The Truth of Peak Performance

What is the True Nature of Performance? What is the Source from which Performance Arises? What is the Truth of How Performance Works?

The nature of performance is that is it a by-product of one’s preparation & skill acquisition, AND the ability to access that skill & not stand in its way of full expression.
The source from which performance is precisely when & where the human mind, the ego, completely disappears, so there is no interference. There is only doing. One is said to disappear into the void.
We cannot force peak performance, we can only block it.
When the actor is no longer acting but has totally & completely become the character, and no inkling, no piece, no aspect of the actor remains.
When the musician becomes “lost” in the music.
When the athlete has disappeared, “immersed” in the craft.

This state of mind, or “no-mind” is most often described by athletes as “Freedom.”
Freedom from all pressures, all expectations, all consequences, all fears & desires.
When an athlete plays with Freedom, no matter what happens, they put themselves in the best position to consistently access their full potential & skill.

What are the Barriers Blocking the Arrival of Performance?

The ego & all that it holds on to. Unique to every human being, yet all the same.
The self-image & perception/judgement of it. Either boosting or protecting the ego.
Fear & Anxiety (which arises from Desire)
“Pressure” coming from real or imagined external or internal expectations.
Desiring for things to be other than they are.
A lack of examination & understanding of one’s level of desire, seriousness, & sincerity in pursuing peak performance or what they say they desire.
A lack of Understanding & awareness of:

• The true nature of the game they are playing.
• The source of performance.
• The true cause & source of performance for them as an individual.
• Their true desire & ultimate point of arrival.
• The barriers that prevent them specifically as individuals.
• The belief that “they” are the executors.
• The nature of the mind & why/how it interferes with performance.

The effort to perform.
The focus on results & performance, which is external to the individual & out of their control. Thus determining their thoughts & emotions, forever riding the roller coaster.
The lack of understanding through societal conditioning that their internal state (their feelings, attitude, professionalism, preparation, giving themselves to the sport & to the craft & relinquishing control) IS what determines & allows for peak performance.

What are the Conditions & Ingredients that Orchestrate the Inevitable Arrival of Peak Performance?

• Physically prepared.
• An understanding of the true source of performance.
• An understanding of the role of the conscious & unconscious mind in the functioning of the body, and how one can choose where to place his or her awareness at any given moment.
• An understanding of the nature of the mind.
• A desire & willingness to go into the void & allow complete immersion into the craft.
  • The willingness & commitment to relinquish control & surrender to their craft.
• An awareness & understanding of the unique attachments one’s own ego clings to. (The desires, fears, pressures, anxieties, perceptions) - Understanding their nature, their source, & their validity.
• A precise understanding of the state of mind that produces peak performance for them as an individual.