I believe that any physical activity can become a spiritual experience, even a tough type of training like weight lifting. The location where we train can become an auspicious terrain where spiritual awareness and physical practices can be integrated. I feel this is important. In most commercial gyms there is nothing there to remind the mind to practice virtues like trust, respect, patience, and kindness among others.
At best, weight lifting in commercial gyms can give us a feeling of being present in the moment, which is induced mostly by safety considerations. This is because the owners and staff of such places are not aligned with the idea of offering both a physical and spiritual space to us. Most gym managers are more preoccupied with signing up new members than they are with their well-being and happiness.
