Here’s an excerpt from Dan Millman’s “The Warrior Athlete”:
“Satori is a word from the Japanese Zen tradition which describes thenatural harmony of body, mind, and emotions. When the mind, free ofinternal distractions, is pure attention to the present moment. When theemotions, free of obstructing tension, manifest as pure motivationalenergy. When the body, fully relaxed and vitalized, is sensitive and opento life. When the three centers are in this simultaneous relationship,something clicks; that’s satori. It represents a state which the athlete,artist, musician, and every performing artist flashes in and out of onmany occasions.”
Think about that – a state where time is altered- havent we been there before? The state of satori is what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described as a state of flow ( The Evolving Self ). Both the ancient easterners and modern western thought leaders have identified this state as a critical state to encourage. Why is this so important?
Think about a state of focus and concentration which is pleasant and powerfully productive. Ever been immersed in an activity where time just flies? And where you are in supreme control of your destiny? That’s flow. Ask Michael Schumacher if he is in ‘ flow’ often when behind the wheel of his car. In my own context , I’ve experienced it in an absorbing rock climb where 40 minutes feels like 15 or 10. or in a 12 hour summit day that feel like a 6-hour climbing day.
Satori and Flow states are critical in helping us attain states of brilliance and excellence. First you have to find that activity ( any activity ) and ‘centred’ into the activity. From that point of focus, concentrate, enjoy what you are experiencing, and soon, you may enter a state of flow, executing moves with enhanced quality and outcomes.