26
September
2008
I have played golf for more than 30 years. I love it because it is a beautiful chance to connect mind and body through focused attention to a single goal: getting the ball in the hole. For me, playing golf is very much a metaphor for the process of life itself.
Recently, I gained some insight through the process of improving my game. For years I had been struggling to hit longer drives. The lengths of the shots were not so bad, about 230 yards on average, but I knew this was far short of the 300 or more yards that professionals hit. I kept wondering, “How do they do that? Why can’t I do that?” I played for so many years without hitting that mark that it started to seem impossible.
Then someone suggested a slight change in my swing. They suggested that I position my hips so that the weight of the hips would go into the swing, rather than relying on mere arm strength. I tried this, and I could feel the energy of my entire body transferring into the ball. Suddenly, the length of my drive jumped to 310 yards.
If you set a vision for your life, you are bound to come up against situations that seem impossible to overcome. Like me and my drive length, it may seem like you experience the same thing over and over again without making any headway. The key is to look very carefully at the habits you have and ask if they are really channeling energy in the right direction. In the case of my golf swing, only a very tiny adjustment made a huge difference, and the same might be true for your life. Previously I had mistakenly thought that I needed to hit the ball harder for it to go farther. Likewise, success in life does not always mean using more strength. Even very slight shifts in habit and attention can make all the difference.
Posted: Brain Education, Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee
19
September
2008
The great news is that you have infinite power to change and refine your brain. A few decades back, cientists thought that people could have very little influence over their brains. It was assumed that by the time people reached adulthood their brain connections were permanently and indelibly in place. In childhood, one might be able to exert some influence over the development of the brain, but for the most part these things were genetically determined. It was thought that the old adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” was literally true.
More recently, scientists have discovered that the opposite is true. There is a quality to the brain called neuroplasticity that allows you, right up to the end of your life, to restructure and adapt your brain according to your needs. You can learn new things and adapt to new environments, even in extreme old age.
You may protest that the “old dog” does seem a little resistant to “new tricks.” Common experience would suggestthat young children learn and adapt more quickly than adults, especially older adults.
This is, in fact, often the case, but I would suggest that it is partly a matter of choice, rather than a predetermined trait of the brain. There may indeed be some biological barriers to overcome as we get older. The brain’s connections do become denser and slower as we fill the brain with the experiences
and knowledge of a lifetime. However, most people lose a great deal of their neuroplasticity simply because they choose not to use it. For that reason, I encourage you to use and challenge your brain as much as possible. You will find that, in the end, developing your brain is the same as leading a vital, fulfilling lifestyle.
From the Book ” Brain management” by ilchi lee
Posted: BE for Kids, Brain Education, Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee
