Meditation Is A Sport. What?
I know; I can hear your mind saying, “That’s ridiculous, meditation isn’t a sport!” But if you look at the overall characteristics of the practice of meditation and compare it to sports and athletics, I’ll bet you can see some striking similiarities.
Practice makes perfect.
The first time that any of us threw a football, kicked a soccer ball or lunged for a tennis volley; it was probably followed by the thought, “Wow, I’m not so good at this.” Notice any similarities in your meditation practice? I’ve taught thousands of people to go into the meditation zone and I’ve heard numerous people say they can’t meditate when they first begin. But after practicing regularly, learning the technique that works for them individually and making a daily commitment to meditate, those wild thoughts get tamed and people begin to feel more confident. The saying “practice makes perfect” is so true when becoming more comfortable with meditation practice.
You need a coach.
There’s a reason why every professional sports team, elite athlete, Olympics star and even many recreational players have coaches. No matter how good the athlete or team, everyone has blind spots, they can’t see themselves play or perform. The coach then observes, corrects and literally coaches.
Meditation is no different; it’s just that the blind spots are inside of you. Once a feeling or experience arises that you may not know how to handle, such as anxiety, fear or confusion, your meditation coach is a resource to help you work through it. I’ve come to believe it’s essential to find a teacher to work with personally when you make meditation a routine part of your life. I’m not saying you can’t figure it out on your own; it will just be easier and more effective with the right guide.
On a good day, you’re in the zone. On a bad day, you’re in your head.
Legendary athletes talk about transcending space and time, even doing something they’ve never done before, to break a record, make a game-clinching play or score those extra points. This is the experience of “getting in the zone” described as the moments when a player stops thinking and responds in exactly the right way to the circumstance at hand. Hmmm…transcending space and time, being present to what’s needed, and going beyond the mind? Sounds a lot like meditation.
The stronger the team, the better the practice.
The success to winning in sports is to have a great team. But what observers often forget is that having a great team isn’t just about the players; it also includes coaches, family members, friends, fans and even animals. Developing a successful meditation practice is the same. The rest of the team players are your fellow meditators, the coaches are your teachers and the fans are the people who support you in sitting daily (including perhaps your companion cat, dog or bird). The more encouragement you receive to keep your practice going strong, the more likely you are to be successful. Plus, your connection with the team becomes stronger the more you meditate together. Find a community you vibe with and make a commitment to sit together regularly.
Max Simon
Intensity Reigns.
You know that feeling you have to push through in the challenging moments of a long run, swim, ride or game when your body aches, your mind is restless, and all you’re thinking about is putting your feet up or soaking them when you’re done? In those moments you can call on your reservoir of strength to pull you through and the challenge may even get you into the zone. Try meditating for a few hours – or even a few minutes – and notice the similarities.
People tend to think of meditation as something you do to become more peaceful and gentle. While that’s one part of it, meditation can also confer on you an unparalleled sense of strength and endurance. Through my own practice, I have learned how to remain strong and focused even when my body aches. I have developed the ability to remain calm and cool even when everyone around me is in chaos. And I have become skilled at shifting my attention back to my center even when the world is distracting and noisy. It’s as though my meditation practice has become the training platform to help me show up authentically in life.
The Playback
If you’re athletic or a competitor, make meditation a part of your daily routine because it will make you sharper, clear and more focused in your chosen sport. If you’re not, still make meditation a part of your daily routine because it will make you sharper, clear and more focused. That’s the great part about this amazing practice: it’s applicable, effective and valuable to everyone.
Max Simon (pictured) is the founder of selfcentered, an internationally recognized authority in stress management, human potential, and meditation. He is a sought-out professional speaker for busy professionals, athletes and students. For a free guided meditation with Max, visit: getselfcentered.com
By Max Simon
