From soccer player to Buddhist monk. It is the extraordinary story of Kevin Lidinformer Swedish midfielder (born 1999) who wore the shirt of Pisa and of Paganese conquering one promotion to B with the Tuscan club. A career, however, marred by many injuries who have it forced to stop in 2021.
And what did he decide to do? To change your life and embark on a completely different path from the previous one. Until you get to do it an experience as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, which left a profound mark on his soul. Having landed in Italy at the age of 18 to play for Pisa in the summer of 2017, he was sent to Bologna before returning to Lund on loan and subsequently returning to Tuscany to play the 2018 season with the Nerazzurri.2019 by winning promotion to Serie B in the playoffs. The continuation of his career was not as he expected: Paganese for six months, another return to Pisa in 2020, consensual resolution, return to Sweden and farewell to football due to many physical problems.
The new life between yoga and the monastery
From that moment he began a journey of meditation and yoga, which first led him to becomeand yoga instructor in the resort town of Ko Phangan in Thailand and then, last year, to be a guest for a period in a Buddhist monastery, living like a monk. All shared on his Instagram profile: «Many of the things we do when we try to find balance actually have the opposite effect – Lidin wrote in a post -. Consuming bad food, sugar, alcohol or spending time on social media will make you feel worse and less motivated. Things that give you instant reward/pleasure are simply to be avoided as often as possible. Activities that will improve brain and body recovery for a more balanced life: Spend quality time with friends and family; exercise; spend time in nature; sauna/ice bath; yoga; learn a new skill/hobby.” In short, a new life between meditation, contact with nature, bathing in tubs full of ice: «Seek peace, not pleasure. When we seek pleasure, real life becomes boring. When we seek peace, real life becomes meaningful,” he wrote in February 2023. And a month later: “It is said that the highest level of happiness is achieved when we give to others without any expectation of receiving anything in return.”
Buddhism
In May 2023, the former midfielder spoke about Buddhism for the first time, posting a photo of him meditating in Thailand: «In complete silence for a week, meditate six hours every day, wake up at 4:30 to listen to Buddhist teaching in the dark among the mosquitoes. Sleeping on a bed without a mattress with a wooden pillow. These are the most precious things I have learned: we suffer more in our minds waiting for things than in reality; how profound an effect meditation has on our lives.” And he always said on Instagram: «In 2021 my career as a professional footballer ended due to injuries. I started to wonder what happiness was and what the purpose of life was. Most people will never ask themselves this question, who often believe that becoming financially free or famous will make them happy.
After studying the science of happiness, having become a monk and practiced yoga, I found the answer to what happiness is. I learned how to get it and how to keep it. It doesn’t require much to be happy, but it requires good habits and discipline. It is accessible to anyone and can be done anywhere.” And again: «Until I became a monk I didn’t really understand the importance of giving to others. When you give a gift to someone, and it comes from the heart (not being forced) and the recipient accepts the gift and appreciates it.
The sense of happiness
Happiness is felt for both. Don’t be impressed by money, followers, degrees and titles. Be impressed by kindness, integrity, humility and generosity.” The joy of promotion to Serie B with Pisa is forgotten. Today Lidin has found true happiness: he continues to cultivate his passion for meditation, no longer lives as a recluse as a monk and continues his activities as a yoga master. And he doesn’t miss football.
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