Here is the second in a series of four lectures dealing with fitness and application to the Jedi. Rather than discuss the merits of just training I have attempted to apply what it means to train for a Jedi. I hope to strike a balance between fitness and philosophy, for the Jedi. Enjoy!
Accommodation: psychophysical application
Accommodation is a law, as certain as the law of gravity. Yet most of us don’t really trust the law, because we have too many conceptual insecurities, too much confusion. We are always wondering, “Can I become good at this?” “Will I be able to accomplish my goal?” “Will I find success?”
Such questions only create tension and weaken our motivation. Be resolute then, trust in natural law and the force as much as you trust in your own mental noise.
The principle:
· Athletics, like life, develops what it demands. Development is precisely commensurate with demand. No demand, no development; small demand, small development; improper demand, improper development.
· Demand requires motive. Without internal motivation to energize demand, there can be no persistent response.
· Motivation requires meaning. The motivating factor must correspond to your values in life; it must seem to offer an improvement or benefit that you want.
· Demand must take the form of progressive overload. You must repeatedly ask yourself a little more than you are comfortable with, a little than you are capable of dealing with easily.
· Development through overload requires a tolerance for failure. Development inevitably entails a consistent stream of “little failures” along the way to your ultimate goals.
· Tolerance from failure comes from an intuitive grasp of the force and natural laws of learning. Unrealistic expectations means a frustrated Jedi and athlete; realism breeds patience. By understanding the natural principles you develop a realistic and lighter approach to life’s temporary little setbacks.
Training, then, is a process of development through gradually increasing demand. If realistic, gradual demands are made on the body, the body will develop. If there is a balance between mind, spirit and body, then development will take place in these areas too!
Within its natural capacity, the human organism will adapt to demands made upon it. This is accommodation, which reflects a law that has allowed the human being to evolve and survive a long time. Learning is one kind of accommodation, building muscles is another kind. Once you realize the inevitability of the principle of accommodation, you will be responsible, because you know that success depends upon the demands you are willing to make on yourself.
(Special thanks to Dan Willman)
Be well!
Peace and Namaste