It is the thesis of this book that neither mastery nor satisfaction can be found in the playing of any game without giving some attention to the relatively neglected skills of the inner game. But for some reason most of us find these instructions easier to remember than to execute. Mastering this game is the subject of many books offering instructions on how to swing a racket, club or bat, and how to position arms, legs or torso to achieve the best results. The outer game is played against an external opponent to overcome external obstacles, and to reach an external goal. "Timothy Gallwey has brought zen archery to tennis." - 'Adam Smith'Įvery game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game. "A splendid book - it has helped my game enormously, but, regrettably, I'm sure it will help my opponents' also." - Gay Talese Here is what the inside of the dust jacket has to say. I dont' want to post copyrighted material, even if it is 32 years old. Read chapter 1 during breakfast this morning. It looks like I got a copy of the original, not the revised test. With that mindset, the body becomes free to realize it's own potential within that system.Ĭlick to expand.Yup. It is ultimately a humble, respectful, and appreciative mindset that seeks only to participate in the creation of the events that unfold around it. This is the champion's mindset (whether or not champions would ever use these exact words to describe it). To win the inner game of tennis, one must recognize his proper role in the events of consciousness, and in relatively small measure, participate in their creation. It's a matter of seeing the body (and the tennis court, ball etc.) as exactly what they are-possibilities of conciousness. It seems that the perfect mindset for tennis is analogous to the mindset that is referred to in Yoga literature as "quantum meditation". It's funny to have come accross this book at this time in my life, because it echoes a lot of things that I have come accross in other books that I have been reading on quantum physics. I don't think that I'm ever going to look at the game the same way again. Now, I see strokes as little more than ever-changing habits, and I see the game as the struggle to quiet the mind to let the body work in its own way-at it's own rythm-my rythm. But more importantly, it has helped me to understand just what it means to win that game-and where competitive play fits into the picture. Obviously, as the title indicates, it's a game played inside one's self. This book has clarified for me just where the game of tennis is. I've always gotten myself tangled-up in competitive play and failed to reach my potential. I love to play the game, but I have really always been a stroke-maker more than anything. It's a must-read, must-memorize.įor a long time, I have struggled to understand the competition part of tennis.
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