ACCEPTING EN

This instalment is pretty short, but I think I have put my point across. Adopting a fatalistic attitude will go a long way in improving your abilities. A fatalistic attitude about what?

• You will solve the problem, or you will not.
• You will eliminate your opponent, or you will not.
• You will be eliminated, or you will not.
• You will win, or you will not.

NOTE: By 'problem' I mean things like marker malfunctions, breaks in the barrel, etc.

There is no escaping from these four facts. Once your mind is free from apprehension, you will have removed yet another stumbling block from your quest to be a better player.

For example: I use apprehension in the context that you realize failure will result in your removal from the game. You will no longer be playing in the game. You may let your side down. All of these are fears, and potentially debilitating ones.

Here is the basic formula:

What I mean by "willingness to do what is necessary" is that instead of hunkering down behind a bunker (because you do not wish to be eliminated) you will stand up and MOVE, you will do SOMETHING.

Realistically speaking; SOMETHING is better than NOTHING.

For instance: With the "I don't care if I get eliminated" you will have an advantage over your opponent, as THEIR fears will cause them to hesitate. If you are NOT intimidated by the fact that YOU WILL be eliminated, you will act accordingly. This may very well lead to your elimination, but there will be times when it will not. The section about risks should help you determine when you should act and when you should not.

The mastery of your fate will not happen over night. If you practice it, each time you play, it will come naturally to you. Which is the idea of Shi-Tamajutsu.