The zone!

**duckonin** · 6th July 2010, 09:51

Originally Posted by MSTRS

For who?
The Zone isn't a real place. We know that. It's a barely adequate term to try to describe in one word, that state of mind that exists when one is totally immersed in what they are doing (esp when on a bike) and everything seems to be in balance. Could also be called 'in tune with whatever'.
A state that leaves one feeling slightly euphoric, probably from the flood of endorphins one gets from the pleasure of everything flowing 'just right'.

Sums it up some what, can be in any sport not (esp when on a bike ) but + 1

**bogan** · 6th July 2010, 09:52

and you know where the word zone came from, Zen obviously, someone must have thought that was too faggy and renamed it, or maybe an error in translation. But The zone seems to mean the same as zen, and sound so similar, coincidence, I think not!

**DMNTD:Me** · 6th July 2010, 10:08

Jebus....starting to zone out

**duckonin** · 6th July 2010, 10:25

Originally Posted by DMNTD

Jebus....starting to zone out

Absolutely, that can happen also ha ha ....

**flyingcrocodile46** · 6th July 2010, 10:27

Originally Posted by bogan

and you know where the word zone came from, Zen obviously, someone must have thought that was too faggy and renamed it, or maybe an error in translation. But The zone seems to mean the same as zen, and sound so similar, coincidence, I think not!

I was tempted to make some kind of comparison but could not do so as Zen is so much more encompassing than the subject matter at hand. Finding the zone is but a very small and superficial part of what Zen is about.

Zen can't be explained , only experienced. A very small taste of the Zen state is infinitely more humbling than the state of mind achieved when 'in the zone' riding a motorcycle.

Zen makes no sense in our world of logic. No sense at all.

An old Zen student called Hsiang-yen went to dokusan with Kuei-shan Ling-yu (771-853), the T'ang dynasty master, and Kuei-shan gave him a koan, of which over and over he was unable to see into it's mysteries.

Hsiang-yen decided that it was all too much for him and he would surrender. He went away and found a sacred site, the grave of the Sixth Patriarch of Chinese Zen, Hui-neng, and maintained it as a shrine. Day in and day out he had no thought about the world except his sweeping. Then one day, sweeping away, he swept a pebble into a bamboo grove beside the shrine. The pebble hit a piece of hollow bamboo and went "ping!" and he jumped up and down.

The "ping!" shook him to pieces and he said, "One ping! and I have forgotten all I knew!" and he composed a poem in his excitement: "Last year's poverty was not true poverty, this year even the wind can get through". Hsiang-yen was Enlightened

**imdying** · 6th July 2010, 10:53

Originally Posted by MSTRS

The Zone isn't a real place. We know that. It's a barely adequate term to try to describe in one word, that state of mind that exists when one is totally immersed in what they are doing (esp when on a bike) and everything seems to be in balance. Could also be called 'in tune with whatever'.
A state that leaves one feeling slightly euphoric, probably from the flood of endorphins one gets from the pleasure of everything flowing 'just right'.

What he said. I would expect that most have been there, even if they don't identify with it re motorcycling. Motorcycling, running, dancing, welding, even working; been in 'the zone' during all of these activities more than once. The triggers are all a little different, but all the same too in many ways.

**avgas** · 6th July 2010, 11:25

Originally Posted by bogan

and you know where the word zone came from, Zen obviously, someone must have thought that was too faggy and renamed it, or maybe an error in translation. But The zone seems to mean the same as zen, and sound so similar, coincidence, I think not!

No it came from the word "Home" where the sex is made. It was said that before reaching climax in sex, members of the the home would reach "the zone".
Sadly it was tarnished in the US by claims of incest.

**onearmedbandit** · 6th July 2010, 11:30

All I know is that the Red Zone is not for parking.

**Edbear** · 6th July 2010, 11:38

Originally Posted by imdying

What he said. I would expect that most have been there, even if they don't identify with it re motorcycling. Motorcycling, running, dancing, welding, even working; been in 'the zone' during all of these activities more than once. The triggers are all a little different, but all the same too in many ways.

Used to get that playing tennis, too. That situation where everything is working as it should, the rhythm is smooth and steady and you are at one with the activity and you are hitting everything right. It is a natural "high". Also had it when working in the forestry.

**Katman** · 6th July 2010, 11:40

Originally Posted by Edbear

It is a natural "high". Also had it when working in the forestry.

No, that's called smoko.

**bogan** · 6th July 2010, 11:46

Originally Posted by avgas

No it came from the word "Home" where the sex is made. It was said that before reaching climax in sex, members of the the home would reach "the zone".
Sadly it was tarnished in the US by claims of incest.

so you ride your bike at home, and liken it to sex? theres a word for that sorta behavior, don't think its the zone though

**Edbear** · 6th July 2010, 11:46

Originally Posted by Katman

No, that's called smoko.

Especially when sitting downwind of the others....

**R-Soul** · 6th July 2010, 12:39

Originally Posted by imdying

What he said. I would expect that most have been there, even if they don't identify with it re motorcycling. Motorcycling, running, dancing, welding, even working; been in 'the zone' during all of these activities more than once. The triggers are all a little different, but all the same too in many ways.

Yup- I have even been in the zone from drafiing a good specification.