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From The Times

October 20, 2007

Jonny Wilkinson: Don’t call it a conversion, but doctrines of Buddhism have helped

The World Cup winner describes his epic journey from Sydney to Paris and how Buddhist reading has helped along the way

Jonny Wilkinson

Graphic: Final line-ups

There have been many times in the past four years when none of this — me, fit and about to play in a second World Cup final — seemed likely. When I came back from the last World Cup, I said it was a stepping-stone to the next one, that 2003 was not enough, that I wanted to do it again. Two or three years later I had pretty much crossed that thought out of my book. Instead I was immersed in feelings that I was struggling to deal with.

It is a fantastic honour, albeit an unlikely one, to be here today. But a lot has changed to get me here, which I will try to explain.

A nutshell example of what has been going on in my life was the captaincy. I was made captain of England three years ago. It was a massively exciting prospect. I did all the press stuff with huge enthusiasm — and I think I may have officially held the title for more than a year without making it on to the field.

When the captaincy was taken away, I got to thinking: “What is the point of all this enthusiasm and desire if I have no say in what’s happening?” I was watching the captaincy drift away, having not even had the opportunity to have any input or accountability. It just came and went. It was like my career, coming and going without my having the remotest influence. Where I wanted it to go seemed irrelevant.

The injuries I had were sometimes deep-rooted. I tore my groin, for instance, in a match against London Irish. Three-and-a-half months later I was still having herbal anti-inflammatory injections — nine a week, three every other day — and suddenly a specialist was telling me it was something to do with my back. It just wasn’t simple.

Before November 22, 2003, I felt I had a say in where I was going, but suddenly I’d lost any element of control. I’d be watching great new players like Toby Flood come through and thinking: “This is getting too much.”

So, for much of the past 3½ years I’ve been dealing with emotions that I didn’t understand. I couldn’t understand how I could sit there with all these thoughts going through my mind. Nothing was going the way I wanted it to and I was thinking: “I can’t deal with feeling like this, I can’t deal with my mind putting me through this.”

That made me stop and address. I couldn’t deal with my mind. The key for me, therefore, was understanding that the mind is something you have to gain control over.

I spent a lot of time on this with Steve Black, one of my main influences at Newcastle Falcons, and I have read massively into it. Some of my reading was business-related, about the principles of successful living, some of it is understanding the brain and how it works and quite a lot has been more philosophical. I have, for example, learnt a lot from the doctrines of Buddhism.

Don’t get me wrong. Don’t think: “Jonny’s now a Buddhist.” I am not. I have just been finding a direction, learning different ways of looking at life and taking bits I could use and discarding bits I could not. It has taken me everywhere. Even down to the basics of how to relax, looking at meditation or better sleeping.

The Buddhist principles have been fascinating and there were shared principles from writers such as Robin Sharma and Deepak Chopra. How does all that impact on a game of rugby? I can’t answer that. All I know is it’s enough to help me to proceed in a way that makes me happy enough to go out there and be proud of who I am and what I hope I can bring to this team.

Undoubtedly, as the magnitude of this World Cup has risen and my expectations with it, I have slipped back into the mould I thought I was out of, worrying about things I cannot control.

In fact, as good an example of living for the moment, accepting what is happening around me and trying not to worry, is the very game itself. I will go out there for the World Cup final today stuffed with nerves and the anxiety to do well. But there is a saviour; I find solace in the whistle going because my mind is then living in the moment.

The problem for me has always been worrying about what I did in the past, analysing everything and then concerning myself with what may happen in the future. The course of a rugby match is one of the few times in my life when all that is lost — you are living each second, you are using your brain, but it is so intense. You are working on instinct, you have not got time to think. The mind clears itself. Being in the game is the epitome of living in the moment.

So it will be a blessing when that whistle goes this evening. And it has been suggested to me that it would be an awesome achievement if we win, but I just can’t allow myself to think that way now, I can’t think beyond today. Because if we lose, all we have done so far here means nothing.

Think of the heroes I had in sport: Boris Becker and Michael Jordan, for instance. How would we judge Becker if he had never won again after 1985? Or Jordan if he had lost all those NBA Finals and not won them?

All we have achieved here is a lot of work, no tangible success. I’m trying to think for the moment right now; turning my mind to the consequences of them is not the right place for me to go.

Don't worry Jonny your still bloody gorgeous!!!!

Lisa , Northolt, Middlesex

Ah, Jonny, it's so simple, we don't want to believe it - but it's just about doing your duty and living in the eternal now...where there are no hopes and no regrets - only action...

Paddy, Vancouver, Canada

jonny, remember there's always 2011! I can picture you now holding aloft the Webb Ellis trophy infront of the Eden Park crowd. i wish the falcons good luck for 2007/2008. My hero.

Tom, Sydney,

Good Luck Jonny
Good Luck England

Mind over matter always conquers,Jonny.

You have everything it takes to conquer all you set out to do,as does the whole English Entourage.

I Believe In You ,Still...

Penelope, Sydney, Australia

Hey there Johnny and all of England!

This old ex-pat rubgy player and scrum half (ex captain of Marlborough College circa 1972) from way back and Buddhist for the last 32 years.(how the time has flown!) wishes you the best. may inner peace find you today regardless of the progress of the game or outcome!

Steve Ritchie, Santa Fe, New Mexico

I want to say as a Buddhist monk that Johnnyâ€™s approach to the teachings of Buddhism is exactly right.

Many people approach these teachings expecting a dogma they must "believe" without any deeper exploration but believing something you donâ€™t understand and cannot apply to yourself is political not spiritual.

We all need some help to order and understand our existence and there are many sources to get help,

I would much prefer a little bit of Buddhist theory helped someone profoundly than a lot of complicated dogma confused someone completely.

Good luck Johnny

Thissa Punyo, lichfield,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of the England team, Mr. Barnes for his assistance in allowing us to progress this far. Though I must say I'm glad he didn't ref our game as if we had France penalised only twice, as against the All Blacks then we may not have won.

Ian, London, UK

Jonny is delivers when its crucial, however I believe it is the forward pack (especially shaw, corry and Sheridan) who have got us this far. Andrew, 14, Newcastle

andrew peacock, ,

jonny u r the best!! ur kicks r so awsome, and are what got england some points in the final!! i never new how anyone could be so relaxed before a rugby match it looks too intense!!
well, well done for the final anyway, jea it must take allot to get that far!! what great team spirit was shown!!and definately hope to see you in the rugby world cup in 2011! and of corse hope to see england take the trophy !! it was a great game to watch on saturday! a memorablre one!
all the best for the future.
p.s "u rock my world!!"

kerry, grahamstown,

i cant believe you wrote this on the day of the finall in such a calm way! very impressive stuff going on but you still seem so down to earth, in this and your autobiography [which i have just read for the thrid time]..how you do it i know not!
keep it up!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hannah, Ipswich, uk

It has been said that those who tend toward great analysis of life are massively intelligent. There is great solace in learning to worry less and live more. To trust that your life is flowing exactly as it should, like a river....ride it with enthusiasm.

What a great show to watch you encourage the heart of your team.

Karen, Park City, Utah, USA

Jonny - you seem very down to earth which I think is just fantastic considering the pressure that is placed upon your shoulders. I wish you wouldn't think that to get to the final and not win means nothing because it is such a brilliant achievement in itself. I am sure you are feeling very raw at the moment but it is things like this that make a team and in time hopefully England will be able to build on the result. I'm ashamed by the amount of people who didn't believe England could get that far and have to say that I knew the team had it in them from the beginning. Very much looking forward to 2011 and hoping you will be there, inspirational as always. What an amazing team you have around you. I am proud to be English and defy anyone who says differently, regardless of England not retaining the Webb Ellis trophy. Once healed it will seem trivial and what is more important is the experience you all gained during this World Cup journey. All the best for the future Jonny.

Lucy Evans, Bath, England

Wow, Johnny!! Trying to understand the mysteries of the human mind is a hard thing to do, indeed!! Sometimes, we all have reactions and/or emotions we cannot understand or control or we don't manage to understand some of the others' reactions and emotions. From what i understood, Johnny, you studied psychology at university. It's something i too would i have enjoyed to do i think. I've always been interrested in psychology and psychiatry. Like you, i have always wanted to unvail the mysteries of the human brain. Maybe someday, you and i will be able to get a more satisfactory answer about the subject. Who knows?
It's very good you find interrest in religions too. Comparing and analysing them can be a very good exercice. From what i know, Buddists are non violent persons, which to me is a good
example to follow. :-). You don't need to become a Buddist but if the principles of Buddism can help you, it's all right. :-)
Bye
Take care
Virginie

Virginie , Paris , France

Someone like Jonny makes even Irish people want, or at least half-want England to win. A credit to humanity, never mind rugby. Hard luck on the loss.

Andrew, Cork, Ireland

Absolutely spot on Johnny. Live and breathe this evening and feel that inspiration. May you have the time of your life.

With regard to looking at the Brain may I suggest when you have time that you take a look at the work of Dr A. Phillips D.O. at www.neurolinkglobal.com. His work has helped so many of my patients over the last six years.

Guy Blomfield D.C., SOUTHAMPTON, UK

Jonny, if you're killing time before todays match and do decide to read these comments, just remember that whatever happens out there tonight, we are already, justifiably, proud of you and all our other guys. If you win, it will arguably be one of the greatest moments in English sporting history; if you don't, not one of us will be ashamed of the incredible turnover you acheived to just get to the final. In fact, quite the opposite, Jonny.

So, whether you read this before or after the game, whether we won or lost, no one will ever dispute that Jonny Wilkinson did us proud this day. And, long after we've all grown old and grey, don't worry.... Our grand children will still be talking about the greatest rugby player the nation ever produced.

anthony, Joburg, South Africa

Good luck Jonny and the England Team. We're all so proud of you and know you can do it tonight - we'll be watching! From all the English ex-pats in Aramco, Saudi Arabia.

Stephanie Barrett, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Honest and hugely enjoyable column as usual Jonny. Good luck to you and the lads tonight. Whatever happens, this country is very very proud of you all. Those of us watching will be stuffed with nerves and anxiety as well so you are not alone! Send those Springboks back where they belong and bring the World Cup back where it belongs!! We know you can do it! Good luck!!!

Karen, Worcestershire, UK

Even if you have won everything, another World Cup, it will eventually mean nothing, over the course of time. Don't get too attached to anything, particularly winning and losing. You'll be a lot happier. Fight like lions tonight and you'll have nothing to regret! Come on, Jonny!

arctanck, Reading,

Honest and intelligent - good guides for life and Rugby - good luck pal

Andrew Carney, Southport,

How refreshing to have a proffesional sportsman express himself in such an articulate way, apposed to the usual series of predictable sound bites.
Wilkinson is clearly a very learned individual who has managed to grow emotionaly to a mature well rounded character that is fitting for his hero status.
The autobiography is eagerly awaited.
Good luck boys

Dan Kent, Wellington,

What an honest man.

An open minded. I wish you joy, but as a South African I wish the best side wins.

Julius Bramley, Bathurst, South Africa

Julius Bramley, Bathurst, South Africa

I am not a rugby fan but as many others have been won over by the tenacity of the current England team and their spirit when everyone else had all but written them off. And so I was interested to read what Johnny Wilkinson had to say about the last four years of his life. His comments struck a cord with me. As an anxious mother and dutiful daughter I have had similar ( though non sports -related ) obstacles in my life in the last four years over which I had absolutely no control. Prolonged illness and subsequent death of loved ones in quick succession turned me into a nervous wreck where even the phone unexpectantly ringing might induce an anxiety attack because of what further bad news that phone call might bring. And in due time I too realised that the only way I would ever be able to have a "normal" and fulfilling life, is by learning to have control over my mind and not worring about what further troubles could be headed my way. An excellent article Jonny. Good luck tonight.

Ghada , Kuwait city, Kuwait

a very interesting piece of human experience for, a rugby game is a good metaphor of life itself....
I was glad when you won against France (they, especially controversial Bernard Laporte, didn't deserve victory), I will be even gladder if you win tonight knowing all that this article has drawn my attention to....
good luck!

helene le fur, lille, France

Good Luck Jonny and all the Boys.

COME ON ENGLAND!!

CW, London,

I was wondering recently (watching Him playing) where is the sourse of his calmness.THANK YOU for explanation and for article. Good luck for tonight zulu warrier!:)

Mag, Kedzierzyn-Kozle, Poland

We keep shouting about Jonny to win it for us, and S. Africans about Habana's speed. But Habana will be useless if you have a snarling cheater at the back in Robinson who will catch Habana and bring him crashing down.

Jason, Blackburn,

Hi Jonny

I was 60 on September 25th this year and you have given me a reason to hope, for the past 5 years. My brother committed suicide in 2002 and my mind went crazy. When you kicked in the World Cup and won us the match, i smiled for the first time. Since then, I have watched you struggle from afar. Now you are back there again and I hope you enjoy the game, win or lose, you have made a lot of people very proud.

The main thing is to keep your mind under control, to realize that you are unique and know you did your best. GOOD LUCK.

LINDA KEMSLEY , KENT, ENGLAND

Brilliant article. I compare to one with Michael Owen when he said he had never even read a book, and couldn't even watch a film as he got too bored!

Ally Gray, Edinburgh ,

You have the most beautiful smile I have ever seen :)

kate, birmingham, uk

An incredibly honest and moving piece. Good luck Jonny . . . And if the victory isn't there tonight you boys haven't failed. We're incredibly proud of you all. Having said that, if England looe I'll cry. Then again I'll cry if we win too.

DP, Devon,

Good luck Jonners! You and the guys are an inspiration to every Englishman and we are proud of you all whatever happens tonight. Go out there and do your best as always. We know you can do it.

Best of luck and God speed!

Joe, Indianapolis (via Bristol!), USA

Jonny, if you are reading Buddhism, you are one up on those who dont. In a nutshell, it is not a relegion, it is a philosophy, a way of life. There is no compulsion for any buddhist to follow anything. It is the finest form of mind control, the mind being the root cause of all our troubles.

Buddhism is not a cult religion. In fact, it isnt a religion at all. It is for the intelligent, it is for those seeking emancipation from suffering. It had taken deep root here in Sri Lanka but it is predicted that in the future it will have greater popularity in the western and the intelligent world than in this country. Many predict it will eventually die here, and who am I to say it wont, given the brazen manner in which this country is destroying all its greatest values held dear and near for so long.

Jonny is not the first to discover mind control or meditation. All of cricket's greatest men found it out, without perhaps knowing they were practising the very essence of buddhism.

Rohan Wijeyaratna, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Jonny Wilkinson

Jonny Wilkinson plays at fly-half for Newcastle Falcons and England. After making his international debut aged 18, he played a crucial role in helping England to win the World Cup in 2003. Also a British Lion, he provides an exclusive insider’s view on rugby in a regular column for The Times