Feeling Alive
The art of Being Present in the moment is one of the most rewarding yet illusive states of being. How often do you check in with yourself to see if you're really "here" or if you're lost in thought, worry, anticipation, or regret? One of the key elements taught to elite competitive athletes for peak performance is staying present on the razor's edge of the moment. There is a fascinating performance psychology book called "The Inner Game Of Tennis" by Timothy Gallway that states there are two parts of yourself working at all times. The CHATTER in your head is called SELF 1. This is the voice of judgment (of self and others), worry and doubt. If you know anyone who can't seem to shut their brain off, they can't shut off their SELF 1. The other self operating is the DO-ER - that part of your self that acts - aka: SELF 2. The state of optimum focus and performance (some call it "being in the zone") is when the SELF 1 is silenced and SELF 2 is allowed to operate unhindered by the egoic SELF 1. There are many ways people attempt to shut off the chatter in the mind. This is the main goal of Meditation. Thrill seekers feel more alive after a stunt because the mind naturally shuts off the SELF 1 in dangerous situations so the SELF 2 can deal with the danger efficiently. Your best self in any situation is where your mind is quiet and relaxed and your focus is not fragmented by mental chatter. This is the state of OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE.
I promise if you get into the practice of being present more often, you will see a dramatic positive shift in your effectiveness in EVERYTHING you do in life. Keep us posted!
All Things Possible!
Chris
So how do you get in the zone?
What do you do that requires optimum performance of yourself?
What threatens your focus?
How can you get out of your head and into the NOW?
I promise if you get into the practice of being present more often, you will see a dramatic positive shift in your effectiveness in EVERYTHING you do in life. Keep us posted!
All Things Possible!
Chris
posted by Christopher Showerman @ 5/04/2006 03:36:00 PM
9 Comments:
At 10:42 AM, May 05, 2006 ,
Anonymous said...
Interesting one again, Chris!
I agree, Being Present in the moment is an art indeed. It's hard not to loose yourself in everyday's business.
Hm, I guess I'm a worrier too and I can get carried away at it; one of those 'worst case scenario' types. I'm terribly practical and always have a plan of some sort in the back of my head just in case..The thing is, no matter how good your plan might be sometimes things occur that you never thought of (it's called 'life'), and funny enough it is at these times that we seem to perform best. Call it instincts, I guess.
Anyway, my personal method to get in the Zone is drawing (what a surprise hey!) which is absolutely like meditation for me and without it I'm just not..well..me. (Although I would like to try some 'real' meditation some time.) In addition to that I am absolutely demanding in my way of performing while drawing which makes it a real challenge at times, but a very rewarding one too. By scanning my own borders, refreshing my techniques and pushing my limits in that process I require optimum performance of myself.
I guess what threatens my focus is -like Tom- worries. It will break my concentration and keep me from the thing I need most. Fortunately I usually only need a little push in the right direction, someone to spill my thoughts to or some encouraging words to bring me back to earth. It's good to get a second opinion on the situation by people you trust- it puts things in a whole different perspective. (And often enough my doom scenarios vanished into thin air with that..)
Another thing I find useful is to value small things rather than be swallowed by the big world. Take it one step at a time, and this will always give you something to smile at, no matter how little. It keeps your spirits up and..yes..your cup half full!
No worries Tom, I'm certain there's a silver lining behind that cloud over your head..all it needs is a blow in the right direction to fly away!
Elvish greetz, Be Inspired! XXX
At 5:43 AM, May 06, 2006 ,
Anonymous said...
Hi Chris,
to live in the very moment is indeed one of the most important things in life. To be able to 'just be' (we call this state 'the flow') makes the difference between living and mere existing.
Tom, I've tried meditation and it works wonderful! You'll need some time to learn to get into the meditative state, but that's a matter of one or two weeks. I've also had a yoga-class, this, however, was rather supporting to get into a good 'bodily' state for meditation. Running does the same for me (nonetheless yoga is fantastic and I can only suggest everyone to try it!).
Hugs,
Earonn
At 3:04 PM, May 08, 2006 ,
Christopher Showerman said...
As always, you all have stunningly beautiful things to say. Thank you Tom for your openness and sincerity. Jaschenka and Lara - you guys sound like you could teach classes in therapy! I enjoyed practicing some of your ideas - although my meditative drawings don't look anything like Jaschenkas! Finally Welcome Earonn! Thanks for the thoughts about Yoga. It's a great way to regain focus AND agility! Bravo!
All Things Possible!
Chris
At 8:42 PM, May 09, 2006 ,
Anonymous said...
Hmmm - I wonder how much we could all accomplish if the "chatter" could be eliminated altogether?
I don't think I've ever really thought about how I get into the "zone" but I certainly recognize when I'm there regardless of the activity - so many things require optimum performance, work, excercise, any creative activity. I don't know about anyone else, but I find if I'm not feeling well or overtired I lose focus easily!
I find it helpful to take a few moments before any major undertaking to focus on the goal and clear my head so to speak.
I'll certainly be trying some of the ideas presented here in the near future!
Dave
At 10:20 AM, May 10, 2006 ,
Christopher Showerman said...
Hey Dave!!
You are so right about being more efficient if we could quiet the chatter. I was working out with a friend this morning and told him to put all of his focus on one simple thing - in this case a line drawing on a machine. This kept his SELF 1 occupied enough so that his SELF 2 was able to do an awesome set of tricep extensions where he felt physically fatigued by the end but felt mentally as if someone else did all the work. His work out was completely calm mentally and completely efficient physically. I thought it was a great example of what can be accomplished in "The Zone".
Good Luck with your application!
All Things Possible!
Chris
At 11:11 AM, May 10, 2006 ,
Anonymous said...
Wonderful input Lara, love that part about the breathing! I never gave it any thought really; I'll try to do so next time I draw and see what I come up with.
In addition to my 'meditative drawing' post above (in which it is not about the results, Chris, but about the effort you put into it and the energy you get out of it!) I figured some of you might be interested in the concept of the 'mandala'. This is really my mom's area so I asked her for an explanation to inspire all of us out here. Here goes (thanks mom!)
The word “mandala” comes from an old Indian language: Sanskrit. It means circle. Nothing more, nothing less.
The circle is the most common form around us. It has no beginning and no end. It goes on and on as life itself. It has a centre and an outer edge.
We are like the centre in that circle. We can stay in our own circle, safe and secure. Or we can develop ourselves and grow and break out and discover the world outside.
Drawing mandalas can help us with that. When you draw and colour a mandala you are very concentrated and you can forget everything around you. When you see your mandala come to life because of the colours, it gives you a great feeling. You can relax and at the same time it gives you energy.
Most people say: “but I cannot draw”.
For drawing mandalas there is no need to!
With a pair of compasses and a ruler and pencil everybody can draw a mandala.
You just have to learn the basics: how to divide a circle in parts. Then make some aid circles and start drawing lines in every part. Straight lines, curves, spirals, zigzags, bubbles, etc.
Drawing and colouring mandalas is very therapeutic and healing.
You can see the circle as your own space, where you can find peace and rest.
When you draw mandalas you can learn about yourself: do I stay in the centre or will I break out? Do I use dark colours or bright, do I make round lines or sharp? Do I do these things in real life too?
It’s very interesting to see how people “behave” in their drawings the same as in real life.
Drawing mandalas is fun, healing and has much value. Read a book about mandalas and try it, or start colouring pre-printed mandalas, they are available on the internet.
Try it, and grow!! Good luck!
(Take a look at my moms mandalas through the link below to get an idea!)
At 12:21 PM, May 10, 2006 ,
Anonymous said...
OOPS, something went wrong with that link. Just click on my name below to go to right place, alrighty.
Sorry!
At 8:03 PM, May 11, 2006 ,
Anonymous said...
H
At 8:06 PM, May 11, 2006 ,
Anonymous said...
Hi to all...I think I lost my post and will start over! -- I've enjoyed the conversation about different ways to quiet your thoughts and get into the "zone" as Chris puts it. I've been very interested in the labyrinth (not a maze) concept.. I walk for exercise, but I'd like to be able to truly walk a labyrinth as well, because I've heard how wonderful that is for centering. There are none near me and I've thought of building my own in my yard. Has anyone, perhaps Jaschenka, experienced this? There are some truly marvelous labyrinths in Europe, I understand, such as the one at the cathedral in Chartres, France. There are virtual labyrinths on the web, but a real one must be quite a meditative experience. -- I loved the mandala information and found "mom's" -- beautiful! You are all so eloquent on this forum! Sue
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