The lesson don't think, do. ( )

from cover

'In the case of archery, the hitter and the hit are no longer two opposing objects, but are one reality. The archer ceases to be conscious of himself as the one who is engaged in hitting the bull's-eye which confronts him. This state of unconsciousness is realized only when, completely empty and rid of the self, he becomes one with the perfecting of his technical skill, though there is in it something of a quite different order which cannot be attained by any progressive study of the art...

In this wonderful little book, Mr. Herrigel, a German philosopher who came to Japan and took up the practice of archery toward an understanding of Zen, gives an illuminating account of his own experience. Through this expression, the Western reader will find a more familiar manner of dealing with what very often must seem to be a strange and somewhat unapproachable Eastern experience.' --from the introduction by Daisetz T. Suzuki

Eugen Herrigel, a German professor who taught philosophy at the University of Tokyo between the wars, is one of the Westerners who has penetrated deeply and personally into the theory and practice of Zen Bhddhism. In endeavoring to become a Zen mystic, he subjected himself to the rigorous discipline of training with a Zen master for six years. Zen in the Art of Archery is the account of this experience. The Method of Zen by Eugen Herrigel is also available in Vintage Books.

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Honestly, I liked this better than the more famous "Zen In the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". Not to take anything away from that masterpiece, but this one is more my style. ( )

this is one of my favorite books of all time (thanks Mischa). for anyone who has ever toiled or practiced to get good at a sport or music or art, this book really helps you understand and appreciate what all the hard work is for.

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The path to achieving Zen (a balance between the body and the mind) is brilliantly explained by Professor Eugen Herrigel in this timeless account.

This book is the result of the author’s six year quest to learn archery in the hands of Japanese Zen masters. It is an honest account of one man’s journey to complete abandonment of ‘the self’ and the Western principles that we use to define ourselves. Professor Herrigel imparts knowledge from his experiences and guides the reader through physical and spiritual lessons in a clear and insightful way.

Mastering archery is not the key to achieving Zen, and this is not a practical guide to archery. It is more a guide to Zen principles and learning and perfect for practitioners and non-practitioners alike.