Page 170 - THE ENDLESS WAVE | Skateboarding, Death & Spirituality
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THE ENDLESS WAVE | PART TWO
nect from around the world and relate to different elements of the Skateboar- der’s journey, which is such an incredible facet of Skateboarding to experience and explore.
Skateboarding has no leaders, it has no one telling you how or where to skate. It’s just you and your board. You can certainly be inspired by other skateboar- ders and learn from them, maybe even be mentored by some of them, but the experience is going to be very individualized for you as you are the only one living in your body, mind and spirit.
No one else is going to progress you on your path for you. Skateboarding teaches its participants to embark on self-discovery. For instance, you might seek out some pointers or trick tip tutorials which can give you some guidance and show you things like foot positioning and board movements, but for you to be able to learn and apply it, you’ll need to try it for yourself. Practice, practice, practice!
Skateboarding’s DIY approach pushes skaters to find and pave their own path. It’s one for all and all for one. The nature of learning Skateboarding through observation, experiment and experience instills qualities of resil- ience and dedicated intention, which optimizes qualities of independence and self-efficacy in Skateboarders. This serves as fuel for Skateboarders and their incredible ability to create something from nothing. For generations and generations, Skateboarders seek out the skateable and if there isn’t any- thing there, they’ll create their own spots and build their own obstacles.
Through thinking about these qualities of Skateboarding, there is great capac- ity for one to experience immense spiritual growth and transformation. In truth, everyone has the equal opportunity to become enlightened in Skate- boarding and life. Everyone has the ability to take what they learn and apply it. Through application, one is able to verify whether or not it has truth, sig- nificance and relevance through their own experiences.
For one to have a truly deep and meaningful spiritual path, one has to be able to ask questions, live out their experiences and relationship with the Divine and understand how they influence their own lives and are co-creators with
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