I have written a little bit about that precarious place athletes refer to as, "The Zone" on a more global level and thought I would share the writing here. Perhaps by sharing this writing others may enlighten me more on the subject. The Zone, as we know it, quite possibly could be the 6th sense.
The sixth Sense or living "In the Now"
I believe that I have ventured upon the sixth sense or a concept wherein resides a sixth sense which combines all 5 senses to create a higher level of awareness. Athletes refer to this sense as "The Zone", Special forces and Military Groups call it "Deep Situational Awareness" and religions call it "being in total connection with for instance the holy spirit" or in some cases speaking tongues.
The sixth sense is a state of being in which a person thinks not about yesterday, nor tomorrow, rather about what's happening right at that particular moment in time where there is no tomorrow and no yesterday.
Professions which draw humans closest to the sixth sense include, firemen, Ambulance workers, police, emergency room workers as well as your common thrill seekers. In each case they perform in an environment in which reaction is in the now and nothing from yesterday comes to mind and nothing of tomorrow comes to mind.
To place this into the thrill seekers mind we can look at the example of a bungee jump for instance. As soon as the jumper leaves that bridge and tumbles towards earth do you think they are thinking about last nights spousal argument they had with their loved one? Or are they thinking about their parenting challenges or children's grades? Do you think that the thrill seeker during their jump is thinking about what the stock prices will be at closing time? No. They are living "In the Now". Which is in essence, A VERY high level of "conscious to sub conscious connection". This is one of the main reasons thrill seekers seek out such sports, to feel "in the now". The key here is attaining that feeling on an everyday basis without having to jump from a bridge, enter battle, or quickly resituate a heart attack patient.
As mentioned the key factor here is in being able to reach "the now" without going to such extremes such as bungee jumping, or being a part of a rescue operation during a fatal accident. Some methods of practice which assist people in getting to this area include yoga and meditation. There is no doubt that the feeling that one inhibits in the now is both exhilarating and divine and something of which each person usually longs for more of. The key is finding yourself in the now as you traverse through your everyday life.
Perhaps one of the best ways to get into the now, and connect the conscious with the sub-conscious is by way of self discipline and training. In this proposed practice one should be VERY careful not to be judgmental. In this proposed practice you simply note that there is a voice in your head. Yes, not a far cry from the homeless person in the park blurting out quotations at will, however this is different. We don't blurt out the voice. So in this exercise one is to recognize that the voice exists. Secondly is to, in an unbiased way, listen to the voice. DO NOT JUDGE THE VOICE. Just listen. As you become in tune with what your inner voice is saying you will note a feeling of enlightenment. You will feel lighter, stronger and more attune to your surroundings. As you carry out this practice it will begin to become second nature and with it will come the sixth sense. What occurs is a total sound awareness of everything around you and all from within. Situational Awareness found without being on the front lines of a military operation or on the end of a great pass in the NFL. You will begin to learn to live in the now, where there is no tomorrow, and yesterday is all but forgotten.
Should you have questions feel free to email me as I would love to hear from you about your questions, experiences and all.
SB
Scott Bruno
Founder - Tennis Mates
http://www.tennismates.com"Make Your Match!"
