Psychology: White Moments

[Mr Epee]

"At the peak of tremendous and victorious effort, while the blood is pounding in your head, all suddenly comes quiet within you. Everything seems clearer and whiter than ever before, as if great spotlights had been turned on.At that moment, you have the conviction that you contain all the power in the world, that you are capable of everything, that you have wings. There is no more precise moment in life than this, the WHITE MOMENT, and you will work hard for years, just to taste it again."

Have you ever experienced a White Moment while fencing?

Can you describe the experience?

[RoninX]

I had one of those, then I woke up two days late in a hospital bed. The doctor said it wasn't a White Moment but a blood clot.

I've been working ever since to make sure it doesn't happen again.

<not really>

I have heard about something like this from other people actually. When I ran cross country a guy on the team described having a sensation like this "very quiet, beyond runner's high" was how I remember him describing it. We were actually a little worried about him. I don't know about the whiteness though.

[KD5MDK]

No. (characters)

[Schiavona]

When I was fencing and competeting I did experience something like what was described, only I had had epsiodes like this since I was a child. I would actually go "berserk", have blood vessels in my eyes pop-the whole shebang.

I began fencing as part of a self-directed anger management program. There was a big difference, instead of unthinking rage, I felt many of the things Mr Epee wrote. One big difference, I felt I knew what my opponent was going to do before he did it. This feeling, along with my anger problems, faded and went away by my late twenties.

It is a cool feeling, but I associated it with my anger-which I hated.

[tbryan]

my anger-which I hated.

For some reason, I find that phrase incredibly amusing. I almost expected it to keep going...

Did you love your hatred?
And were you jealous of your love?
Leading to a fear of your jealousy.
Then you became complacent with your fear.
Which made you angry at your complacency.
But your anger, you hated.

[RoninX]

^ LOL If I could rep you for that I would. Hilarious. ^

[tbryan]

Have you ever experienced a White Moment while fencing?

Can you describe the experience?

No.

On the other hand, when I'm fencing, many of the concerns outside of fencing just melt away. School. Work. Future. Past. All gone for a moment while I become completely focused on a little part of the world measuring 2 meters by 14 meters.

I wouldn't want to live there, but it's a nice place to visit.

[RoninX]

while I become completely focused on a little part of the world measuring 2 meters by 14 meters

Your opponents must be awfully big!

[tbryan]

while I become completely focused on a little part of the world measuring 2 meters by 14 meters

Your opponents must be awfully big!

Indeed! Sword in my hand, I focused on La Piste, measuring 14 meters by 2 meters. I emerged from the battle victorious.

I could challenge the tailor for his skill in battling giants.

[glowstix]

i think i've had one of these moments, but not for the extent of the bout but maybe for a few touches.

[fencerbill]

At peaks, I have a few times experienced what I would describe as time dilation. Things appear to slow down so that I know what my opponent is doing as if s/he was immersed in molasses. I have time to finish my attack in an open line, I can see what line they are attacking in and i have time to make the correct perfect parry, and I know what line will be open to make my response which I know will arrive perfectly.

The occurrence of these moments, unfortunately, comes along only when, between lessons and other practice, I am fencing a minimum of five times a week and I am otherwise in excellent physical condition. I can take a break for a few days before an important competition and still have it happen. It only happens when I am thoroughly warmed up and have no physical limitations such as injury or a cold. And if I take a break of a few weeks, it won't return until I am again thoroughly prepared.

Oh, and a lousy referee can prevent it from happening.

[Joe biebel]

Yes. I call it tournaments. Really, the original quote is great. I have felt this numerous times. I especially enjoy the focus I feel. Unlike when I am concentrating on a single thing at a time say, at work; sometimes when I'm fencing, I see and hear everything that is going on and take it all in. The opponent, the tactics, the referee, the clip on my opponents lame that's coming off, the shapes of all the females in the room, what the coach of my opponent is doing. Thank God they don't drug test the Veteran fencers.

I'm actually getting better at creating the mental situation to achieve this.

[Inquartata]

No, I have not.

[Phrogger]

At peaks, I have a few times experienced what I would describe as time dilation. Things appear to slow down so that I know what my opponent is doing as if s/he was immersed in molasses. I have time to finish my attack in an open line, I can see what line they are attacking in and i have time to make the correct perfect parry, and I know what line will be open to make my response which I know will arrive perfectly.

Some people call it being "in the zone." Happened to me once or twice, many, many years ago, at the peak of my form. I think the "White Moments" sounds a bit more like runner's high to me. Does anybody think this is the same thing or two different phenomena?

[fencingfrog]

I think 'the zone,' 'runners high' and 'white moments' are all basically the same thing. obviously, runners high only happens to runners under that name, but all 3 (or any more names for the same thing) are the same. you reach a point where you can think clearly, are free of distractions, etc.

[foilhag]

I agree with Phrogger that being in the zone and "white moments" sound like different things.

I've certainly been in the zone while competing. I've never had the feelings of invincibility described in the white moment quote.

[fencingfrog]

i think the white moments dont grant you invincibility, but like in the zone, you are extremely focused and therefore can see attacks or parries coming. your reaction time is better, and that makes you seem invincible to your opponent. the zone is finding that way of fencing, but maybe not in the context where you feel invincible-it could be fencing someone else with good reactions or reflexes to counter the zone.

[VERITAS]

I've had a few glimpses of this phenomenon...

I find for some reason that it is more difficult to acheive this state of mind in fencing than in many other sports.

Playing basketball in my backyard can, on almost a daily basis, lead to something of a 'white moment'. In fencing this state is harder to acheive because of the greater amount of thinking. Too many stimuli and derailed trains of thought bouncing around to get any clarity.

The added stress of tournaments tends to impede my Zen flow, although I'm improving slightly with each additional experience under my belt.

Also, I think I get in 'the zone' during attacks more frequently than in defensive actions. Maybe that's my nature, or maybe that's the way fencing works. When do you find your fencing zone?

Just the other day I saw a fencing training CD on eBay claiming to greatly improve your mental game through Self-Hypnosis...anyone tried something like this??

[RoninX]

It may be just a matter of degree, but I have "found the zone" in fencing and in many sports. Time slows, vision is extra sharp. I have never experienced any "whiteness" or deafening/silence though.

Again it could be a matter of degree, but the "work hard for years" just to regain it seems to indicate something hard to acheive than "getting in the zone".

[JasminaJ]

If you are interested in the time slowing techniques, the March issue of Discovery Magazine has a great article about it. It is a fairly lightweight science magazine compared to the likes of Scientific American, but I haven't seen much published on this subject.
No, never experienced the White Moment. Unfortunately, I have had near-death experiences with illness. And felt time slowed in crisis situations. What Mom hasn't?