Mindfulness and the Brain: intuition as THE mode of action to excel in business and in life

Literature available seems to indicate that stress and anxiety, as well as self-concept, play a decisive role in academic performance. Furthermore, meditation has been demonstrated to reduce stress and anxiety, at the same time it leads to improved cognitive skills, such as attention, memory and concentration, as well as academic performance. (source: "Exploring the effects of a Mindfulness Program for Students of Secondary School", International Journal of Knowledge Society, 2011).

The way to excel  in any type of activity (intelectual, artistic, athletic) is first to learn and then forget. Otherwise knowledge closes our mind instead of opening it. So, first we learn the methods and techniques then we need to forget them, and just follow our intuition. In the first part we use the left hemisphere of the brain (analytical thinking) and then we act freely by unleashing the right hemisphere of the brain (holistical thinking).

Lets see, for instance, what happens in sports, according to James Harvey Stout: the analytical function of the mind learns techniques, and it analyzes our movements (and the opposing team's general techniques), and it tries to control the body willfully. This mode is vital when we first learn a sport, but it becomes less important as we master the basic skills and make them automatic. Then, we can rely more upon intuition.

Each moment in every game is unique and infinitely complex (with regard to the possible action of each player); only intuition can give us the overview of all of those unique dynamics -- including the movements of other players, our own capabilities at this moment, etc. The best players are intuitive; for example, they know that the opposing team's defense will open a hole for them at a specific instant.     

In contrast, if we rely on analysis, we are limited in many ways:
=> Analysis depends upon technical knowledge. This technical knowledge is merely a generalization of the methods of the sport; by itself, it does not account for the singular factors in this moment.

=> Analysis depends upon sensory data. We do not have "eyes in the back of our head" -- but intuition can detect motion and intention of players who are beyond even the peripheral range of our senses.

Furthermore, meditation is the key method to control and "upgrade" our mind (emotions), so the mind can control the body. Recent research supports both a physical and brain contribution to the perception of exercise fatigue. Brain imaging research indicates a key role for the brain insula region in regulating subjective fatigue and in making a decision to discontinue exercise. Highly trained athletes show an ability to attenuate the brain right insula activation found in untrained athletes with extreme exertion (source).

The Tibetan Running Technique (Lung Ta) is a meditation-in-movement technique that allows us to overcome fatigue and reach high peak performance, both in speed and power.

It can also be used in daily life to develop a healthy body and a healthy mind. As with all meditation practices, it will empower us with creativity, empathy and insight.