[sumo] [going off-topic] Daily doze-Asagate- August 12th

[Joe Petrow]

On 8/14/07, Kuramarujo <klemmerj at webtrek.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 2007-08-12 at 22:25 -0700, Keri Sibley wrote:
>
> > In addition to what Joe said, Chiyonofuji was 26 when
> > he made Yokozuna with only 2 yusho to his credit.
> > Asashoryu is just now 26! I think he should get over
> > himself, serve his punishment and get on with it. I
> > have a hard time believing he is this weak mentally.
>
>        Please try and remember that clinical depression is a PHYSICAL ailment.
> It doesn't matter how mentally strong one is, it's all about chemicals
> in the brain.

The physical composition of the brain can be physically changed by
one's way of thinking.  There was a fascinating study on Japanese Zen
monks recently that showed just how differently their brains work from
us normal schmucks that can't empty their minds of clutter on command.
 This didn't happen overnight;  it was a long term, concentrated and
purely mental effort, assumedly without the assitance of Xanax.

Think of the brain as a muscle.  As it is possible to strengthen
muscle through exercise, so it is possible to do much the same with
the brain.  And, as it is possible to temporarily enhance muscle
through the use of shortcuts such as steroids, so it is possible to
gain a temporary sense of tranquility through drugs.  And, as the use
of steroids has long-term consequences to one's overall health, so too
does the dependence of short-term chemical aids that dull the pain but
do not strengthen the brain to adequately handle live in a 21st
century society have consequences that affect one's long-term mental
health.

The only cure for Asashoryu is to get our there and fight back.

Sprinkle this post with liberal does of IMHO, of course.

  - Peterao