Cycling Nirvana

The truth of Buddhism is realized only through practice; it is attained through the body. The way we use our muscles must be in accordance with zazen. Practicing zazen, we train our attitude towards life in each and every acitivity. This is practice. Within it we actualize true peace of mind.
 
Homeless Kodo
 

I've always harboured the belief that cycling through the shires in and around Glasgow is a form of zazen and spiritual awakening. I mean, think about it, as a cyclist you're seated on 'a little black cushion' on top of a frame and a couple of wheels. Is this not what the monk does when he meditates: sits on a cushion on top of a frame-work (practice) and a couple of wheels (mind, mandala).
As a method of emptying, cycling is a wonderfully kenotic enterprise. One might say that it then encompasses all religions insofar as it empties you of yourself, not just Buddhism. All religion is practice and 'emptying'. The kenotic emerges out of the kinetic. 

One might feel this more acutely when freewheeling on a bicycle not especially downhill but on a flat with the wind behind you. This is pure cycling nirvana (nir-vana as the 'negation of the wind') - and travelling without actually moving, the wind effectively extinguished,  whilst seated on a little black cushion, (back straight, body still, mind breathing) on a saddle. This is practice. It is attained through the body. By cycling (preferably into those quiet pastoral hills), we train our attitude toward life in each and every activity. Within it we actualize true peace of mind.