Article by Zhang Xinyue of Create Abundance.
Competitive athletes striving to reach the top of their respective sports understand sports are not just physical challenges. Because of the pressures and demands of intense competition, sports are also a mental battle. Sometimes, an athlete’s mindset determines the difference between victory and defeat.
Because of this, many athletes have practiced meditation and a mindset of creating abundance as part of their training regimens. Michael Jordan openly talked about working with a meditation coach to stay in the moment during crucial moments of games. Tennis champion Novak Djokovic has also incorporated meditation into his daily routines, and he has recommended its benefits to other tennis players. But what is it about meditation that gives athletes an edge over their competitors?
Meditation quiets the mind and frees it from distracting negative thoughts. These doubts and fears can affect your performance on the field if you can’t find a way to deal with them. By being present in the moment and learning to quiet your mind, you can increase your focus and concentration levels. Furthermore, adopting a mindset of connectedness and learning to respect yourself and others can improve your teamwork and your ability to execute plays in team-based sports. Therefore Phil Jackson, NBA coach and “Zen Master” adopted the motto “One Team, One Breath” for his championship-winning Bulls and Lakers teams.
Like practice and workouts, meditation is preparation for the most taxing parts of competition. By increasing your mental strength as part of your training regimen, you can be prepared for whatever life and sports throw at you.
Zhang Xinyue is the author of the book Create Abundance. The book is a collection of Teacher Zhang Xinyue’s words of wisdom concerning body-mind-spirit cultivation. Originally published in 2012, it has remained a best seller. It has been translated to numerous languages.