Citation

Zhang LW. Prog. Brain Res. 2017; 232: 187-190.

Affiliation

Sport Science College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: liweizhang@hotmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/bs.pbr.2016.12.005

PMID

28648241

Abstract

This commentary on Hardy and colleagues' discussion of psychosocial biographies of British super-elite athletes discusses cultural differences from a Chinese perspective. While British super-elite athletes might cope with high pressure by a counter-phobic attitude or total preparation, Chinese super-elite athletes achieve that by "Pingchangxin," a concept originated from Hongzhou Buddhism. This concept is difficult to translate but includes having no evaluation of good and evil, maintaining a peaceful mind in adversity and frustration, letting nature take its course, so as to reach the realm of freedom. While it is necessary to have a fighting spirit to achieve our sporting goals during tough training and competitions, on the other hand, we also need Pingchangxin to deal with high pressure in critical moments, and ups and downs in competitions. This chapter outlines how Chinese athletes and coaches think of ways leading to Pingchangxin and methods used by Chinese sport psychologists to cultivate this mentality; such as psychological education, group discussion, and calligraphy workshops. Finally, this chapter proposes a three-level psychological construction system for Chinese super-elite athletes.

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Buddhism; Chinese culture; Competition; Coping; Pressure; Self-control