The Inner Game of Tennis

I was beginning to learn what all good pros and students of tennis must learn: that images are better than words, showing better than telling, too much instruction worse than none, and that trying often produces negative results. (Location 232)

One, the “I,” seems to give instructions; the other, “myself,” seems to perform the action. Then “I” returns with an evaluation of the action. For clarity let’s call the “teller” Self 1 and the “doer” Self 2. (Location 273)

In other words, the key to better tennis—or better anything—lies in improving the relationship between the conscious teller, Self 1, and the natural capabilities of Self 2. (Location 276)

Getting it together mentally in tennis involves the learning of several internal skills: 1) learning how to get the clearest possible picture of your desired outcomes; 2) learning how to trust Self 2 to perform at its best and learn from both successes and failures; and 3) learning to see “nonjudgmentally”—that is, to see what is happening rather than merely noticing how well or how badly it is happening. This overcomes “trying too hard.” All these skills are subsidiary to the master skill, without which nothing of value is ever achieved: the art of relaxed concentration. (Location 320)

Note: nonjudgementally - diff version of saying flow, trusting the universe, observe - like meditation his ‘primary’ skill is “relaxed concentration” - itself a subsidiary example of a xandao pair - relax and engage - but he actually combines it into a single thing non dual vs the yin and yang of our approach

Listen to how D. T. Suzuki, a renowned Zen master, describes the effects of the ego-mind on archery in his foreword to Zen in the Art of Archery: As soon as we reflect, deliberate, and conceptualize, the original unconsciousness is lost and a thought interferes…. the arrow is off the string but does not fly straight to the target, nor does the target stand where it is. Calculation, which is miscalculation, sets in…. Man is a thinking reed but his great works are done when he is not calculating and thinking. “Childlikeness” has to be restored…. (Location 333)

In short, “getting it together” requires slowing the mind. Quieting the mind means less thinking, calculating, judging, worrying, fearing, hoping, trying, regretting, controlling, jittering, or distracting. (Location 364)

Letting it happen is not making it happen. It is not trying hard. It is not controlling your shots. (Location 645)

Note: be ready - this is sort of the opposite of just do it - be ready with your training, with your stance, with your eyes, with trusting your body