ON THE SADDLE

The conceptual change is clear: when on ProCamp ride we do not have to focus/meditate on a specific virtue. We need instead to focus on the SELF ON THE RIDE: we have to put attention to our person/body/mind and to the way this entity performs during the ride.

WE MUST TRANSFORM THE OBSERVER ATTENTION ON WHAT (we are doing) TO THE ATTENTION TO WHY(we are doing what we are doing).

To do correctly (almost instinctively) the “what” while maintaining the full awareness and attention on “how and why” we are doing things right or wrong or neutral.

Here the simplification of the steps necessary to change attention, focus and thinking:

1. STOP and EMPTY. This is a pre-ride mandatory process that, in ORPC, requires the abandonment of PREOCCUPATIONS, PREJUDICES, PRESUMPTION to achieve a empty mind capable to see reality without pre-conceived ideas.

2. Answer to THE-WHY-I-RIDE-TODAY in a simple and honest form (sharing time with friends, visiting places, acquiring new skills, facing new situations, refreshing training, etc.). Keep the answer in mind for the duration of the entire ride since the self evaluation is depending on the reason of the ride.

3. Ride focusing on riding well, above the standard fixed by the Roadcraft and the ARA process (three manuals). Pay attention at your thinking process while riding well: can you keep concentration? are you applying the system or following other goals? how the external elements modify your focus and your action? how fast can you modify your planning? what are the sources of your mistakes? what are you learning in the process?

4. Evaluate your thinking and the action. KEEP EXAMINING THE INNER SELF, listening to the wee voice inside. KEEP EVALUATING the self with the open mind that the ride requires, facing the reality in all its factors.

And then: IDENTIFY THE VIRTUE(S) that you need to use/implement to improve your ride and to avoid the errors you identified.

5. Now MEDITATE ON THE VIRTUES you identified as lacking in your experience and plan to bring them on your life (family, friends, profession) and on your ride (to be a Virtous Rider).

This meditation cannot be done in a close room.

Alone we cannot improve: only the company, the dialogue, the exchange of experiences with your peers can produce a real change of mind and heart.