Mind Tennis: A Heavenly Game Played on Earth
Heaven…
On a beautiful weekend morning.
An angelic group of friends gather in their all-white gowns, preparing to step onto the lush, Wimbledon-esque grass courts of Earth for a little exercise and fun.
As they cross the line and step onto the court – Earth – something changes.
Their heavenly unity dissolves, temporarily set aside. They become human competitors, each taking on the role required for the game ahead.
This is the human experience.
Not a simulation. Not a test.
Just a game.
As in Heaven, So on Earth
We all know the feeling.
The soul’s temporary identity as a competitor.
We play games every day.
Some are obvious – beer pong with friends, Candy Crush at work.
Others are more subtle – debating ideas, managing relationships, trying to meditate.
Some games we play solo – dieting, self-improvement.
Others are organized and team-based – sports, corporations, religions
Before you get offended – take a breath. It’s just a game.
Other Heavenly Games?
Ever wonder how many different heavenly games exist?
How many resemble Earth?
I imagine each one explores some dimension of consciousness, with its own rules and playing field. Angels might play their version of rugby, blackjack, or chess – just not quite like we do.
But regardless of their goals or equipment, they’re all games within the larger field of life.
For our discussion, let’s focus on one particular sport:
Mind Tennis
(A game that just happens to look a lot like Earth tennis.)
The Rules of Mind Tennis
Serve It Up
A match begins when a player steps up to the line and serves an idea.
That’s what I’m doing right now.
The ball (the idea) doesn’t belong to either player.
It’s meant to move back and forth – shared, modified, interpreted.
The rally is our conversation.
You serve. I return. Maybe I add a spin. Maybe you volley it back with a different perspective.
That’s communication.
And it’s fun – until we start trying to win.
The Ego Game
If one player keeps smashing ideas without allowing return shots, the game gets dull fast.
No engagement, no back-and-forth, no challenge.
Great rallies happen when opponents are equally matched – respectful, competitive, alert. That balance keeps us engaged, challenged, and growing.
Winning and losing?
Irrelevant.
Unless you start taking it seriously.
Scoring (Kind Of)
Scoring in Mind Tennis is a mess.
Idea-balls constantly land near the line. There’s no referee.
Each player judges their own success.
Which means… no one really knows the score.
If your idea lands well – if someone responds positively – you might call it a point.
But they might not agree.
Another rally begins.
If you “lose” a point, it’s rarely accepted at face value. We justify, blame, or declare it unfair.
So we don’t “lose” per se – we just “almost won” – if not for that one external factor…
Welcome to the wonderfully subjective, emotionally chaotic world of Mind Tennis.
Serious Players & the Spectator Problem
Most of us play for fun.
But occasionally, you meet someone who believes Mind Tennis is real – or worse, that it’s the only game that matters.
These players cause tension.
They criticize rules. Obsess over technique. Mock other games (looking at you, Mind Pickleball). Some spend their court time debating instead of playing, photographing their outfits, or worrying about the next match.
Others spend too long speculating about heavenly games instead of playing the one they’re in.
They forget: Daylight won’t last forever.
You Want It to Matter?
Fair enough.
Good players do take the game seriously – they stay present, focused, and sharp.
There’s joy in competition. Some “me-vs-you” or “me-vs-myself” energy can elevate the game.
But the best players know the difference between the game and reality.
They’re said to have their “mind in the game.”
Not in their fantasies of winning.
Not in fear of losing.
Not in how they look or what comes next.
The Real Question: Are You Having Fun?
Skill is cool.
But did you have fun?
Some humans are naturally gifted.
Some were handed a racket early in life.
Some run around swinging wildly and couldn’t care less about winning.
That’s all fine.
Enjoyment can’t be measured by anyone else – not even the scoreboard.
Game skills are conceptually real. They don’t translate to real life.
Your 100 mph serve won’t heal heartbreak.
Your game face won’t help you face death.
The game is part of life, but it’s not life itself.
And what’s real is always bigger than the game.
No Pros in Heaven
If I had to guess, there are no professional tennis players in heaven.
No sponsorships. No rankings. No stats.
Angels play for love of the game.
They compete fiercely, yes – but laugh together when the match ends.
They measure only themselves.
They play hard, but always for joy.
And spectators? Probably not.
No one in heaven is watching pretend-competitors argue over points.
Spectator Syndrome
Still, it happens.
Some people get so caught up, they forget it’s a game.
A neutral spectator picks a side.
They get emotionally involved.
Suddenly they’re in the game too – shouting, obsessing, radicalizing.
It’s easy to get lost in the illusion.
To mistake a tennis match for the entirety of existence.
And all over what?
An idea.
Play With Purpose (But Loosen Your Grip)
I’m not saying the game shouldn’t matter.
It has to matter for it to be worth playing.
The thrill, the joy, the frustration – all part of the experience.
But maybe we can play with a lighter grip.
Let’s focus less on winning points and more on playing well.
Let’s enjoy reshaping each other through conversation – tactfully, respectfully, creatively.
A great game isn’t about proving you’re right.
It’s about making the game itself more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Match Point: Back to Earth
We’ve stepped onto this court together.
Now ask yourself:
Am I trying to win?
Or am I here to play?
What are my expectations for you, the reader?
Do I want to change you?
Or am I simply sharing a serve – offering my idea, and curious how you’ll return it?
Maybe you’re here to rally.
Maybe you’ll respond with your own spin.
And if not – no worries.
Not everyone matches up, and that’s okay.
Just remember:
Eventually, the sun will go down.
We’ll all return home.
Let’s enjoy the match while we’re here.
Postscript: A PSA from MTPA (Mind Tennis Players Anonymous)
Are you suffering from Player Addiction?
- Smashed rackets piling up?
- Shoulder, elbow, or ego pain keeping you up at night?
You’re not alone.
Most players struggle with over-attachment.
Earth’s courts are wearing thin from the stress.
But there’s good news.
You don’t have to quit the game.
You don’t have to throw a tantrum or storm off the court.
Sometimes, the solution is simple:
Loosen your grip.
3 Helpful Hints for Healthier Play
- Before you serve, look up.
Remember the sun will go down.
Check in with yourself – are you playing to enjoy the rally, or trying to win? - Between each shot, check your grip.
Are you tensing up again?
Straining where flow would do? - Worried about the end?
It’s okay. Every game ends. That’s what makes playing special.
No need to worry – tomorrow will be yet another beautiful morning in heaven.
You can head back to Earth and play again.
Let’s keep the game alive – not by gripping harder, but by playing with joy.
