I found this artical in muscle mag. Please read it because it applies to all of us in some way, shape or form.

If you learned something from it, then bump it..........

I sure did.....

Keep the faith.

ICE

Musclemag June 2000

The religion of bodybuilding

Is bodybuilding a religion? Is that very statement pushing the bounds of sacrilege? The comparison is not intended to be a cavalier reference disparaging any individual's spiritual beliefs. Everyones decision to believe, or not believe, in the religious practice of his choice is an inalienable right worthy of the highest respect. It's also very personal. To a great degree it makes up who we are. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." [Prov. 23:7] The intention here is to draw upon a separate aspect of religion beyond its connection to a deity or any decreed standards of morality. The comparison is strictly one of devotion. The ability to believe or follow with passion separates us from the animals, and to be the best bodybuilder you can be is impossible without passion!

The dictionary defines religion as "any system of belief conduct or ritual; a state or way of life revolving around a philosophy shared with a congregation; a conscientious regard or pursuit for the betterment of life through a specific doctrine." Anyone familiar with the dedication necessary to build a healthier more muscular body would agree that all those definitions can easily apply to bodybuilding. Yet the pursuit of improved muscularity is an endeavor that defies description. It has been called a sport, a hobby, art. It's even been referred to as a cult. Although all of those definitions are somewhat applicable, none of them fully describes its essence. Much like any religion, its meaning depends on the individual's interperation. Again, it's personal.

Bodybuilding shares another similarity to religion that is often overlooked. It provides solace from the overwhelming ravages of life. When you're in the gym and all the elements are in place focus, intensity, concentration it has a way of removing you from life's burdens.

In many ways lifting weights is the ultimate form of meditation. In common with any endeavor that requires one to reach down into one's soul and get in touch with one's inner self, the experience or its significance is difficult to convey to others. It must be understood on a firsthand basis. To truly know the deep gratification and reward of bodybuilding, you have to do it. And you have to persevere. Only then will the joy and benefits manifest themselves. You reap what you sow.

Speak to any longtime devotees of bodybuilding and you'll hear a multitude of varying procedures in which they approach their craft. Sometimes the methods they follow are so entrenched, their convictions so unshakable, that one has difficulty seeing someone else's point of view. Sound familiar? As different as one ideology may be from another, the end result is the same. All roads lead to the same destination. Along the way what's working for me may not be best for you, and vice versa. What really matters is that ultimately, if we persist, we'll be closer to our goals. In many ways the grandeur is in the passion and the pursuit of those goals, not the technical execution. To that end we're a lot more alike than we may realize.

Beyond the dedication necessary to achieve success as a bodybuilder, there's also the artistic element, an appreciation of the human form. Muscles look good but where and when did our obsession with muscularity begin? As with all belief systems, bodybuilding has its origins and its ascension. The reverence for physical perfection dates back to ancient Greece. Although this period is considered the dawn of western philosophy and higher thinking, the primary teachings at the time, besides philosophy, were the mathematics of music and you guessed it - physical betterment. These were the studies thought to encompass the totality of a superior existence. The quest for physical perfection, or as close to it as possible, was as significant as any of the others. Keep in mind this was the civilization that originated the Olympic Games. The great thinkers of the time heralded the merits of exercise. Aristotle penned the saying; 'A sound mind in a sound body." Socrates, considered by many to be humanity's greatest mind made this statement to his pupils: "No one has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a tragedy for someone to grow old without realizing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable."

Over two thousand years later millions of bodybuilders essentially echo that sentiment with their undying devotion toward pushing their bodies to the limit. To those outside the fraternity, the goal may appear frivolous or narcissistic, but to those of us who can comprehend its majesty, it is a most admirable endeavor.

Throughout the ages the reverence for physical perfection became sidetracked. During history's "Dark Ages" intellect and the quest for physical improvement were of little concern to a world suffering from plague and famine. Mere survival was the main, and often the only, priority. The Greek ideals weren't shared by other cultures until the 16th century when Europe experienced its Renaissance. This rebirth of learning spawned some of the world's greatest artists with a renewed admeration for physical magnificence. Michelangelo saw the body as a manifestation of the soul. Coincidentally or not, artists of that time were employed by the church. The connection between religion and Michelangelo's knowledge of human anatomy coalesced in masterpieces such as the paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, as well as the famous statue of David. These works glorified the human body and were looked upon as testaments to God's greatness. Also around this time the church began encouraging physical activity among its practitioners. Inventor, artist, and medical practitioner Leonardo da Vinci advocated the benefits of exercise and its ability to help people resist illness.

Oddly enough, at the turn of the 20th century, the crusade touting the benefits of bodybuilding got off to a slow start. Pioneers such as John Cilimek, George Eiferman, Sig Klein and, yes, even Angelo Siciliano (better known as

Charles Atlas) began constructing coherent principles of a healthful lifestyle through the concept of proper nutritional intake and "progressive resistance" - i.e. lifting weights. The practice of weight training along with its devotees was, for the most part, dismissed by the reigning authorities as unnecessary, potentially dangerous, damaging to the reproductive system and downright deviant. Thankfully the early pioneers forged on, exalting the benefits of weight training to all who would listen. They instinctively knew what Aristotle knew - that the mind and the body are indivisible. They must coexist. They must both be healthy and strong in order for each to reach its fullest potential. That concept is referred to today as the mind-body-spirit connection.

Modern bodybuilding went through its own renaissance after 1975. That was the year Pumping Iron was released. One could hardly have anticipated that a documentary about a subculture sport would prove to be so popular, but thanks to the charisma of its star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the bodybuilding creed reached far beyond its esoteric inner circle, spreading outward and capturing the interest of the masses. Arnold equated working out with a mystical experience. His simple yet articulate expression was infectiously inspiring. Schwarzenegger was a new and powerful spokesman for the virtues of bodybuilding. Some may say he is modem bodybuilding's messiah. At any rate we can safely say that bodybuilding as we now know it would not be the same without the influence of Arnold Schwarzenegger. He embodied the power of bodybuilding and made converts of millions in the process.
Bodybuilding has come a long way. Today thousands of men and women invest their time, money and effort in the pursuit of a better body. It holds a special importance for everyone who participates in it. Bodybuilders have no shrines, other than the stacks of iron that challenge us. Our garb is humble - ragged T-shirts and sweatpants. Our altar ... the squat rack. We test ourselves often, and often we fail. The pursuit isn't easy. It can't be faked. We sometimes question its purpose and doubt our ability to prevail, Yet, to those who make it to the mountaintop, its rewards are immeasurable. As frustrating as the climb may be, it can only be overcome with persistence and hard work. The bodybuilder's diet and supplement regimen demands that sacrifices be made and the guidelines that we follow must be habitual. We do it because we believe in it. In that sense bodybuilding can indeed be considered a religion.
How deep is your belief ? Is your time in the gym important to you? Do you find the challenge of lifting more and more weight a noble goal? Are you often obsessed with acquiring knowledge in a desire to obtain more muscle? Are you committed to do what is required to reach another level of achievement and understanding? Are you so sure of the endless possibilities obtainable through bodybuilding that nothing or no one can sway your convictions? If so, you are truly one of the brethren. You are a bodybuilder. Keep the faith.

Your welcome........

quote:

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Originally posted by Zeke_B:
In my case, it's an obsessive/compulsive
disorder....plain and simple. It's not
something I want to do. It's something
I have to do.

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That's the case with me about 90% of the time, it's not even a choice. The other 10% I actually WANT to do it.

Take the artical for what it is worth.

It's just like a theory, it is a tool that can be used for certain things.........

All I am saying is that it is a tool for learning.

That is why we are all on this board.

ICE

ICE

I feel the need to get in the gym too. It's such a good stress reliever, that it has really helped me and most of us through tough times. This is one of the healthiest stress reducers out there, and doesn't cause any negative sides. Long live bodybuilding!!