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MESSAGE #1441 CHOP WOOD, CARRY WATER

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to my grandmother, Fung Shee Pan, who turned 105 years young yesterday. Happy Birthday!

My grandmother is Buddhist and I think that is part of her secret to longevity.

Today, you will learn her secret.

Some say much of sports psychology came from Eastern philosophy. Recently, I was reading a great book by former professional baseball player, Shawn Green, “The Way of Baseball.” In the book, Green talks about how meditation and Zen helped him become one of the best hitters in his era.

Green mentioned the following Zen saying:

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

It’s not about what you do, it’s all about how you do it.

Are you fully engaged when you are working, practicing, studying, eating, etc?

Most are not.

Staying present is key to peak performance, satisfaction and improvement. Unfortunately, in today’s world of televisions, iPods, iPads, XBox and iPhones, it is easy to get distracted.

Whether you want to become like Shawn Green or my 105 year old grandmother, practicing meditation can help you perform better, live fully and live longer.

Try my meditation from yesterday’s message to get you on the path (click HERE).

Ed Tseng
Director of Mental Conditioning
Monroe Sports Center
609.558.1077

MESSAGE #1437 EVEN KEEL…

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Well, it’s official, Derek Jeter is in Trenton, so it only makes sense to talk baseball.

I just finished reading Shawn Green’s new book, “The Way of Baseball” and enjoyed it thoroughly.

One of the things that stood out most was his after at-bat routine.

Whether Green hit a home run or made an out, when he took off his batting gloves, the at-bat was over.

He let it go.

Good or bad.

In other words, you shouldn’t get too high or too low.

Once that happens, the ego is involved and you are out of the present moment and cannot reach peak performance.

In competition, you either win or you learn, and regardless of the result, you need to let it go and get ready for the next round/at-bat/shot/point/stroke.

Simple—yes.

Easy—no.