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What does this even mean?!
Eric Krewson:
I read the Zen book and was intrigued with it, mind over matter so to speak.
The book stressed visualizing your shot; one day at the indoor range as I was about to leave when I noticed a 2" piece of aluminum arrow someone had hung by a string in front of the back stop to use as a swinging target.
I was going out the door and stopped a little beyond the 30 yard line with my back to the backstop, I closed my eyes and visualised my arrow centering that piece of broken arrow on the string.
I knocked and arrow in my Bighorn, spun around and in one smooth motion drew and shot at the almost invisible piece of arrow. I heard a "tink" followed by pieces of the broken arrow hitting the concrete floor. I had hit this piece of arrow so perfectly that I broke it into two pieces even though with it hanging on a string.
I thought "this stuff works" and could make amazing shots for a week or two but then found this focus took an amazing amount of concentration and will power. I got sloppy and lost the focus and the ability.
WhistlingBadger:
--- Quote from: Eric Krewson on February 11, 2020, 08:43:13 am ---I read the Zen book and was intrigued with it, mind over matter so to speak.
The book stressed visualizing your shot; one day at the indoor range as I was about to leave when I noticed a 2" piece of aluminum arrow someone had hung by a string in front of the back stop to use as a swinging target.
I was going out the door and stopped a little beyond the 30 yard line with my back to the backstop, I closed my eyes and visualised my arrow centering that piece of broken arrow on the string.
I knocked and arrow in my Bighorn, spun around and in one smooth motion drew and shot at the almost invisible piece of arrow. I heard a "tink" followed by pieces of the broken arrow hitting the concrete floor. I had hit this piece of arrow so perfectly that I broke it into two pieces even though with it hanging on a string.
I thought "this stuff works" and could make amazing shots for a week or two but then found this focus took an amazing amount of concentration and will power. I got sloppy and lost the focus and the ability.
--- End quote ---
Yep, I've experienced that sort of thing, too. I think the mark of a master is someone who can maintain that complete focus (and yes, complete lack of effort, at the same time--Zen) shot after shot, day after day.
I'm not into Zen spirituality (I'm a follower of Jesus, and at risk of bringing "religion" into it, there are some real similarities: the outward goodness is not the point, but merely a means to an end, and a natural outcome of an inner change), but I think that sort of consistent, effortless, complete concentration is an admirable, and probably attainable, goal. I hope to get close some day. I'm intrigued by the idea that the inner game is more important than the outer action. I often find that to be the case for me, in archery and elsewhere.
Some people call it being "in the zone," or "in the flow." A musician friend of mine refers to it as "the instrument is playing me." I get there now and then, and it is a beautiful thing. I guess the real paradox of the thing is that attaining that effortless state requires a whoooole lot of conscious, deliberate work.
I read "Zen in the Art of Archery" years ago when I was in college and thought I understood stuff. I remember that the student was trying to find the trick to aiming, totally missing the point, and the teacher was so upset he refused to go on with lessons for a while.
JEB:
Well I know karate and seven other foreign words and that about it for this Zen thing for me. I just grab a bow and arrow and kill deer. (SH) :-D
wstanley:
I used to play college baseball (shortstop) and you can tell when your pitcher is off his game, has no control. No matter what they do to adjust, they just cant find the strike-zone. We would say: "quit aiming the ball and throw it!" I think the quotes are saying the same thing. Let your natural ability take over, and keep your mind out of it. Focus of body and mind without actually thinking about it. Just do it. Instinct. That's what I think anyways.
WhistlingBadger:
--- Quote from: JEB on February 11, 2020, 11:21:17 am ---Well I know karate and seven other foreign words and that about it for this Zen thing for me. I just grab a bow and arrow and kill deer. (SH) :-D
--- End quote ---
Sounds about right to me! ;D (SH)
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