fostel@ncsu.UUCP (09/22/83)
I have become extrmely proficient in only one ot two physical activities,
(table tennis and Robotron) and in each case it is quite clear to me that
the Ideas of Zen are quite strongly related to the techniques I have found
to allow me to progress. In each of these "sports" the complexity of the
problem and the reaction time constraints are such that it is not possible
to reflect upon what to do next, AND AT THE SAME TIME relatively sophist-
icated strategies are required to do well -- in addition to purely physical
skills.
In Table tennis I find that I do much better when I do a bit of deep
breathing and try to avoid thinking about my opponents next move in a
conscious mode (except in a few special cases) and simply try to keep
out my bodies way. It seems to know what to do. If you look at the numbers
on the amount of time to perceive, decide and react, to a ball coming at
you from very nearby at very high speed, it is a miricle that the game
can be played at all. It is clear from the numbers that you not only have
no time to think, but that in fact you have slightly negative time to
think. "guessing" is crucial. The same is true in a lot of other
sports, e.g. hitting a baseball although to a lesser degree than in ping
pong. In Robotron (probably the most intense of the Arcade games) the
reaction times are at least as severe as in Ping pong, and there are no
breaks between the points. Endurance at the attention span and concentra-
tion level are essential. Towards the later waves, the only way I can
avoid losing it is to keep essentially motionless except my hands and
eyes and to "yield up" control of those -- to the "force" if you like.
The experience is very real, and I think the tactic (or is it strategy)
is essential prolonged avoidance of the miriad hazards of the game.
Sooooo ... my question to that person who asked why Zen was in this
group is whether he has mastered any physically fast and intense sport?
Frankly I doubt it is possible without bumping into some of the things
which have been discussed in the Zen series. I have greatly enjoyed it.
----GaryFostel----