Let's get this, Michael!

Alright boys, let's get this practice started!

Long ago, in a state called Baltimore, there were two boys, Michael and Jose, and their coach, Bob. As swimmers, the two boys practice every day with their coach watching over them. Once a week, they race to see who is faster.

Michael and Jose always start and end practice at the same time. They race at the end of every week. Today is the last day of the week. Michael has never lost a race until today. On this day Michael loses his first ever race to Jose. This makes Michael mad. After losing, Michael lost his confidence and no longer feels motivated to win. 

HAHAHAHAHA you lost Michael!

Michael, let me talk to you. 

Jose makes fun of Michael. Bob calls over Michael to have a talk with him.  Michael does not know what Bob wants to talk to him about but thinks that it will be something helpful. Little does Michael know, this talk will change his life for the better.

Bob and Michael begin their talk in an empty storage room so that Michael can fully listen to what Bob has to say without Jose hearing their conversation. Bob begins with right concentration, a step from the Eightfold path which comes from Buddhism.  

Michael, have you ever heard of right concentration from the Eightfold Path? 

No, I haven't

I don't get how this relates to swimming.

Oh I think I get it now. What else can I do to get faster?

Well, by letting go of all distractions, you can fully focus on swimming. This is used by the Buddhist monks to fully concentrate. In order to do this, there are no right ways and it is just whatever works best for you.

Bob explains, "Right concentration involves letting go of everything in your mind and only focusing on right now and whatever it is you are doing (Donaldson)." At first, Michael does not get what Bob is trying to tell him. Bob explains how using right concentration can help in swimming and Michael finally understands it. However, Michael knows that this won't be enough.

Bob explains the Taoist way of living, Wu Wei. Bob explains, "Another way to swim faster is by using Wu Wei. It was made by the Taoists and by doing things more effortlessly, it makes it easier to perfectly respond to any situation or obstacle (Reninger). By swimming effortlessly you can swim in a way that let's you go faster and use less energy. Although Wu Wei may seem like it's about not trying, it is more about using less effort to go faster (Joppich). Remember that." Learning about Wu Wei helps Michael a lot and he now knows a new way to swim faster. After learning these two ways to swim faster, Michael feels ready to race Jose again. 

I think I'm ready to race Jose again!

Alright, well let's go back out there!