Master one thing, love the grind, cut the rest (6).

On Zen writings #6

Here are three main insights for athletes and others keen on top performance from an article "Investigate!" by Benjamin Brose and published by Tricycle here in Summer 2025.

1. "Single-Pointed Focus: The Power of 'One Thing'"

• Story/Example: Monks at Gaomin Monastery practiced huatou ("Who recites the Buddha’s name?") for hours daily, stripping away distractions to confront a core question.
• Takeaway: Mastery comes from obsessive focus on one essential skill or question—not scattered effort.
• Sports Parallel: Like a basketball player drilling only free throws for weeks (e.g., Rick Barry’s underhand "granny shot") or a tennis player refining just their serve (e.g., Roger Federer’s ritualistic practice).
• Actionable Drill: "The 1-Question Drill": Pick one technical flaw (e.g., "Why does my shot fade left?"). Spend 15 mins daily only on that, ignoring other skills.

2. "Embrace the Struggle: Doubt Fuels Breakthroughs"

• Story/Example: Laiguo taught that "great doubt" (the frustration of unresolved questions) fuels progress, not comfort.
• Takeaway: Growth happens at the edge of confusion—lean into discomfort.
• Sports Parallel: Like a boxer studying their losses (e.g., Muhammad Ali’s post-defeat film sessions) or a golfer grinding through a slump (e.g., Tiger Woods’ swing rebuild).
• Actionable Drill: "The Doubt Journal": Post-training, write one unsolved problem (e.g., "Why do I panic in closing minutes?"). Revisit it daily until clarity emerges.

3. "Ruthless Prioritization: Cut the Non-Essentials"

• Story/Example: Laiguo banned sutra study, rituals, and donor events—only huatou mattered.
• Takeaway: Eliminate distractions (even "good" ones) to protect what’s critical.
• Sports Parallel: Like a soccer team sacrificing flashy plays for defensive discipline (e.g., Atlético Madrid’s "suffering" ethos) or a swimmer skipping social media during training (e.g., Michael Phelps’ pre-race isolation).
• Actionable Drill: "The Gaomin Rule": For one week, remove one "productive" but non-core activity (e.g., extra film study → more sleep).

Why All This Matters: Sports excellence demands focus, comfort with uncertainty, and sacrifice—Zen’s "less is more" approach sharpens these.

Doubt is fuel.