I keep reading Scott Forrester’s book, The Aware Athlete, and finding affirmation for what I’m learning in psychoanalysis. It’s interesting how hearing different words and examples deepens my understanding.
Scott writes that sixteen years ago he faced his habit of relying on force, not flow. That attention to “letting it happen,” changed his personality in addition to his running style.
My way of forcing things is to want decisions, no matter what they are, to be made quickly. I’ve started calling this my “settled and decided” technique. I’m trying to stop forcing things this way.
This morning I had a perfect example to share with you on how I do this but now that I am trying to write it down, I can’t remember. My unconscious must be at work!
Would you please tell me if you have any examples of what Scott and I are describing when we say we use force, not flow? Is this a problem for you? How did you solve it? Can you give me an example?
Thanks for exploring the mystery – Nicky Mendenhall
CLUE: The next nice sunny day you encounter, take your body out for a walk. You have time. Soak up Vitamin D. Swing your arms and take some deep breaths. Don’t force anything. Remember that your power comes from focused attention.
2 comments
Interesting question to think about! I don't believe that forcing actually works well–for every action there is a reaction. Force usually results in equal pushback; sometimes forcing something into place can cause a breakage (literal or metaphorical). Yet, many times, flow is not easily accessible. Sometimes, we all need a push (whether self-directed or from somebody else). I think the magic lies in the balance–which is often very hard to come by!
Great point Diane! So many things come down to our ability to obtain balance which sometimes I think of as the middle way. I remember my surprise when I read in a Buddhist text by Christmas Humphreys that the middle way is sharper than the razor's edge. That's why it is so difficult I guess!
Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a great week!
Comments are closed.