"I renounce alcohol".

Divine Movement: In an interview with Achim Achilles.de-Bishop Margot Käßmann explains why they believe belong together and running, why they are currently fasting and why a fulfilling experience.

 

Achim-Achilles.de: Ms. Käßmann, many readers of
Achim-Achilles.de currently struggling through Lent. Make them courage but once: Why is it worth extent?

DPA
Weintrinkerin: Voluntary abstinence during Lent

Käßmann: Fasting brings a chance for a new perspective on life and our world with them. It's about focusing on what is really important in life. Jesus himself went to fasting in the desert in order to clarify its mission, its relationship to God to win. My experience is that for us even today, a fast way.

PERSONAL

DDP

Margot Käßmann since 1999 Landesbischöfin the Evangelical Lutheran Landeskirche Hanover. The 50 - year-old is a mother of four daughters. 2007 she is distinguished by her husband. 2008 was Käßmann the Great Federal Cross of Merit.

Achim-Achilles.de: What do you mean exactly?

Käßmann: Existential issues in everyday life we often forget can fasts space. How will I live? What makes sense? What does God do for me? Only courage to try it! The experience will enrich you.

Achim-Achilles.de: What are you doing?

Käßmann: I renounce alcohol.

Achim-Achilles.de: If you seriously?

Käßmann: Yes, I can see at once how much a glass of wine in the evening can be a habit. But I will also not fasting to make law. The old monks had as wonderful exceptions, such as the Sunday Times and "traveling".

Achim-Achilles.de: you are enthusiastic runner. How did it happen?

Käßmann: 1986 I had a three-year-old daughter and got twins. I had the feeling that I just sit in the house or move a pram. Running time was for myself and movement in his own rhythm.

Achim-Achilles.de: How often you train?

Käßmann: Training I would not call. I run two or three times a week to Maschsee in Hanover, about seven kilometers.

Achim-Achilles.de: Many runners train, because they are dissatisfied with their weight. Do you?

ACHILLES-NEW BOOK

Finally, it is so far: Germany's runners have the perfect excuse for the tedious pace of training to tails. You must first of the new Achilles-book. Germany's funniest amateur runners has its columns to a new piece of forest and meadow run literature zusammengetackert: "Learn to walk without suffering" is now available in well stocked and remains ramps in blogs shop. The question "Can you actually run, without suffering?" Achim usual philosophical answer: "You can, but it is not fun anymore." The 224 pages in the pocketbook is strong Heyne-Verlag and costs 7,95 Euro.

Käßmann: No, the reason was really the feeling something for me to do. But I realize of course that it is easier to walk, to maintain my weight.

Achim-Achilles.de: How important is your body?

Käßmann me is important, with my body responsible manner. But I am now 50, I realize that aging can hardly stop. And I know that people are not only happy if they are in top shape. Sometimes, when visiting in a disabled home about, I experience very lucky people who have significant limitations to live.

Achim-Achilles.de: What do you think of running? In God or in the shower at home?

Käßmann: Often I take the solution with the Bibelvers for the day. Or I think about the sermon text. Or I am simply that the birds sing, the air is good. The mystics have said that if the breath has a rhythm, I can let go and be free for the conversation with God. The experience I sometimes like that.

Achim-Achilles.de: Do you have a guilty conscience, if you buy expensive clothes run?

Käßmann: True expensive running clothes, heart rate monitor and so I did not. But I do not spare shoes. However, without a bad conscience, because I think that is really crucial, otherwise the running hurts more than it benefits.

Achim-Achilles.de: How do your church that you are in summer clothes airier run through the area?

Käßmann: At the beginning there was actually a little frown: Is that it? But meanwhile other runners greet me cheerfully, and we will send even a church team to Hanover Marathon T-shirts with "Protestant church - are ongoing." And we have a North Run initiated under the motto "Do not stop - running against violence." As the runners morning with biblical reflection on the line cleverly.

Achim-Achilles.de: Many athletes are believers. Nevertheless, it seems as if the churches fear of contact with the sport. Why is that?

WWW.ACHIM-ACHILLES.DE

For four years, he writes his columns, is now a cult Achim Achilles runners online - with his web-page www.Achim Achilles.de. The portal provides the millions of runners in this info, tips and fun - for beginners as professionals run. The vibrant community of runners exchanged last wisdom of half a dozen expert advice free of charge. Always according to the motto of the best-selling author Achilles: "Running, suffer, laugh, live."

Käßmann: I think this is because the church with spiritual issues, and the body on the other hand sometimes abqualifiziert was not so important. Physical lust, or even as seduction was viewed negatively. But since a lot has changed. Faith with all the senses, feel the breath, fasting, meditation, monastic experience - all this belongs to the faith. Spirituality has a little experience with physical to do.

Achim-Achilles.de: Are people better runners?

Käßmann: A difficult category, I think. In any case, there are people who deliberately try to live, the days can not simply pass. It is important to me because life is a gift from God for me. And maybe so many running also a good idea to not only what he can do for themselves, but also for others. Or he comes into the conversation with God, that would be something.