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Over the course of this book, we have mentioned (and will continue to stress) the importance of avoiding distractions in order to achieve flow. While a “distraction” can mean different things for different goalies, an all-encompassing definition is any uncontrollable aspect of life or any mental noise that pulls you away from your ultimate goal. While we all know we can’t avoid many uncontrollable things that happen in life, as we mature, we learn how to manage this aspect of frustration within our daily lives by finding different ways to stay focused on the task at hand. Every goalie will have his or her own methods for dealing with an uncontrollable situation, but one way to manage the chaos and frustrations that can spill negativity into our lives is to understand, and properly utilize, the power of Withdrawal. For thousands of years, withdrawal has been practiced by spiritual figureheads in many different cultures. From early Christianity to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, extremely devoted priests, monks, athletes, warriors, and philosophers would practice what is known as Asceticism. By removing themselves from the temptations and distractions of daily life, they ultimately became closer to themselves and their ability to achieve their true goals. The word Asceticism is rooted in a Greek term meaning “exercise” or “training”. It describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often for reasons such as becoming a stronger and more devout human being. But an ascetic abstained from certain things not because they wanted to reject life’s pleasures or to be more virtuous beings, but because the process aided in their pursuit of better physical, emotional, and metaphysical health. The etymology of the word “ascetic” is actually an adjective that refers to the physical training for athletic events. Only later did the word’s usage extend to religious practices. So whether it’s a warrior preparing for the battlefield, an Olympian hoping to achieve glory for their country, or today’s pro goaltender preparing for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, abstaining from sex, rich foods, and other pleasures before a big competition is commonly practiced in order to mentally prepare. In the realm of elite goaltending, as Valley explained in Chapter 7, the most common form of Asceticism is Meditation. And this is a great way to answer the question, “Why should I meditate?” Meditation provides a wealth of benefits for goalies. Improving breathing techniques, clearing your mind, and relaxing are all excellent goals that one can achieve with a healthy dose of meditation. Additionally, meditation is a perfect way to execute the power of withdrawal because it can also help you realize just how many things can interfere with your ability to focus before a big game. So if you’re looking to achieve balance and better prepare for a game through withdrawal, ask yourself these questions: How many times do I check my phone from the moment I get to the rink until the moment I hit the ice for a game? How much time do I spend talking to teammates and girlfriends compared to stretching and mentally preparing? How much time do I spend visualizing myself making saves, going over the opponent’s roster, or discussing strategy with my defense and coaches? Do I just show up and expect success to fall in my lap, or do I execute a mental pre-game routine with a purpose? In today’s world, so many things are out there just waiting to distract you. All of these things are capable of getting in the way of how you prepare and focus and quiet your busy mind. Whether it’s being on your phone, checking Twitter and Facebook, or just worrying about what people and players will say about you, it is important to know how to put on your game face, act with confidence, avoid looking for approval from others, and just be yourself. If the act of meditating is still beyond your comfort zone, or you’re slowly working your way into these previously unfamiliar methods of strengthening your mental skills, consider the many alternative forms of Withdrawal. Take a walk around the rink before you get into the locker room, or walk around a park before you head to the rink (walking meditation is a commonly used method today). Put on your headphones and listen to music in the stands before anyone else shows up. Even something as simple as riding the stationary bike before a game can help you withdraw from distractions that take place prior to a game. Whatever it may be, try to find a few things that allow you to isolate yourself, so you can truly “tune in” to your mind and work on achieving flow before you hit the ice. Even if it’s the middle of the week, or you have some down time between practice and school, little things like reading a book, writing in a journal, taking a bath, or shooting hoops by yourself can be a healthy form of non-ascetic withdrawal. Proverbially speaking, it’s harder to find yourself when you’re lost among a forest full of trees. But when you stand alone on the prairie, joined only by the rolling winds, you can easily find yourself and tune into your body and your mind. So, instead of your mind being fragmented into many different components of life, the act of Withdrawal allows you to collect your mind’s energy and invest it into a singular effort – playing at your best. Ultimately, you may wonder: How does all of this benefit you as a goaltender? It benefits your development because it allows you to get into the rhythm of knowing and understanding the forces that can break your concentration and ruin the focus needed to play at your best. It improves your overall awareness, both mentally and metaphysically. And since our lives are filled with so much noise, different forms of Withdrawal help you find the answers you seek in the purity of silence. Even when you are in the heat of the battle, you can find the rhythm and the flow of the game in the silence. Blocking out the noise from the crowd, closing your eyes to focus on your breathing, or repeating short mantras to yourself are methods we find elite goalies using on a game-by-game basis. So separate yourself from the rest of the world whenever you feel pressure or anxiety or too many distractions getting in your way. Allow the silence to help you discover who you are, how you are feeling, and what you need to accomplish in order to play a relaxed, calm game. Withdraw yourself from daily life from time to time. Disconnect. Get away from it all. For inspiration is often found in isolation.