Yesterday Mark Sisson of Mark's Daily Apple wrote about "detaching yourself from the outcome" when it comes fitness and health (and life). It's a good read - check it out.
Detachment is a classic Zen practice - and I think it's a valuable one. If you want more, check out Zen in the Art of Archery. You can also read this post on the fantastic Zenhabits.
Obviously Mark is talking big picture stuff here - and his play recommendations are spot-on. But I think we can also learn some lessons about applying detachment to more micro Parkour situations - namely, that it's really hard to detach yourself from the outcome when you're 10 feet off the ground and hurtling straight at a brick wall.
Maybe I'm not very good at Zen, but in that moment I'm pretty damn attached to the outcome. It's easy to talk about "fluidity" and sound all wise when you're calmly sitting in a chair sipping tea and listening to birds sing, but when it comes to landing a big jump I want there to be as little fluids involved as possible. I'm running low on band-aids.
All jokes aside, there is an important distinction between "detachment" and "not caring" or "not focusing." A Zen mindset is all about being in the moment. Focus does not mean tension - it means breathing and, yes, fluidity. I tell my students that they need to know they've "made it" before they jump. They need to relax, breathe and fully experience that moment. Then they simply let things fall in their natural order.
That's more of a Taoist concept - known as Wu Wei, or "effortless effort." Libraries have been written on the subject, but the basic idea is this: Don't try to impose actions on yourself and the world. Instead, align your will with the flow of the universe and then simply Be - and the correct actions will flow from the moment. That may sound like metaphysical mumbo-jumbo to you, but I encourage you to practice this mindset - it's how I've broken every single jump I've experienced on my Parkour journey.
There is a complimentary concept - the idea of Pu, or "passive receptiveness." Basically, your Universe Radio needs to be in tune. It is a state of complete and unfettered awareness, devoid of bias and illusion. In that state, Wu Wei happens naturally.
How do you tune your Universe Radio? I have put together the following step-by-step guide for you. You're welcome.
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Step 1: Breathe.
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That's the oldest and most enduring health/fitness tip in the world - breathing is pretty important. Practice it.