Reading Quantum Physics made me a Buddhist
I have always liked reading biographies of successful people, especially those who have changed their lives for the better through spirituality… people such as Tina Turner and Boy George have pulled through very difficult personal experiences by engaging in spiritual practice. By studying Buddhism, they were able to better deal with their experiences and from there, move on towards a more positive direction.
I like how their honesty and their public sharing have inspired others who are perhaps at a difficult time in their lives too… and for themselves try out spirituality to embetter their lives. Like all of us, celebrities are no different and have their own set of problems and worries… because after all no one is free from suffering!
Below is an article, video and audio interview about Jonny Wilkinson and his encounter with Buddhism. As a national hero of England through his rugby career, Jonny experienced the many “highs” related to being a celebrity rugby player… but as life seemed to get better, he felt that he had a lot to lose… and gradually became overwhelmed with fear.
Do read the article below about Wilkinson’s realisation between quantum physics and Buddhism! I feel there are many people out there that will be able to relate to this!
Tsem Rinpoche
Audio interview with Jonny Wilkinson, expressing how Buddhism have helped him
Jonny Wilkinson making history in Rugby World Cup
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/wilkinson-video.mp4
THE RUGBY LEGEND WHO BECAME A BUDDHIST BY READING QUANTUM PHYSICS
by Walter Jayawardhana
The rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson hit world headlines due to his 2003 World Cup final heroics, when his drop goal in the last minute of extra-time delivered the trophy to England. He made another sensation when he told the London Times that he became a Buddhist by reading Quantum Physics.
Wilkinson, a millionaire by then has revealed that he has found inner peace through Buddhism.
The former England Rugby star, who became a national hero after the world cup victory, said Buddhism had helped him overcome a fear of failure which was ruining his life ironically due to the victory..
London‘s Daily Mail said, “His obsessive perfectionism had been making him miserable but Buddhism had liberated him from being motivated by ‘money, status, or ego’.”
He said moments after he won the world title against Australia in Sydney he was having strong feelings of anti-climax.
He was quoted having said later “I did not know what it really meant to be happy. I was afflicted by a powerful fear of failure and did not know how to free myself from it.”
After winning the World Cup serious injuries put him out of international rugby for four years.
During this derailment he tried to learn guitar, piano, French and Spanish as a distraction.
A report said, “In the end he had a ‘Eureka’ moment while reading a book on quantum physics – the study of sub-atomic particles.”‚
“Quantum physics helped me to realise that I was creating this destructive reality and that all I needed to do to change it was to change the way I chose to perceive the world,” he told the Times.
“I do not like religious labels, but there is a connection between quantum physics and Buddhism, which I was also getting into.”
His epiphany came after reading about a famous experiment in quantum physics known as Schrodinger’s Cat, a report said.
“It was all about the idea that an observer can change the world just by looking at something; the idea that mind and reality are somehow interconnected,” Wilkinson explained.
“It is difficult to put into words, but it hit me like a steam train.”
He continued: “I came to understand that I had been living a life in which I barely featured. I had spent my time immersed in the fear of not achieving my goals and then spent my time beating myself up about the mistakes I made along the way. Quantum physics helped me to realise that I was creating this destructive reality and that all I needed to do to change it was to change the way I chose to perceive the world.
“Failing at something is one thing, but Buddhism tells us that it is up to us how we interpret that failure.
‘The so-called Middle Way is also about having the right intentions.
“[Buddhism] a philosophy and way of life that resonates with me,” he revealed. I identify with it. I agree with so much of the sentiment behind it. I enjoy the liberating effect it’s had on me to get back into the game.”‚
“Are they decent and honest and are you giving consideration to other people? Selfishness can never be the route to happiness or success.”
Wilkinson‘s live-in girlfriend Shelley Jenkins, 27, the daughter of a scaffolding magnate, is apparently ‘really happy’ about Wilkinson‘s new enlightenment.
“I have improved as a person in my relationships, not just with her, but with friends and family,” he said.
Asked to explain the deeper reason for his Buddhist faith, he added: “I think it was rooted in an even deeper fear of death.”
“I couldn‘t figure out how to avoid death: it was like a game I could not win. The closer I got to family and friends and the better things got, the more I had to lose.”
“I have accepted my career will finish one day and I am in a place that will enable me to make that transition comfortably. I will not have to reinvent myself to cope with life after rugby.”
He told the French news agency AFP, Buddhism, with its concepts of karma and rebirth, have freed me from the twin fears of death and life without rugby. It has given me the ability to understand that rugby, like life, will also come to an end.”
“My motivation today has nothing to do with status, money or ego. Before I wanted to be the best in the world and I would watch other players to see how I measured up. Now when I do something great on the rugby pitch it is not about being better than others but about exploring my talent… My fulfillment is no longer about self-gratification; it is about seeing the happiness of others.”
[Source: http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2012/06/10/the-rugby-legend-who-became-a-buddhist-by-reading-quantum-physics/]
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Wow….Rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson the England rugby star has revealed that he has found inner peace through Buddhism. In one of his final World Cup final heroic, he made headlines for winning the trophy for England and became a Buddhist by reading Quantum Physics. He told the London Times that Buddhism had helped him overcome fear of failure which was ruining his life ironically due to the victory. Quantum physics helped him to realise that he was creating a destructive reality and that all he needed to do to change it was to change the way he chose to perceive the world. He said that his life has taken a turn after finding Quantum Physics and Buddhism. Failing at something is one thing, but Buddhism tells us that it is up to us how we interpret that failure. Interesting read.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
It is inspiring reading this article and how Johnny described Buddhism and how the teaching has helped him. Many of us always chase for the worldly things as this is what our expectation and perceptions are formed since young. Always thinking that money, status and good career are important in our live and something we can’t leave without. But Johnny summarise his understanding on the teaching very well and how Buddhism impact his mindset. We should be clear of our motivation. Our own fulfillment which is mainly self gratification is not real happiness. Happiness is when we bring happiness to others.
Just hope more people like him will share out the thought of death. Nobody can win over it and eventuality it will come to us. We should not ignore it but the more need to think about it how to face it when the time come.
It is enlightening to read about the Rugby Legend, Jonny Wilkinson’s spiritual awakening. He did not let the fame and wealth as welll as the of fear of losing set him back. Instead, he sought answers and he found it in Quantum Physics, which he made a connection with Buddhism. He could see that Buddha’s teaching can be applied to his life to reinvent himself into someone better. He is a good example for us.
Quantum Physics………!!
I read it quite a bit too! LOL.
I can say that many things in quantum physics can’t be explain conventionally and one is pushed to accept the super mundane. For example, the quantum entanglement allows instantaneous “communications” between two particles; that must mean that the these communications must be faster than the speed of light which contradict Einstein relativity theory; and the “Double-Split Experiment” that can only be explained if particles of light; photons; somehow knows what other photons are doing.
In Buddhism, we are taught that every thing is intimated connected or all things are one. These teachings can easily explain observations that baffles quantum physicists.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this. Jonny Wilkinson is very intelligent, it is rare that a person who is in such a high status to question his own achievement. What he said is very true, the more we have the more we have to lose. Without Dharma, we will suffer from the possessions we have, fearing everyday when we will lose them. But Dharma teaches us impermanence and what life really is all about. Because of Dharma, Jonny Wilkinson no longer fear of losing or his life after his limited Rugby career. I am really glad that I am a Dharma worker.
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing this interviewed. Buddhism is a knowledge to unlock the deeper fear we have, realize that the fear we have are due to ignorant on the real life, attachment to something which is impermanent.
Dear Rinpoche,
I like the way Wilkinson mentioned that Buddhism is the Way of Life and similar to Quantum Physics 🙂
His fears of failure, of letting people down, are similar to most of us, and those are always what tie us down. By realising that all those are not important, he liberated himself and became a better person with deeper contemplation of Life…of Buddhism.
Like what his girlfriend experienced, Wilkinson’s acceptance of Buddhism, of Dharma made him a better person.
This is so true as I have experienced families that grew up with Dharma, and families that did not…the vast difference in understanding, acceptance, patience and forgiveness are so apparent.
Thank you for the wonderful post. It is so heart warming to see more and more Western celebrities embracing Buddhism.
+ Many times, we need to change our perspective, instead of changing the environment/ places. Inner to outward change is always right.
+ Life can be resumed at anytime if you dare to make a swift change; fruitful result is possible if we are able bare the darkness before the sun arise.
+ Due to impermanence, we shall cultivate our mind always with the right motivation to become better and help others eventually.
+ May we all get the blessing from 3 jewels always. :}