The impediment to action advances action.

What stands in the way becomes the way.

Marcus Aurelius

170 AD

The things which hurt, instruct.

—Benjamin Franklin

Objective judgment, now at this very moment.

Unselfish action, now at this very moment.

Willing acceptance—now at this very moment—of all external events.

That's all you need.

—Aurelius

Core MAC Principles

Attention

The capacity to direct your focus towards things relevant to the task at hand.

Poise

Act in service of your values, despite thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations

Internal State

The struggle to be without distress; that is the problem.

Not the existence of those feelings.

The Parade Metaphor

Commitment

Overcoming Internal States

• Go to Starbucks (or similar chain fast-food).
• Make your order.
• When you go to pay, ask for a 15% discount.
• You can argue your case, but no excuses.

MAC Program Trial

• Be mindful of your internal states
• Accept that they are impossible to avoid
• Commit yourself to action in spite of them

PERFORMANCE

The Mindful Athlete