I try to play basketball every weekend. I go to a local public school with my brother and several other guys who we have met at the court over the course of the months that we played there. The baskets are below average and the court well below the baskets too, but none of that could matter any less because when I get on the court, I’m thankful that I have reached my shrine of self-improvement even though it's made of the most simple concrete.

Basketball is used as a tool for MMA fighters to build endurance and stamina, because running up and done a court is simply a great way to do just that. What pulls me to the court every weekend though are not the physical benefits but the mental benefits and the lessons about spirituality that I learn. If the game didn’t give me a good sweat or a physical challenge I’d still enjoy it for the clarity and focus it brings.

When I hit the court the only thing I have on my mind is improving so that I can play better, so that I have more fun playing, my team mates more fun passing to me and my opponents to fear me a little more. All other thoughts about work, goals, to-do’s and self-criticism of late just vanish because at that moment what matters is sinking the ball into the net and trying to guard an opposing player. I have to be focused on my task and be mindful of everything that is going on around me. To me even when trying to meditate (given the fact that I probably don’t know how to do it very well) I don't get the same level of focus and mindfulness.

To expand on why I think basketball ( and probably any other competitive team sport could ) has developed me mentally and spiritually is that fact that it requires a certain level of humility. I don’t see how I could improve if I didn’t acknowledge my flaws and how I can do my best every time if I do not respect the opponent. Also getting destroyed by a better player in a play or just getting demolished by a far superior team requires a steady ego and the ability to stay humble. Many times I find myself thanking team mates who point out a mistake in my defensive positioning or even an opponent when he so obviously abuses one of my mistakes ( although I only thank opponents in my head, because I’m not that great a Stoic yet.)

Furthermore basketball has challenged my social skills too, whenever someone new appears I had to greet them, say my name and all the standard procedures that come with meeting someone. In the beginning some 9-10 months ago, I would hardly say “Hello” and was to afraid to ask if I could join someone in a game. Meanwhile I find myself greeting random people on different courts and asking them if they want to join my game. I was actually really surprised when I did that the other day and was on a natural high for the rest of the day.

My realization and what I wanna put out in the world is that self-improvement can take any shape and that a sport may develop you mentally and spiritually as much as or more than any book on the topic could(Note: I do read many such books). This doesn’t mean that I think everyone should play competitive sports to become humble but rather than you can use an activity such as basketball to practise what you learn from philosophy and books.

I once read a quote that I think applies very well here “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. WIlling is not enough, we must do”