What does a monk and a triathlete have in common? Both have developed a system for reaching a higher state of consciousness. You don’t have to sit still and meditate to reach a focused state of awareness. According to elite athlete and author, Marty Gallagher, intense states of physical exertion and the right mindset can lead to an exercise-induced altered mind state. The elite athlete reaps the benefits of a meditational state and can induce a superhuman state of performance. The point of the article below is to show that there are many ways to reach a highly aware, meditational state where attention is singularly focused on the present moment. Vigorous exercise is not exactly an easier path to a meditation practice, but it is an interesting view into what the body is capable of achieving when it goes into this state of “Iron Zazen”. Read more about this unusual path to higher consciousness here.