There is an intimate connection between learning something new and presence.
Lately, I’ve been finding myself entering deep, meditative-type states when doing tasks that are completely novel to my normal routine.
I’ve been learning new martial art styles, playing organized basketball, doing Baptiste yoga… and in each situation find that because I have to hyper focus on the minutiae, my mind empties of all other thoughts.
When I’m carefully coordinating strikes with blades in my hands, or trying to read the defense as I lead an offensive play on the court, or try and move my body in accordance with a class of perfectly in-sync seemingly preprogrammed yoga robots… it’s as though there isn’t enough computing room for anything else.
- I can’t strike precisely AND think about business stats.
- I can’t dribble or shoot accurately AND think about people problems.
- I can’t yoga flow AND worry about upcoming events.
It’s when I’m in that fully immersed space, as a beginner, where I’m able to keenly focus on what’s happening, where I am, through all of my senses. Which, coincidentally, leaves me in a much better place to handle whatever was on my mind before as it gives my brain a rest, a recharge, and a boost into the rest of the day.
Would recommend.