by Juvoni Beckford@juvoni
Before readingWhy I picked it up
Part of a collection of books I've purchased to gain a better understanding of Zen Buddhism. In this book by Eugen Herrigel, Zen is explored through his account of the six years he spent as the student of one of Japan's great Zen masters, and the process by which he overcame his initial inhibitions and began to look toward new ways of seeing and understanding. I was very curious about archery being a medium.
After readingPosted
Zen in the Art of Archery recounts Eugen Herrigel's experience training in Japan with a Zen Archery Master. As Eugen faces challenges learning Archery, his master teaches him the art through Zen, in which both areas are affected. I found Zen in the Art of Archery, very therapeutic and easy to understand coming from a Western, as well as an analytical mindset. It showed the beauty within the pursuit of an Art that has no end. You gained a better understanding on the power of intuition and trust in the process. Free your mind and become one with what you do and find strength and precision in relaxed concentration.
Three reasons to read it
- Learn more about Zen in philosophy (Eastern)
- A personal account of a westerner spending six years learning Archery with a Zen Master in Japan
- Getting to a state of flow in an art.
Notes for this book are still being transcribed.
