– Heaven –
A beautiful weekend morning finds an angelic group of friends in their obligatory all-white gowns preparing to step onto the Wimbledon-esque grass courts of Earth for a little fun and exercise.

 It is in that moment, as they step on to the court (Earth), that the transition occurs from loving angels to human competitors – all the heavenly harmony and unity is deliberately put aside for a brief human lifetime while the game is to be played. 

This is the human experience – it’s not a simulation or a matrix or a test – it’s just a game (of tennis).

 – As in Heaven, so on Earth –
We can all relate with our Soul’s temporary identity as a competitor.  We all play and compete in variations of games every day. 

We play the obvious games – beer pong with friends or CandyCrush while we should be working. Sometimes we play less obvious games like when we compete to see who can best the other through debating ideas and concepts.  Some games we play solo – like solitaire, trying to stick to a diet, or meditating.  Other games involve teams and are structured – these include organized sports, corporations, and religions. 
Before you get upset with me – remember to relax – it’s just a game.

I wonder how many different heavenly games there are?  I wonder how many look like Earth? 
If I had to guess, I would say each heavenly game involves some aspect of consciousness experience, with its own set of rules and different playing fields.   So when angels gather to play the equivalents of our rugby or blackjack or chess, those activities may look different from what we know as human earth but different objectives and equipment aside,
they are all just games being played within the greater existence of (heavenly) life. 

For our purpose here today, we will call this human/ earth game Mind Tennis.
(which just happens to be symbolically similar to our earth tennis).

The premise – we are angels that have taken human form to hit and grunt and swing and gain,
all at the expense of our opponents and all while (hopefully) remembering it is just a game.
Want to be a good sport and play along?  
Here we go!

Mind Tennis –  game play.
Mind Tennis play begins when a player steps up to the line and serves up an idea (the ball) and the rally begins.  We could say this is what I am doing now!

The ball (ideas) are not possessed in tennis the way they are in other games. The nature of this particular game involves ideas moving back and forth between the players.  Each player’s interaction adds a little something before it is sent back out across the court for interpretation.  This ‘rally’ is our communication.  We send our ideas towards others in creative forms – words, images, sounds, actions.  We take a shot at communicating something from within – my mind to your mind and back again.
We call this fun – and it is!  Until we start to care too much about proving our points.

If one player smashes idea after idea towards another with no chance of contact being made, the game doesn’t amount to much of an experience for either of them.  Meaningful interaction is the key – winning and losing is irrelevant when it comes to enjoying the game and having fun.  This is why we play games with friends and especially those of a similar skill level.   A great rally between two players of equivalent skill is exciting – balanced play keeps each player on their toes, engaged in the game, and developing as a player.

Scoring
Mind tennis idea-balls have a tendency to land on (or just over) the line – rarely is a point scored in a clear and concise manner.   To further complicate scoring, there is no referee and each player must judges their own success..  This level of subjectivity makes scoring incredibly difficult – so much so, it’s almost obvious that the game can only be played for run, but amazingly, these facts don’t stop human players from trying to win!  

If an opponent receives our idea in a way we perceive as positive (ie – if we have successfully conveyed the point) we unilaterally claim to have won that point.  Our opponent may see it differently and should they express their position, we enter into another rally.  Other times we may try and try but despite our best efforts we fail to realize our desired outcome in which case we may call that a loss.   …or rather a draw, as we are quick to reference any number of variables and reasons why that particular point was unfair and should not be scored against us.  
Sound complicated?   It is!  Such is the game of mind tennis – with its wildly subjective rules and insane scoring system. 
Thankfully it is just a game – if only we could remember that.

You play for fun?  Wonderful!  But you will inevitably come across the off fanatic that think mind tennis is real and/or the only sport that matters!  What do you do then?  This passion for the game can create some real sportsmanship problems amongst the players
(along with some serious tension with the mind-pickleball players!) 

Similarly, we may find players whose minds are preoccupied with other ideas.  They squander the little court time they have here on Earth while speculating about other heavenly games or forgetting that daylight won’t last forever.  Some players spend too much of their game time arguing over the game rules, taking selfies of their tennis outfits, or discussing other sports to really enjoy the mind tennis experience.  If only we could realize that our human awareness extends only as far as the chain link that surrounds these particular courts.  Who cares what else or other games are out there, we are here to play mind tennis so let’s play and enjoy! 

You say “Fair enough – it’s a game, but we must still take it seriously.”
Of course!  A good player plays hard and remains focused.  All games need a little competitiveness – a little us-vs-them (or me-vs-myself) mentality is required when we play.  One’s gain is the other’s loss but let’s remember this is only meaningful within the context of the game.  A good player can make that distinction.  They are said to have their “mind in the game”. 

If a player is distracted by fantasies of winning, stressed about losing, concerned with how they look while playing, preoccupied with what they will be doing later, or anything else that takes their attention away from the play, they have lost focus.  To be drawn into a game is what we love about playing!  Kids lose themselves in play all the time but adults sometimes forget to do this.  A serious but playful nature is the balance found by mature players – to enjoy and play as though the game matters, even though it doesn’t.  

So, how good of a player are you? 
Who cares!
Did you have fun playing? 

Some humans seem well suited for this particular sport. Some are naturally gifted with complementary attributes – tall and strong and physically coordinated.  Some had parents that also loved the game and put a racket in their hand from a young age.  Some just can’t seem to get a grip on the basics but love to play and are happy to just run around the court.  We must remember that enjoyment can’t be measured in (or by) others.  

Plus, skills developed within a game are only conceptually real.  They do not translate over to the real world. Tennis technique that allows for a 100 mph serve will not comfort that player in moments of emotional pain or allow them to overcome unfulfilled desires.  The game is not (real) life, though we will play the game as part of life. Games are to be enjoyed but what’s real is always bigger than the game. 

Of course I can’t be sure but I doubt there are any professional tennis players in heaven.  I just can’t see angelic players playing for money – they only play for fun. They are amateurs in the purest sense – they play for the love of the game.  They compete against another because that is the nature of the game, but were they to measure anything, they would measure only themselves.  They play hard, attack and deceive and work as if it matters knowing they will share a drink and a laugh when it is all over.

With no professional leagues, I doubt there are spectators or fans in heaven either.  Angels have better things to do than watch silly-dressed pretend-competitors struggling over making a point.  Back and forth, left-right-left-right – it is dizzying to watch and the spectator’s head would only shake out of amusement. 

This ridiculous game of idea’s flying back and forth through the air is pointless in the context of real life.  Of course this is true, but there always seems to be one person that take things a little too seriously.   This is a trait of humans – getting lost in the game is so easy even spectators can fall victim to the seductive nature of believing a game is real.  An otherwise neutral spectator arbitrarily selects a preferred competitor and that spectator now plays their own game within the win/loss structure.  A transformation can occur as the casual observers morphs into a radicalized hooligan!   All of a suddent the game means more to that person, even tho the game always remains a game in reality.  To help that person understand – it is just a battle over points, a struggle to have our ideas received – and yet look at the effort we put into winning.  And for what?

Again, I am not saying there is anything wrong with the game mattering.  This applies to players and the odd spectators alike.  The game must matter to make its playing (or spectating) worthwhile.  If it didn’t matter, there would be no enjoyment in the win or suffering from defeat and we wouldn’t pay it any attention.  There would be no experience at all!   

If only we could find a healthy balance.  Perhaps it starts with our objective.
Let realize – we are here to play a little mind tennis. Let’s focus on having fun vs winning.  We are just minds attempting to better each other – can we enjoy the company of the other while simultaneously attempting to reshape them through tactful communication?  Can we find a way to make that fun, regardless of winning the point?

No… we love to win.  Although, if you best your opponent, serving up an idea that results in their way of thinking more closely aligning with yours, and they are a good sport about it – our society calls that a win-win.  You played, your opponent offered just enough of a challenge but you won (so you believe), so you feel happy, and they have truly conceded the match in a way you deem adequate. 
Of course this may not be what has actually happened, but that is how you see it, and that is all that matters.  Or is it?  Was it fun?  How do you feel in the end?  Does anyone want to play with you in the future?

I guess when we look at the game this way, it must have more substance than just the end result.  There must be more than winning.   Recognize how the game fits within the real world, there is no point to the ball going back and forth – that only matters within the game.   Maybe this is the game within the game? – the ‘how’ we play.  

Match point – back to Earth
My last serve for this one –
We have stepped onto this court at this moment together. 
In order to be a good sport, I must ask myself if I am trying to best you with my points or if I am here to have fun?
How do I communicate my ideas of mind process and optimizing experience and what ideas do I have about you receiving, understanding, and returning my information?   
Am I competing with you, myself, or enjoying this moment in the present?

Maybe you are here to play.  Maybe you will return my ideas with your own spin on them. 
How will your shots develop my skill?  Will I be humble if I measure you as more skilled?

Of course, no worries if we don’t match up well.  Whether you are a passionate player or just out fro a bit of light exercise, I hope we can all remember that eventually the sun will go down and we’ll all need to return home. This is just a game, a temporary activity that we can get lost in and have fun with on a sunny weekend morning in heaven. Hopefully everyone finds an aspect of the game that is enjoyable and fulfilling. 

p.s.
A public service announcement from MTPA
(Mind Tennis Players Anonymous)

Is the debt of smashed rackets adding up?
Shoulder, elbow, or knee pain keeping you up at night?

You may be struggling with Player Addition.

When the game is no longer enjoyable,
when it causes you pain and suffering (and not in a good way)
you are ready to make the recognition that the game is taking over your life.

Know You Are Not Alone.

Did you know – the vast majority of players struggle from Player Addiction.

The problem has become so significant that these courts of Earth may not survive much longer due to the damage being caused.  

But there is hope!

You need not put the racket down altogether.
There is no need to throw a tantrum or take your ball(s) and go home.

No – the answer lies in the slightest adjustment in your grip.
Loosen up and relax, just a little.

Holding on so tightly does not benefit you.. 
A loose grip will go a long way towards making the game more enjoyable.

Not sure how to let go?

Here are a few helpful hints:

1) Before each serve, look up at the sky and remind yourself that the sun will go down soon.
Notice that this very action is built into the serve itself?
When you are about to serve an idea, look up, recognize who you are and where you came from.
Use this reminder to make most of each rally in terms of enjoyment and not for winning points.

2) Assess your grip between receiving ideas.
Are you gripping again?  Straining more than required?  Trying vs flowing and enjoying?
Effort causes pain.  Make the decision to consciously loosen your grip between each interaction.

3) Are you struggling with the looming dusk?  Do you not want the game to end?
Remind yourself that the end of each game is well deserved time to rest and recuperate.
No game lasts forever, nor would we want it to!
Take comfort in knowing that tomorrow will also be a beautiful, sunny weekend morning in heaven
and you can return to play again and again and for as long as you want.

Let’s all work together to keep our game healthy and enjoyable.