Zen in the Art of Archery

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Summary: Magnificent introduction to re-thinking your "techniques"
Review: Several years ago I read Ray Bradbury's "Zen in the Art of Writing." In it, he said he was inspired by Herrigel's book, and said it was a must-read for writing students. That's what I was, so that's what I did.

Describing the whole Zen approach to, for example, art is something I will leave to the late Prof. Herrigel. My opinion is that this book is one of the three books that made me re-think my approach to writing and a few other of my life's objectives. There are some things which must be studied and analyzed in order to become more proficient/knowledgable (e.g., Scrabble, History, automotive repair, fly fishing), some things which transcend study and analysis and move into creativity and the subconscious (e.g., cooking, salesmanship, customer service), and then things which are about 5% mentally attentive study and 95% "Zen." Such things might be creative writing, dance, archery, target shooting, martial arts, and other fields of study where the practitioner occasionally does something terrific and says "How did I do that?!"

I will not try to sell the reader on the notion that this book will teach how to tap into some inner identity that, when allowed, takes over our conscious selves and brings us to greater performance. I will say, however, that it makes a convincing argument that the typically Western notion of the conscious mind being responsible for our abilities is very flawed. Every practitioner of a martial art will affirm the truism that after diligent study and hard work, your fists and feet will find their targets even before your eyes and your mind see them. Well, coarse as that might seem, that is the heart and soul of Zen. Humans have a strange dual nature; our rational/conscious minds are responsible for so much of our perception of the world, that we tend to overemphasize the value of attentive thought. Easterners have long known that, if you study carefully under a good instructor, some time down the road something takes over and brings you to new levels of proficiency. Easterners call this Zen.

Zen has so many proponents and pundits that I don't wish to insert myself here and presume to the reader that I am among them. I would like to say, however, that if you are interested in getting a well-written, intelligent and thought-provoking book (and a small one at that) which will introduce you to a new way of looking at your objectives and techniques for achieving them, "Zen in the Art of Archery" is a superb selection. It is not some silly, Anthony Robbins-esque promise-filled cookbook of personal growth. It is merely an introduction to a very old way of looking at ourselves and our performance at endeavors which call upon something more than conscious thought.

When you stop to consider the plethora of self-help garbage and personal growth tripe that springs out of Oprah and her idiot guru buddies, gems like this one come as a refreshing reminder that there still are some books worth reading for those of us who are inquisitive enough to pursue them.

Rating:
Summary: It never ceases to amaze me
Review: Somebody writes a book making certain claims and assertions about the subject matter. In this case, Zen and Kyudo. Why should this man's opinion be accepted on face value? What are his qualifications to hold a meaningful opinion? Why would you simply accept his claims without investigating to verify or refute them? There is a certain argument for Zen to be made in the art of scepticism. Do you want to believe things that simply are not true? What is an understanding that is based upon falsehoods? Is it misunderstanding? Does misunderstanding deserve a rating of 5 stars? Do falsehoolds make a classic? Do not believe everything you read--unless you want to be a victim all your life. Take charge of your convictions. Be sceptical. Do a little research. Its important.

Rating:
Summary: Readable as either a personal account or initiation into Zen
Review: The author set out to "master Zen", and ended up simply mastering himself. This book has become famous all over, not simply as a "tale to enlightenment", but as a narrative of a man looking to conquor the "mysterious East" and find himself only faced with... himself.

This is a wonderful book for those interested in understanding Zen or Japanese archery, but is equally readable as a record of personal discovery (although for those unfamiliar with Zen philosophy what is "personal" and what is not may be difficult to detect).

Rating:
Summary: Insightful and Inspiring
Review: The last chapter on Zen and Swordsmanship is specially enlightening.

Rating:
Summary: The Best book on Zen ever written.
Review: The most prolific book one could read to illume the mysticism of zen. The author clearly explains from a western perspective. This allows the reader to clearly understand what mystics have been trying to explain for centuries. Read the book and then listen to it on Tape as Ralph Blum is outstanding in reading the book for audio renniesance. My only complaint is that it is abridged but not by much...

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Summary: Zen as it is in doing
Review: The task Professor Herrigel set himself was to experience true Zen, he did this without realising that abandonment of self was a primary objective. In other words the pratice or the decision to undertake anything very much is a step into the unknown even when the person involved never considers the possibility of his very self undergoing radical change, somehow one believes "I" will always remain afterwards. Little by little Herrigel underwent powerful changes in his Zen experience which literally must be undertaken in an authentic way ie by the sort of practice having no limits or bounds, a wholehearted approach somewhat alien to most westerners. The book is an honest and clear account of his experience in japan and is somehwat akin to that of Jan Whilhelm van de Wetering in "The Empty Mirror", humourous experiences such as when the master wishes to find out more about what he does and in this way try to understand why the practice of archery is so difficult for him : exclaiming after he reads a philosophy book that "no wonder you have so much difficulty", adds to the humanity of the story. Although a small book it is rich in personal experience and a treasure of a book which can be read again and again to revitalise one's own practice. It is also far more readable than his other books which are full of difficult philosophical concepts and lack the depth of humanity shown in this one. The book stresses what must be said again and again, Zen is about doing rather than knowing (in the conventional sense) and Herrigel realises that only in the practice of Zen rather than just reading about it can it be truly "known". He also demonstrates the great challenges to be faced in this practice especially as regards the conflicts which arise between the "artless art", Zen, which is free of thought and that of his profession which is never free of the constricting domain of thought. A superb book which never fails to inspire.

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Summary: One of the best books on Zen
Review: There are hundreds of books on Zen, almost all of them attempting to intellectualize Zen. Alas, Zen is fundamentally different in that it detests intellectualization and demands that its followers experience the spirit of Zen first hand, however hard that may be. In this little big book, Herrigel summarizes his learning of Zen through the practise of archery. Each time I read it, it gives me new insights into how one can experience Zen in everyday life. I recommend it whole-heartedly to those who are bitten by the Zen bug.

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Summary: Living Zen
Review: This book is a narrative about a Zen experience. It does not delve into philosophical discussions. And that is exactly why it is so deep. No truly Zen master teaches the western way, in classrooms. Instead, it is necessary to have a living experience and "feel" it, since it can't be explained in words. That's what this book is about. A real living experience of the ubiquitous presence of Zen.

Rating:
Summary: A great book to start learning about Zen
Review: This is a book to everyone who wants to learn the real essence of Zen.The author shares with us the great legacy he got from his archery teacher while living in Japan.If you want to start learning about Zen, this is the book to begin with.

Rating:
Summary: Inspired and inspiring
Review: This is an unpretentious,no-nonsense narrative about the author's initiation into the art of archery and, ultimately, into the concept of Zen Buddhism. It speaks in plain language and tries to avoid mystical jargon. Ironically, it is also a story of self-perfection - ironically because Zen Buddhism teaches the abandonment of the idea of a "self".

There are many ways one may go from this book: One of the main themes of Zen in the Art of Archery is "art becoming artless", which is also at the core of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's bestselling study of creativity in "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience".

Someone who is interested in the spiritual qualities that (sometimes) come with the practice of martial arts might like to read "Iron and Silk" by Mark Salzman - don't expect anything holy or warrior-like, though.

Zen-Buddhism is covered in countless books. One of my favorites is Alan Watts's "The Spirit of Zen". A rather unorthodox, funny, skeptic and disrespectful look at Zen Buddhism can be gained from Janwillem van de Wetering's trilogy "The Empty Mirror" (my favorite of the three), "A Glimpse of Nothingness", and "Afterzen".