| Introduction | | | | (C) explains that from what (A) has told him thus far |
| The purpose of this essay is to explain the "zone" or | | | | he clearly needs to adopt a right mindfulness approach |
| "flow" phenomenon experienced by athletes when | | | | to tennis. Right mindfulness involves a focused |
| playing sport. Athletes experiencing, 'zone phenomenon' | | | | awareness towards present circumstances. By |
| has been well documented by sports psychologists | | | | focusing on the immediate one can begin to minimize |
| and other professionals who have studied sporting | | | | unpleasant experiences. One can change the |
| non-sporting related zone experiences. This article is | | | | circumstances by clearing the mind and thinking about |
| concerned with sport and will claim that a lack of | | | | nothing. The mind has a habit of chatting away to itself, |
| reflective awareness on the part of professional | | | | especially if we are in a stressful situation. The chatter |
| athletes while playing sport will invariably lead to a zone | | | | is even louder when things are going badly for us. (A) |
| or flow response. | | | | acknowledges that he can relate to this. |
| Reflective awareness for the purposes of this article | | | | (C) explains that the challenge for mindfulness |
| means to think about what one is experiencing. | | | | meditation is to view these thoughts as being totally |
| Reflective awareness can also be referred to as a | | | | irrelevant to what is happening at the moment. If we |
| 'what it is like?' experience. The explanation will be | | | | really want to we can let these thoughts evaporate |
| done by way of comparing two arguments. The first | | | | into nothingness. If these thoughts are fleeting and |
| argument presented is the 'Philosophical Zombie' and | | | | change from time to time why do we persist to hang |
| the second is the 'Tennis Playing Zombie'. | | | | on to them? What is required is a concentrated focus |
| Before comparing any arguments it is important to | | | | on an object whereby we observe the object as |
| establish what 'reflective awareness' or 'what it is like?' | | | | having no intrinsic qualities. In other words, we try to |
| experiences are.This is because such experiences are | | | | experience the object in the immediate present. (C) |
| the basis of any zombie argument. 'What it is like?' | | | | explains that this is like staring into a fire and becoming |
| experiences are those experiences which create a | | | | entranced by the flickering flame, we become |
| unique mind events or personal thoughts. In other | | | | entranced by the changing nature of the flame. A |
| words, the physical brain generates non-physical mind | | | | flickering flame appears totally chaotic therefore it is |
| events as a consequence of operating in a physical | | | | our fascination with the fleeting present state of the |
| world. | | | | flame that makes us concentrate on it. (A) protests |
| Zombies on the other hand are able to by-pass these | | | | that this is of no use to him while playing tennis. |
| types of human thoughts They interact with their | | | | (C) explains that no formal meditation procedure is |
| environment in a type of action/reaction system. This | | | | required. All (A) should be doing is concentrating on the |
| is not unlike some of the state of the art experimental | | | | immediate present. This is can be as simple as |
| robots which have sensorimotor circuits which give | | | | concentrating on one's breathing patterns. It is also |
| them sensation and perception. This allows them to | | | | possible to turn our attention outward towards the |
| perform mundane tasks which make use of feedback | | | | tennis environment and focus on a single object such |
| and analysis systems. A zombie or a robots approach | | | | as the net. This will help clear the mind of all thoughts |
| to a task which they are capable of is always | | | | because we are passing no judgments on what we |
| necessary and sufficient. Therefore, playing "in the | | | | are focusing or concentrating on. |
| zone" means as far as humanly possible to play | | | | Again, (A) protests that this is still of now value while |
| without reflective awareness. In essence, to play like a | | | | playing. Tennis is a fast moving game which requires |
| zombie. | | | | rapid shifts in terms of focus. We need to look at our |
| The philosophical zombie argument is found in many | | | | opponent, look at the ball then look at the ball hitting the |
| articles and journals on philosophy. The philosophical | | | | racquet. We also need to look where are are running |
| zombie is a fictitious creatures used in thought | | | | on the court. Just staring at the net makes no sense |
| experiments to draw out the distinction between | | | | at all. |
| automated action from conscious thought. While | | | | (C) suggests that (A) tries an alternative to just |
| zombies are fictional creatures which lack | | | | focusing on one single object. (C) knows that passive |
| consciousness, the tennis playing zombie is a real | | | | meditation practiced with an unfocused gaze can lead |
| character; more specifically they are professional | | | | to the mind becoming defused. This is somewhat |
| athletes who have 'philosophical zombie experiences' | | | | like,'staring into space' The idea is that the mind cannot |
| while in the zone. As there is no precedent for a | | | | cope with an overload of visual input. An unfocused |
| tennis-playing zombie it will be explained in greater | | | | gaze forces the mind to try recognize every object |
| detail. Both arguments will be treated in turn. | | | | within a wide visual field. If (A) stares at the net with an |
| The Philosophical Zombie Argument | | | | unfocused gaze he will notice not only the net but |
| A philosophical zombie is an animated imaginary being | | | | everything within his peripheral vision. The result is a |
| that is like us in every way, except in its inability to | | | | numbing of the thought process for the duration of the |
| undergo conscious experience. The philosophical | | | | gaze if (A) can make an effort to notice everything at |
| zombie is the work of various schools of philosophy, | | | | once.Any chattering in the mind would immediately |
| who created it to highlight the nature of consciousness | | | | cease. An unfocused gaze will lead to everything |
| and its relationship to the physical world. It can also | | | | looking slightly fuzzy in visual terms because there is |
| explore the possibility of how other creatures, sentient | | | | no one object of focus, we are trying look at as many |
| or otherwise, might think. | | | | things as possible all at once. (C) is of course aware |
| As far as the zombie argument is concerned it is | | | | that when playing tennis (A) needs to focus on the ball |
| assumed that zombies, if the existed, they would not | | | | or his opponent, but he thinks that if (A) gives this |
| be able to appreciate such things as beautiful sunsets, | | | | aspect of the game as little time as possible it will |
| winning a tennis match, or drinking fine wine. It is | | | | work. When (A) is hitting the ball over the net or |
| important to note that appreciating such sensations is | | | | receiving the ball he will automatically focus on the ball; |
| very different to simply having them. It is assumed that | | | | no conscious effort in this regard is required. However, |
| all zombies can experience sunsets in the same way, | | | | as soon as there is a break in play between points he |
| but the subtle difference lies in the claim they would | | | | will attempt to give the whole tennis environment equal |
| not appreciate such experiences because they are | | | | visual status once again. His aim should be to create a |
| incapable of subjective consciousness. In other words, | | | | mind that is blank, or as close to lacking consciousness |
| they cannot have 'What it is like?' experiences. | | | | as possible, for as long a possible. |
| If we were to call our zombie an 'abomination of | | | | (C) thinks that wide use of the gazing technique will |
| nature' he may act hurt and offended, but in reality he | | | | lead to, 'what it is like?' experiences being severely |
| would be neither. He cannot actually be hurt or | | | | limited. There should be no what it is like to hit a winner, |
| offended because his emotions are a by-product of | | | | lose a important point or play someone you don't like; |
| the physical process. Zombies are epiphenomenalist; | | | | all experiences will have a similar character about |
| their thoughts and feelings are a by-product of the | | | | them. There will be nothing to reflect upon only |
| brain. A thermometer reading 100 degs. C., when | | | | concentration on a process. After the match it will be |
| placed in boiling water is a by-product of water boiling. | | | | interesting to get (A's) opinion on what it was like to |
| The thermometer, regardless of what it reads has no | | | | play this way. |
| effect on the temperature of water. In a similar fashion | | | | (A's) account might read something like this: " I didn't |
| a zombie reacting to events in the physical world may | | | | have any 'what it is like?' experiences- it all seemed |
| produce thoughts and feelings, but these in no way | | | | the same". When asked how long he had been playing |
| determines his present or future actions. | | | | for, his response might be, "It's difficult to say how |
| Unlike zombies, humans take their thoughts seriously. | | | | much time I spend out on the court. Time seemed to |
| Our thoughts usually initiate some type of action, we | | | | slow down, or was irrelevant in any case. I had almost |
| can ponder them and sometimes they can drive us to | | | | a loss of self-consciousness, because I was fully |
| distraction. We often find it difficult to ignore them. Just | | | | immersed in what I was doing". And how did that feel? |
| how seriously we take our thoughts and how they | | | | "It was quite pleasurable; it was like I was thinking just |
| affect our actions can be explored through the tennis | | | | one thought-''play the entire time''. How would you rate |
| playing zombie. | | | | your game? "the whole experience was more |
| The Tennis Playing Zombie is not an imaginary being; it | | | | objective than subjective, it was a bit like being a |
| is a modern, elite sportsperson who has an uncanny | | | | tennis-playing zombie..." |
| knack of playing to the best of their ability nearly every | | | | Such a recount of playing tennis is very similar to what |
| time they step out onto the court. Unlike the | | | | professional sportspeople classify as playing "in the |
| philosophical zombie they are sentient beings, but like | | | | zone" or having a "flow experience". Now (A) has a |
| the philosophical zombie they operate on automata | | | | very convoluted way of getting into the zone but |
| because they don't have, 'what it is like?' to play tennis | | | | professional sportspeople are able to slip into the zone |
| experiences while on court. | | | | easily and at will. They have to- their livelihood depends |
| All elite tennis players have awareness when they are | | | | on it. |
| playing. When they walk out onto the court it would be | | | | A study by (Young, in 1999) confirmed the findings of |
| hard to ignore the crowd or the sense of occasion, | | | | earlier studies by (Cooper, 1998 and Loeher,1995) that |
| and in some cases this may lead to a realization of, 'I | | | | "the zone" or "flow experience" is a universal |
| know what it is like to be nervous'. It also goes without | | | | phenomenon, regardless of the sports involved. When |
| saying that it is necessary to be aware of what is | | | | it comes to playing in the zone, there is no 'what it is |
| happening on court while playing. All players know | | | | like to play tennis?', 'what it is like to play basketball?' or |
| what it is like to hit a winner or loose a crucial point. | | | | 'what it is like to play any other sport?' All sports have |
| The problem for most players is that while awareness | | | | an uncanny similarity when it comes to experiencing |
| is a general state of being it is sometimes difficult to | | | | them in the zone. |
| choose what to and what not to reflect on. However, | | | | Universal zone experiences are a case for " the |
| it will be shown that it is not only possible not to reflect | | | | zombie experience", how else can we explain such a |
| on anything, it is actually best sporting practice. | | | | similarity of experiences regardless of the sport or the |
| Zombies are aware of what is happening around | | | | professionals involved? Philosophical Zombies |
| them, but don't reflect on thoughts and experiences. | | | | experience the world in the same way just as |
| All elite players know that negative emotions can | | | | professional sportspeople experience sport in the |
| affect performance, while others have recognised that | | | | same way. Sportspeople express a strong affinity |
| too much positive emotion can also negatively affect | | | | with what they are doing. There is an awareness that |
| performance, if allowed to linger on too long. They | | | | the mind and the environment are merging into a |
| seem to instinctively know that taking their thoughts | | | | reciprocal relationship (automatic by-passing of the |
| too seriously while on court can stop them from | | | | cognitive process). This is because athletes are |
| producing their best. | | | | operating without the need for reflective awareness. |
| The ideal mental state for an elite performer is to | | | | This is one explanation as to why athletes are able to |
| become an epiphenomenalist while on court. In other | | | | carry out a procedure, but later on are unable to give |
| words, they must be able to view their thoughts as a | | | | an explanation as to how they managed to do it. In |
| by-product of the physical activity in which they are | | | | other words, there was no 'what it is like experience?', |
| engaging in. Just as steam is a by-product of boiling | | | | so elaboration becomes difficult. |
| water, thoughts should be allowed to drift away like | | | | The tennis player would also not be able to articulate |
| steam evaporating in the air. As a tennis-playing | | | | the experience of a single on-court item, he/she was |
| zombie the athlete has been trained in the physical | | | | becoming increasingly unaware of their environment |
| requirements and specialized techniques needed to | | | | because they were in a non-reflective state of mind. |
| play tennis at its highest level. Elite players don't need | | | | We could ask said player, " was it a satisfying |
| or want the distractions of, 'what it is like?' experiences | | | | experience playing in the zone?" No doubt they would |
| while playing. Some athletes have shown frustration | | | | answer in the affirmative, but this is only upon reflection |
| with such experiences and have claimed that the | | | | after the match. They don't actually think, or more to |
| conscious mind is a hindrance rather than a help when | | | | the point, don't try and think, 'this is fun' while they are |
| trying to perform at an optimal level. Instead they try | | | | playing. Once a player starts reflecting on what is |
| for a performance brought on by adequately reacting | | | | happening, there is a danger of slipping out of the zone |
| to a situation without the need to think about what | | | | because they are having a, 'what it is like?' experience. |
| they are doing. They want their actions to be largely | | | | The "zone' or 'flow' experience is a universal state of |
| automatic. | | | | mind which is best described as a state of mind which |
| I am of the opinion that elite tennis players who can | | | | lacks reflective awareness. It has been stated that a |
| achieve this are for all intention purposes, tennis-playing | | | | lack of reflective awareness enables the athlete to a |
| zombies. But how are sentient beings able to stop | | | | direct link between perception and action thus by |
| reflecting and become zombies while they are playing | | | | passing the cognitive process. The advantage of |
| sport? Elite players don't have to reflect upon how to | | | | by-passing the cognitive process would be that it |
| play their shots. Long practice sessions and may | | | | allows for a more rapid processing of environmental |
| matches have ensured players don't have stop and | | | | information. (Hardy et. al., 2003) Like the tennis playing |
| think how to produce a serve or backhand. In fact, | | | | zombie a better performance is possible through doing |
| once committed to "muscle memory" the mechanics | | | | what is necessary and efficient without having to think |
| can be difficult to change. | | | | about it. |
| This however does not solve the problem of 'what it is | | | | An obvious criticism of the tennis playing zombie is that |
| like?' experiences. No matter how well drilled a players | | | | human players might need to change their pregame |
| shots are they can still suffer from nerves and anxiety | | | | strategy while actually playing. In other words, if things |
| which will inhibit a zone like performance. What is | | | | are not going to plan they might have to monitor what |
| required is a "blank" or "neutral" mind which will facilitate | | | | is happening and then think about implementing a |
| a direct link between perception and action. The | | | | different strategy. However, this is not necessarily the |
| automatic performance of an action without the need | | | | case. Sports psychologists make us of hierarchical |
| for cognition is know in sports psychology as an | | | | model of cognitive control to explain automatic motor |
| ecological model of performance (Hardy et.al., 2003). I | | | | performance without the need for conscious |
| am of the opinion that a blank mind satisfies the | | | | awareness. The idea is that higher level processing |
| ecological criteria even though there is no evidence to | | | | indirectly controls lower order operations. When |
| support this claim. The reason for this may lie in the | | | | engaged in sporting competition athletes do think about |
| fact it doesn't seem possible for anyone to play sport | | | | things from time to time, if only because they are |
| without drawing on their cognitive powers. In other | | | | human. However, for most of the time they trust their |
| words, it is impossible to play with a blank mind. Or is | | | | motor system to do what is necessary in terms of |
| it? | | | | mechanics. It seems that necessary adjustments are |
| The Tennis Playing Zombie Argument | | | | implemented as a motor response rather than a |
| Tennis player (A) dislikes tennis player (B), both on and | | | | cognitive response.(Hardy et.al.,2003). Interestingly |
| off the court. They are drawn to play each other in a | | | | enough this is in spite of the fact that they come from |
| singles match. The first time (A) comes to the net (B) | | | | higher level processing. |
| sizes the opportunity and drives the ball straight at him. | | | | Conclusion |
| (A) becomes very angry because he sees this as a | | | | The arguments presented thus far points to the fact |
| deliberate attempt by (B) to injure him. Player (A) | | | | that it is possible to play tennis without recourse to |
| begins to boil over with rage; it is all he can do to stop | | | | cognition, provided the mind can be induced into a |
| himself jumping the net and having it out with (B). As a | | | | neutral or blank state while actually undertaking the |
| result his skills are dramatically affected and he loses | | | | performance.A blank mind appears to be able to |
| the match. | | | | channel higher order perception into controlling motor |
| If we were to as (A) 'what it feels like' to play (B), he | | | | action without a recourse to cognition. Such an |
| might liken it to a war. He doesn't like the ball being | | | | achievement I believe is conducive to achieving a |
| driven straight at him and he can't stand the smirk on | | | | "zone' or "flow" response. Passive on court meditation |
| (B's) face when he hit's a winner past him. Next week | | | | is only one of any number of way that it is possible to |
| (A) plays (C) in a game of singles and exactly the | | | | induce a blank state of mind. No doubt athletes have |
| same thing happens when (A) finds himself at the net. | | | | their own methods that they have developed over |
| Because (A) believes (rightly or wrongly) that (C) is his | | | | time.The advantage of by-passing the cognitive |
| friend, he interprets this as an accident and both are | | | | process is exactly the same advantage afforded to |
| able to laugh the incident off. (A) has a very different | | | | any zombie. Zombies can't get nervous or anxious |
| experience, given the similarity of situations. The | | | | regardless of how stressful a situation may seem to a |
| scenario thus far suggests that, 'what it is like to be in | | | | human. Zombies are shielded from stress and anxiety |
| a situation?' is very much a subjective experience. | | | | by their lack of ability to reflect upon a situation. |
| However, this is about to change dramatically for the | | | | Athletes who shield themselves from such |
| embattled tennis player. | | | | experiences by a blank mind approach give |
| The next time (A) has to play (B) again, he knows that | | | | themselves the best opportunity to 'cross-over' into the |
| he should easily beat his opponent, but fears that | | | | zone. |
| personal feelings will get in the way of a strong | | | | References |
| performance. Indeed, there appears no way he can | | | | Hardy, L, Jones, G and Gould, D. (2003) Understanding |
| win. (A) laments his predicament into the sympathetic | | | | Psychological Preparation for Sport: Theory and |
| ear of (C). As luck would have it (C) is an expert in | | | | Practice of Elite Performers, Chichester; John Willy and |
| mindfulness meditation and suggests to (A) that he | | | | Sons, pp.179-180. |
| needs to change the way he thinks on the tennis court. | | | | |