Lessons from Bullfighting

Some believe it to be an art form. It's critics call it barbaric. Others view it as nothing more than a spectacle. 

But no matter your views on bullfighting, assuming you have some, it's hard to overlook the influence the tradition has had on the ancient cultures of Europe and Latin America. Paintings dating all the way back to 2000 BC adorn some of the caves in present-day Crete.  

Even India and Tanzania came claim to have dabbled in the timeworn drama between man and bull. Each corner of the globe undoubtedly sprinkling their own interpretation of how triumph is regarded and heroism, if any, is measured. 

Though the guidelines around fighting a bull vary by region just as say, cuisine or climate the objective usually falls squarely into one of the following categories:

-- debilitate

-- subdue

-- kill

Today, the event is held in sporting tabernacles that are as impressive as the spectacle itself. Stadiums like the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas built in 1929, can seat nearly 24,000 people. It's distinct Neo-Mudejar architecture and heraldic crests representing the various Spanish provinces remind you there's nothing passive about the sport or its perception. 

Unlike the simple layout of the Plaza de toros de Ronda, a venue Hemingway was known to attend, the sport and motif it may offer seems more nuanced than a quick glance offers. 

But not in the way you may think.

Though there may be lessons gleaned from watching the composure, even courage demanded in deliberately agitating a 1300 pound (and very angry) animal, just as much can be learned from studying the bull.

Let me explain...

In Spanish-style bullfighting, also known as "corrida de toros," there is a fair amount of pageantry that precedes the actual fight. Here are the three distinct stages:

Stage 1: Tercio de Varas

-- a bugle announces the start of the event

-- the bullfighters enter the arena in an elaborate procession

-- the bull is released into the ring and tested for its barbarity

-- another fighter, known as a picador, enters the ring on horseback before driving a lance into the neck of the bull.

As you can imagine, this doesn't go over too well.

Stage 2: Tercio de Banderillas

-- each of the three bullfighters in the arena, also known as banderilleros, will then attempt to force two sharp rods into the shoulder of the bull

Stage 3: Tercio de Muerte

-- two of the three banderilleros exit stage left leaving just one to fend for himself

-- by now he is holding what many of us consider to be synonymous with bullfighting -- the muleta, or red cape

-- the bull, which is considerably wounded at this point, does its best to hamper the domination exhibited by the fighter through a series of passes

-- finally, a skilled matador wears the bull down to eventually angle the bull into a position where he can stab it through the heart

It's safe to say the three stages of the event heavily stack the odds in favor of the banderilleros. Not only is the bull outnumbered but long before there is any semblance of being evenly matched, the animal has been severely impaired.

Still, there is a point when the bull is considered to be MOST dangerous...

Amid the confusion the bull has the capacity to suspend its turmoil and pain. Just as we can, it can find a momentary respite amongst the chaos.

When the bull reaches this state it's called, Carencia. 

When this happens, the matador knows he's in trouble.   

The reason Carencia is so threatening for a bullfighter is because the bull recognizes its vast strength and power. It's potential and capacity for greatness is suddenly re-awakened. It slows time down, is no longer subjugated by its anger, and even finds some semblance of tranquility.

You too may feel as though the odds are against you -- the rules are unfair. You may even have the battle scars to prove it. 

But within that adversity exists a unique opportunity for intelligent endurance. We can pause and in the process blissfully interrupt stimulus and response with resourceful thought. 

We may have little control over the events in our life, both good and bad, but we can still elect the way we respond. 

Amidst the pain, the hardship, and the odds we can still create an interval of peace. It's there we hear ourselves above the noise, sometimes truly for the first time.

It's in that arena we cultivate resilience and character, while unearthing our power, durability, and vast human potential.

Then we live to fight another day.