In tennis you have to be in the present moment. It is a game of decision making which happens in a very short period of time. If your mind is blurry thinking too much about the past points or anxious about the next points, you will be stuck in a position where is really difficult to perform well. Your mind needs to be clear so you can achieve the state of flow, where you are totally immersed in the activity, completely focused, like you lose track of time. The key to reach that level is to avoid any external and internal distractions, which sometimes may be challenging since anyone that played tennis before knows that the game is like a roller coaster of emotions.
What is meditation?
Meditation is a way to explore all the inner levels of the self and the pure internal consciousness.
In meditation, the mind is clear, relaxed and focused inwardly. When you meditate, you are fully awake and alert, but your mind is not focused on the outside world or the events around you.
Meditation is a practical way to calm the mind, break down prejudices and see what is present, openly, and clearly. It is a way to train the mind to not get distracted and caught up in an endless whirlwind of thoughts. When the mind is silent and no longer distracts you, meditation happens.
Practicing meditation is very simple. It is about being present. However, cultivating a sense of calmness of the mind starts with the body. To facilitate the process of calming the mind, you can choose a meditation object to focus your attention on. For example, you can choose to be aware of your breathing. Try to experience your breathing in an open and welcoming way. Don’t judge it. Don’t try to control or change it. If a thought comes to your mind, acknowledge it and be open to it without becoming attached to it and it will eventually pass. Then you can return to your breathing.
Notice the thoughts that come into your mind. Pay particular attention to when they arise, and how they linger in your mind (like clouds crossing the sky of your mind). Then see if you can detect the moment when they disperse. You don’t need to try to control your thoughts, let them come and go by themselves. In the same way, as clouds moving through the sky are sometimes dark and stormy, and other times light and fluffy, thoughts can take different forms. Sometimes clouds cover the whole sky. Other times they lift completely, leaving the sky clear.
The normal reaction is to react to all your thoughts, which keeps your mind occupied and confused. Meditation teaches you to follow what is going on inside without reacting. Meditation frees you from the mind and all its complexities. You feel a sense of joy and inner satisfaction, relief, and relaxation.
Science confirms that meditation keeps you in good health, helps prevent various illnesses, makes you happier, and improves performance in physical and mental tasks.
To take full advantage of the benefits of meditation, regular practice is required. Around twenty minutes a day is enough to achieve results within six to eight weeks on average.
IMS Tennis 