Shiraowo - The White Mountain War, - Athlete's PRESSURE, ANXIETY, FATE

Shiraowo- The White Mountain War

Japan (1602) Battle of Ikebukuro

Pressure, Anxiety, Fate

The Sun rises.

The first horns blew, signalling battle formations.

The gleaming surface of the samurais armour reflect the sun's rays, creating a dazzling display of golden light. The emerald-green grass beneath the soldiers feet seemed to glow in response.

Ryuki Ito, once a wandering ronin now turned samurai warrior.

He stares into the distance.

Before him, the enemy.

Ryuki's face grimaces as he sees the size of the enemy's army. His nerves falters. He glances behind his own army to see an ocean of thousands of faces stretching out beyond him. Among them, apprehension and fear ripple like waves, yet admidst this sea of doubt, a valiant few cast their gaze ahead, unflinchingly, ready for war.

Ryuki knows his armour may splinter. Arrows may seek his flesh, limbs could be severed. A sword day. A samurai day. A dance with mortality. Death is almost certain.

Then so be it. He will bring the best of his masterpiece and allow it to unfold. If the gods decide he shall die on the grounds of Shiraowo- then so be it.

The second horns blew,

Creating a powerful sound that echoed across the plain, resembling the ferocity of a raging storm and the deafening roar of thunder in the mountains.

With a resounding roar from the captain, igniting the rest of the army to erupt into a mighty roar also and begin to charge forward. The swords raised high, the horses gather momentum with great speed. The rush of motion elicts confidence and adrenaline, a potent elixir that bolsters the heart.

Ryuki felt the power of his ancestors coursing through him, with fury running through his veins like new fire, giving him strength as he rides through the plains of Shiraowo - the white mountain- like a god king

If the gods decide that he shall die today on the grounds of Shiraowo - then so be it. Ryuki has made peace with whatever the outcome may be.

That is all within his reach.

*

Ryuki decided.

If he shall die, then so be it.

And so should you.

Decide. let go.

In surrendering yourself, you give birth to no-mind and let go of inner disturbances.

If you come to the game with anxiety and pressure, you are too desperate to win. With desperation heavy in your bloodstream, you will play with tighten muscles and your timing with falter. Discouragement may seep in, soon destroying your love for the game.

If you find yourself resonating with the aforementioned scenario, it could be worthwhile to consider whether the true adversary lies within the opponent you're facing or within your own mind.

Perhaps the mind, with its psychological battles, is a more formidable opponent than the one on the field.

The mind IS a greater adversary than the actual opponent!

TRUTH

A true warrior arrives at the tournament accepting nature's fate to whatever outcome the game will go.

Sport is pure and innocent by nature. When athletes use the game to fill emotional voids or compensate personal inadequacies, it no longer become just that - a game, a sport in its purest essence.

The game cannot fill any emotional holes.

And using it as such will only lead to disappointment.

Wins ignite chases for more wins. The field of play is merely an arena for players to showcase their talent and provide an authentic source of entertainment for the audience.

...And oddly enough, you'll be a better athlete.

You see, the real adversary may not be the physical opponent but the overwhelming pressure that accompanies competition. Maintaining a sense of mind freedom and equilibrium will enhance your athletic capabilities.

The "zone" experience is distinct from the game of winning. It is unrelated to anxiety or pressure, which negatively impacts performance. Just as no golfer summons their finest stroke under the grip of pressure, no free kick can be executed perfectly while under stress and no martial artist can execute a flawless strike while chasing wins.

In simpler terms, you are more likely to achieve mastery when you derive enjoyment from the game itself, appreciating its inherent's nature without projecting excessive expectations onto yourself.

The game is precisely that - a game. The real game within the game is recognising this fundamental truth deep within your heart.

Become a superior player by becoming no-mind.

Peak performance emerges when you're in the "zone," free from any thinking and emotional turmoil

*

Embrace the spirit like Ryuki.

Give freedom to your art.

Become one with one it.

Surrender to whatever may come, play with the purity of your heart, in the state of No-mind, Mushin. In the end, the outcome is beyond your control. The final fate lies with the universe.

That is all within your reach.

~ The Zone ~

The secret sayings

True transformation comes from the correct exposure. When spoken or written, the essence behind the words has the power to connect to personal experience, thus creating a living understanding, thus creating transformation.