Valley of Flowers
breathing
correctly is underrated, considered the old man. He thought how much he enjoyed being up in
these mountains. Arjuna was happiest , he knew, being in the glorious untamed. He felt glad too being in the company of this fine young
fellow.
     
    The old
man u nderstood well that while held in by age in the immediate
present, he was free to travel into his past, and do so whenever he
liked.
     
    Although he did have yearnings for his drive
to attain good height, length, then have it sit up nicely on some
turf, he knew it may not happen that way and he was content with
that.
     
    In performing any life duty, the old man
thought it well and good to intellectually plan it first, but then
be willing to let go of the intellect, to carry on intuitively, to
allow any idea to develop and live as it might. He thought this ideal for his stage in
life, known as the sannyasi or one in full retirement. He believed it was best
to use his powers of letting go. He felt the intellect , or
splendid mind gift should also be used selectively.
     
    The old man remembered then welcomed the
return of his younger playing self. This one appeared to have arrived directly from
that long ago major battlefield. He stood by silently.
     
    To get ready more, the old man evoked the three
breathings: prana , vyana and apana . This
exercise gives all who try it their ultimate strength in performing an endeavor.
     
    Arjuna concentrated on this ancient
technique in proper breathing. Keep the peace and do not go looking
for more excitement, he advised his younger self. This was meant to relax him so he
might calmly enjoy the essence.
     

But then a cleanliness drive was started by
him. Originally, when Arjuna first set out for Europe, then onto
America to play professionally, this routine had begun in
fun ; h owever , it soon became a psychic need.
Mental fret morphed into all-out physical fuss. Then it went permanent.
     
    On the 1st tee of this Himalayan course
known as Truind, the old man's nervous energy, based on fear and
anxiety, began covering both forearms and pant legs. His one free
hand went to wipe the face of the clubhead. He did this in repeated
fast motion. Arjuna's hand rose to wipe a bit of sweat off his
forehead. In another incarnation of fearing, the old man moistened
his left thumb that wiped again the face of the silver-headed
driver. That done, he brushed his cheeks with two fingers. He wiped
below the nose. This act went up to his forehead to swab what
wetness was retained.
     
    With his hand acting on fear's behalf, the
old man moved to brush down the puff clouds he had for hair. His
hand stayed to pat down all on top. A breeze passed by for no
apparent reason other than to mess with his crowning
achievements.
     
    Arjuna went about correcting what was undone. He did this
in a flash. He made his hand work as a four-fingered comb. His hand
behaved also as a kind
of towel tool. This helped erase any lingering wetness.
     
    His hand made the trip down then with his hard-at-work fingers
to pluck a time or two at the shoulders ’ area . He pulled again at his shirt to be extra certain. In this way he hoped
his arms, his shoulders, his armpits also , could get more breathing
room.
     
    Purity achieved, Arjuna negotiated yet another safe spot
for his tee shot to land.
     
    Now
t he old man looked ready to put in motion the final touches
of one more club waggle. Nicolas believed he did this to avoid the actual hitting of the ball. How easy
can it be? he shouted in
his head. The thing’s not even moving!
     
    Another practice swing occurred for no r eason. Nicolas cleared
his throat. He wished to clear the air also by saying a thing or two about Arjuna's
inability to get things rolling. Inside he cried out, Well, why not
just hit the thing!
     
    Following more grip renewals, a focused calm
appeared on the one with the apparent heavy burden. It may have
looked to all and sundry that the old man was ready to hit, and do
so with a bit of

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