So decided to go to HQ to get some training in on Birthday was a great session....on the way home though I started to really think about this and wanted to post it here instead of facebook. I was thinking about how Roger Gracie and Rickson and many others advocate a blank mind to connect to the techniques. Rickson in the Documentary "Choke" talks about this as a zero point....to quote exactly from the movie....
“The most interesting aspect of jiu-jitsu is... of course the techniques are great, but the sensibility of the opponent, sense of touch, the weight, the momentum, the transition from one movement to another. That’s the amazing thing about it.
You must allow yourself to go as on auto pilot. You don’t know exactly where you’re going until the movement happened because you can not anticipate what is going to happen. You must allow yourself to be in a zero point; a neutral point. Be relaxed and connected with the variations. Flow with the go.”
Roger Gracie refers to it as simply having a blank mind empty of thoughts and anticipation for any one technique. The Darkness....
It is the sensibility that matters...when you are in your conscious mind you are not relying on your senses but rather your intellect. To clear your mind and rely on your connection subconsciously to the techniques instead of your intellect and ego to push you through the match.
I am able to consistently surprise even myself when rolling....its almost as if Im watching the roll as a third party and just enjoy the flow almost as a spectator.
It seems like BJJ is teaching me to let go of trying to control life and just enjoy the ups and downs as a journey and have faith that there is something else coauthoring the outcome other than my own will and ego. This was incredible to think about and I view it as one of the best Gifts I've ever received on my Birthday.