Mind Preparation

Mrs A and I went out for dinner last night and I hit the tables later on when she'd gone to bed.Her huff is over and things are running smoothly again which is great news for us as a couple and also for my poker bankroll.( after last weekends moody tiltfest)

The tables were kinder to me too as I managed to come 3rd in my first $15 turbo and
then take down the next one. I won $10 at the Stars 6 max $50 nl too,lost $20 at Laddys and won $20 at Party.

Once again every time I lose I could replay the hand easily in my head ( usually on a repeat loop) but after my two ITM's last night I can barely recall a single winning hand!( but I'm sure my money went in as favourite every time!!)

It's strange how I can have a vague idea for a blog post floating around my head and within a few days Dr Pauly mentions he does it and quotes Andy Black ( on his Wednesday post) as stating he's also at it for up to two hours per day to prepare his mind for poker.I'm on about meditation and the only plan I had was to start my post with "I'm not into mumbo jumbo type nonsense but....".

I did include it on my 7 unknown facts about me yesterday and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a clear and uncluttered mind.I first tried it over 10 years ago when I'd being feeling really low after the end of a long term relationship and was surprised at how such a simple technique could leave me feeling so fresh and invigorated.

The truth is that I stopped attending the Buddhist centre because I'd progressed from the beginners class to the advanced class, and I felt that although I was interested in the Buddhism side of it,I didn't want to take that interest further,and really wished to simply concentrate on meditating for my own spirtual wellbeing rather than as a route to religious enlightenment of any kind.

The other idea I've been meaning to mention here is using the power of visualisation to focus the mind at the poker tables.Once again, it would be easy to dismiss it as new age nonsense, or more mumbo jumbo, ( and feel free to do so and head over to the links on the right!)but I feel that as confidence is such a huge part of doing well at any sport/interest, then any potential edge shouldn't be ignored without trying it, or at least giving it some thought.

I've read about athletes who visualise the whole race ahead of them and I'm sure there are loads of books on the subject of using visualisation in business and commerce.At the poker table ( or before the game begins) I think it's a matter of simply closing my eyes for a moment and focusing on the fact that I will play strong, tight agressive poker and will not be mentally drained by any beats that come my way.

I tried it and imagined I was the big stack at the table, making confident decisions based on logic,experience and player reads.This was the other week and I left that $50nl table with $241.

Adapt as required but remember you can't fool yourself.I tried it again at a later date but I was already tired and playing quite poorly and it done with half assed conviction and soon came back to bite me.

Ok if there's anyone left still reading, then here's a basic starter for ten on how to meditate taken ( didn't see any copyright on the site so I hope simply linking and giving credit is ok)from here.No humming involved!



The most basic form of meditation involves attending to one's breath.

Begin by sitting in a simple chair, keeping your back erect if you can. The more traditional postures are the lotus position, sitting on a pillow with each foot upon the opposite thigh, and variations such as the half lotus (one foot on the opposite thigh, the other out in front of the opposite knee). This is difficult for many people. Some people kneel, sitting back on their legs or on a pillow between their legs. Many use a meditation bench: kneel, then place a little bench beneath your behind. But meditation is also done while standing, slowly walking, lying on the floor, or even in a recliner!

Traditionally, the hands are placed loosely, palms up, one on top of the other, and with the thumbs lightly touching. This is called the cosmic mudra, one of a large number of symbolic hand positions. You may prefer to lay them flat on your thighs, or any other way that you find comfortable.

Your head should be upright, but not rigid. The eyes may be closed, or focussed on a spot on the ground a couple of feet ahead of you, or looking down at your hands. If you find yourself getting sleepy, keep your eyes open!

Beginning meditators are often asked to count their breath, on the exhale, up to ten. Then you begin back at one. If you loose track, simply go back to one. Your breath should be slow and regular, but not forced or artificially controlled. Just breathe naturally and count.

A few weeks later, you may forego the counting and try to simply follow your breath. Concentrate on it entering you and exiting you. Best is to be aware as fully as possible of the entire process of breathing, but most people focus on one aspect or another: the sensation of coolness followed by warmth at the nostrils, or the rise and fall of the diaphragm. Many meditators suggest imagining the air entering and exiting a small hole an inch or two below your navel. Keeping your mind lower on the body tends to lead to deeper meditation. If you are sleepy, then focus higher, such as at the nostrils.

You will inevitably find yourself distracted by sounds around you and thoughts within. The way to handle them is to acknowledge them, but do not attach yourself to them. Do not get involved with them. Just let them be, let them go, and focus again on the breath. At first, it might be wise to scratch when you itch and wiggle when you get uncomfortable. Later, you will find that the same scant attention that you use for thoughts and sounds will work with physical feelings as well.

A more advanced form of meditation is shikantaza, or emptiness meditation. Here, you don't follow anything at all. There is no concentration -- only quiet mindfulness. You hold your mind as if you were ready for things to happen, but don't allow your mind to become attached to anything. Things -- sounds, smells, aches, thoughts, images -- just drift in and out, like clouds in a light breeze. This is my own favorite.

Many people have a hard time with their thoughts. We are so used to our hyperactive minds, that we barely notice the fact that they are usually roaring with activity. So, when we first sit and meditate, we are caught off guard by all the activity. So some people find it helpful to use a little imagination to help them meditate. For example, instead of counting or following your breath, you might prefer to imagine a peaceful scene, perhaps floating in a warm lagoon, until the noise of your mind quiets down.

Meditate for fifteen minutes a day, perhaps early in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up, or late at night when everything has quieted down. If that's too much, do it once a week if you like. If you want, do more. Don't get frustrated. And don't get competitive, either. Don't start looking forward to some grand explosion of enlightenment. If you have great thoughts, fine. Write them down, if you like. Then go back to breathing. If you feel powerful emotions, wonderful. Then go back to breathing. The breathing is enlightenment.