think about all this?", I asked. He said, "It sounds good to me." I said, "What? You think this is a good idea?" "Sure", he said. I was glum again. Rich was an experienced person spiritually. He had traveled many spiritual roads, and had had a number of important teachers himself. I felt ungrateful. Here I had asked Michael to be my teacher, and already I was regretting what I had gotten myself into.
Michael told me I was awake, but that there were many levels of being awake. Enlightenment, he said, was the wisdom of knowing the awake state through many experiences though helping others to understand the same in themselves. I told him I wanted his as my teacher. he agreed and proceeded to tell me, not ask me, that he wanted me to start a bridge club. "Bridge?" "You want me to start a bridge club?" "Yes", he said. I was floored.
Why? Why a bridge club? What did that have to do with enlightenment? I didn't even like card games, and bridge sounded very uncool, very unsexy. Bridge!?! I drove him back to Jan's house and we went inside. As I was sitting at the kitchen table he asked me how I was doing. I said I was already feeling resistance to his direction. He said, "good, that means we're getting somewhere". I felt sorry for myself and slunk out of the house and back to my home.
I was not going to be knocked over by this, I said to myself. It is "just a card game", I said to myself. I drove into town later for a couple of meetings, and stopped at the local bookstore to see if they had any bridge books. I bought, "Bridge For Dummies." It was exactly how I felt, like a dummy. I was being tested, I was convinced, to see how gullible I was. Would I play into the old game of being controlled by a guru. I was too aware for this, I thought. I felt uneasy and sure I was going to waste a huge amount of my time with something completely useless.
Later that night I spoke with Rich on the phone and told him all about my three hour meeting with Michael, me asking him to be my teacher and his telling me to start a bridge club. "What do you think about all this?", I asked. He said, "It sounds good to me." I said, "What? You think this is a good idea?" "Sure", he said. I was glum again. Rich was an experienced person spiritually. He had traveled many spiritual roads, and had had a number of important teachers himself. I felt ungrateful. Here I had asked Michael to be my teacher, and already I was regretting what I had gotten myself into.
Meeting My Master
The Back Story:
I met Michael Walsh through a woman I have been going to hear talk, about the awakened state. She has been one of the most inspirational teachers I have ever had, because she is so ordinary. Her name is Jan Frazier. When I am with her, she is like an old friend. She has no hidden agendas, no undisclosed neurosis or phobias. No power trips or posses of devotees. She is clear, plain and gentle. And I adore her.
She gave me hope, like no other teacher I've had before, that awakening is natural and everyday. She, like Wayne Liquorman, David Carse and Krishnamurti have shown me what life is like beyond "isms". Beyond doctrines and paths, techniques and mantras. What a relief! With her inspiration I have found I have been able to swim in the blissful waters of myself as presence, focusing on the here-and-now. Just resting in my awareness as witness, to this life, that is transpiring before my very eyes.
I had been going to sit with her, and listen to her, these last two years. My growing affection and familiarity with her, as I felt myself drawing closer to this ordinary reality we call awareness, was inspiring in it's simplicity and naturalness. I had been taking writing classes with Jan too, since she is a writing teacher, and saw the opportunity to meld my desire to communicate my experience of my seeing life in this way, with my love of words and writing.
Then, in January of this year, Jan started talking about a man who had contacted her from California over a year before. They had spent the last year emailing and talking on the phone, developing a relationship as peers, though Jan would later say that Michael was her teacher. Their plan was to start teaching together, once he moved to the East Coast. She described him as the most awake person she had ever met. She urged us to take advantage of the "wonderful, good fortune" of his presence with us.
Michael arrived in February and the first joint teaching was arranged through an Insight Meditation group down in Western, MA. Two Hundred people showed up, mostly out of curiosity, to see who this man was that Jan spoke so highly of. He stood there, in the middle of the room, tall, thin, weathered, with sparse grey hair and beard stubble and some teeth missing. He had no techniques. He had no meditations. He had no path or teaching, other than to say what being awake was not. I was electrified. I was home. I was scared. This man could do serious damage. I was in.
I met Michael Walsh through a woman I have been going to hear talk, about the awakened state. She has been one of the most inspirational teachers I have ever had, because she is so ordinary. Her name is Jan Frazier. When I am with her, she is like an old friend. She has no hidden agendas, no undisclosed neurosis or phobias. No power trips or posses of devotees. She is clear, plain and gentle. And I adore her.
She gave me hope, like no other teacher I've had before, that awakening is natural and everyday. She, like Wayne Liquorman, David Carse and Krishnamurti have shown me what life is like beyond "isms". Beyond doctrines and paths, techniques and mantras. What a relief! With her inspiration I have found I have been able to swim in the blissful waters of myself as presence, focusing on the here-and-now. Just resting in my awareness as witness, to this life, that is transpiring before my very eyes.
I had been going to sit with her, and listen to her, these last two years. My growing affection and familiarity with her, as I felt myself drawing closer to this ordinary reality we call awareness, was inspiring in it's simplicity and naturalness. I had been taking writing classes with Jan too, since she is a writing teacher, and saw the opportunity to meld my desire to communicate my experience of my seeing life in this way, with my love of words and writing.
Then, in January of this year, Jan started talking about a man who had contacted her from California over a year before. They had spent the last year emailing and talking on the phone, developing a relationship as peers, though Jan would later say that Michael was her teacher. Their plan was to start teaching together, once he moved to the East Coast. She described him as the most awake person she had ever met. She urged us to take advantage of the "wonderful, good fortune" of his presence with us.
Michael arrived in February and the first joint teaching was arranged through an Insight Meditation group down in Western, MA. Two Hundred people showed up, mostly out of curiosity, to see who this man was that Jan spoke so highly of. He stood there, in the middle of the room, tall, thin, weathered, with sparse grey hair and beard stubble and some teeth missing. He had no techniques. He had no meditations. He had no path or teaching, other than to say what being awake was not. I was electrified. I was home. I was scared. This man could do serious damage. I was in.
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