Zen and Pool

@peace said:
I practice Zen, I find that it enhances the quality of my life.
It also helps my pool game, If I go to the table with a clear mind, no thought and no attachment to outcome and just let the shots happen I tend to have higher runs and pocket more balls.
Concentration and awareness are increased without all the useless chatter in my head! Both of these aspects of consciousness do not require thought.

Of course you have to have good mechanics, a good sense of aim and some muscle memory to begin with.
I just wonder how many shots are missed because of distracting thoughts especially of the negative variety. It has been said by top athletes that they play better when they just let it happen.

There is a Zen saying: When good happens good, when bad happens good! Which just means accept what is. I try to remember that when I miss!


I invite people to give this a try and give me your thoughts.

Steve
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I didn't read this whole thread but maybe try reading Max Eberle's book.

Here is a link to it.

BVal
 
@peace said:
There is a misunderstanding about being in the moment and no thought that there is nothing there.
In reality we are pure awareness at our true nature, This really can not be explained in words only experienced.
I will say that without the baggage of the ego awareness is intensified and expanded.
You will be more passionate about the game and naturally want to play to the best of your physical ability. You do not forget the purpose of the game.
Your true nature is creative you have a knowing of where you want the outcome of the game to be. Just don't worry about it!
The ego loves to keep you bound to conceptual thought, its existence is dependent upon it! It has its purpose but often obscures clarity.

Here is a link to a lady who experienced a total loss of ego, please watch the entire video it very enlightening:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/...em&ex=1206849600&en=4b4902f36e06966b&ei=5087

Peace
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You sure do remind me of someone who used to post on here. I forgot his screen name though. Maybe someone else on here remembers him. I swear he talked just like you, all knowing and zen like. Not that this is a bad thing, just hard to relate to, especially in a forum setting.
 
jay helfert said:
You sure do remind me of someone who used to post on here. I forgot his screen name though. Maybe someone else on here remembers him. I swear he talked just like you, all knowing and zen like. Not that this is a bad thing, just hard to relate to, especially in a forum setting.
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I remember the guy. Seems like his name began with an "H." Or, no, it was maybe David H....? He got banned and posted over on RSB a lot.
 
BillPorter said:
I remember the guy. Seems like his name began with an "H." Or, no, it was maybe David H....? He got banned and posted over on RSB a lot.
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Yeah, it was an Asian sounding name as I recall. He was never wrong either, about anything! He knew everything and we knew nothing was kind of how that one went. :rolleyes:
 
I am not that guy! Thats funny.
I certainly don't want to give the impression that I know everything. I'm just giving the perspective of what a clear mind does for my game. Everyone has there own perspective on things I didn't want to start a philosophy thread!

My game is not very good, I just started playing last August. I have not played in any leagues or tournaments. I have played some matches at a local hall and have done OK.
Surprisingly I have won some of these matches against guys who have been playing for more then 10 years!

First I started doing drills to get my stroke down, then aim, different shots and finally worked on position play. Now I try to just let it all come together without letting thinking to much get in the way. I am not going to be pro anytime soon but I do think it helps my game.

My favorite American player is Rodney Morris, I don't know him personally but watching him play it seems he does not get bothered or down. He still loves the game and has fun.
Even when he is way behind he never gives up and just plays his game.

Peace
 
@peace said:
Even when he is way behind he never gives up and just plays his game.
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And that is being in the moment. I've been working on this more and more lately. It definitely helps the pool game to have nothing but the shot in mind. Good thread.
 
I learned in Eastern Philosophy that Zen is all about the present moment. Suffering is caused by dwelling on the past, which you cannot change; and worrying about the future, which both keep you from the power of the present moment.

It seems that this would be very helpful during a match... forgetting the last bad shot, and not worrying about the game outcome, just living this shot right now...

Applying, unfortunately, takes great talent. ;)
 
If you have one foot in the past and the other in the future, the only thing you can do with the present is p*ss on it.

If you come to the table thinking about say..the shot you flubbed last time..you will probably wind up exerting undue pressure on yourself to assure a good future outcome. If you succumb to this you are putting yourself through needless and negative thinking. And this is true in all facets of life.

Getting to the zone, deadstroke, dead punch playing lights out and whatever else we may call it is a zen moment in that it requires the conscious mind to go into temporary hibernation and allows the subconscious to take over; forcing us to stay in the present at all times. I've noticed that when that happens to me I can't remember a damned thing about what I just did other than that I won. :clapping:

Fats

We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.--Dalai Lama
 
Yesterday's history
And tomorrow's a mystery,
The now is a gift
And that's why they call it the present.


Be the ball...:wink:
 
@peace said:
I am not that guy! Thats funny.
I certainly don't want to give the impression that I know everything. I'm just giving the perspective of what a clear mind does for my game. Everyone has there own perspective on things I didn't want to start a philosophy thread!

My game is not very good, I just started playing last August. I have not played in any leagues or tournaments. I have played some matches at a local hall and have done OK.
Surprisingly I have won some of these matches against guys who have been playing for more then 10 years!

First I started doing drills to get my stroke down, then aim, different shots and finally worked on position play. Now I try to just let it all come together without letting thinking to much get in the way. I am not going to be pro anytime soon but I do think it helps my game.

My favorite American player is Rodney Morris, I don't know him personally but watching him play it seems he does not get bothered or down. He still loves the game and has fun.
Even when he is way behind he never gives up and just plays his game.

Peace
Click to expand...


If you ever have the opportunity, watch Chia Ching Wu, the 20 year old Chinese Taipei star. He may be the most "Zen" like pool player I ever saw. If you see him play, you will know exactly what I mean. I believe you could appreciate his special talent/gift. Ralf Souquet also has similar qualities, but it took him many years to acquire what Wu seems born with. With Wu it appears to be his natural way of being.
 
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