Using Zen in Archery: How to Achieve Mindfulness and Harmony with the Bow

Archery is a multi-faceted activity that combines physical skill, mental focus, and artistic expression. But did you know that archery can also be a way of meditating?

Many archers use concepts from Zen – the ancient philosophy that teaches how to live in harmony with oneself and the world to improve their overall enjoyment, marksmanship and focus in archery.

In this post, we will briefly touch on the concepts of Zen, moving meditation and mindfulness and how they can be applied to archery. I will also compare and contrast Western archery with Kyudo (the traditional Japanese art of archery, and what most archers immediately think of as “Zen Archery”), and show you how you can incorporate the meditative aspects of kyudo into your own shooting practice without getting bogged down with the traditional formalities of Kyudo.

What is Zen?

Zen is a way of thinking and being. That is all.

It is not a religion. It has no dogma to follow, no doctrine to adhere to. You cannot “convert to zen”.

Zen is purely a way of thinking to experience direct reality, achieve internal balance and avoid duality to live without conflicting thoughts. All these concepts are extremely useful in archery.

I have studied Zen for approximately 17 years, and have found it immensely helpful. If you met me, I would not strike you as someone who was even slightly “mystical”, a hippy, or into any “woo-woo” stuff, as my sister calls such things. But inside, I strive for serenity and balance which I often use Zen concepts to tap into.

Zen emphasizes the direct experience of enlightenment through meditation, rather than relying on scriptures or rituals. Zen practitioners seek to attain a state of mind that is free from attachment, discrimination, and dualism, and that is in tune with the true nature of reality. Mind and body in harmony is the ultimate goal.

Although zen concepts came from a branch of Buddhism that originated in China and later spread to Japan, Korea, and other parts of Asia, it is not a religion in itself. All religions (or atheists) can practice zen concepts and gain benefits in their archery and every part of their life.

I find these concepts very helpful to improve my enjoyment and results in archery. In the same way 1 coin has 2 sides, I find archery very helpful in attaining a Zen frame of mind. Archery and zen complemant each other beautifully and both work to make the other stronger.

How can Zen be used in archery?

One of the main methods of Zen meditation is zazen, which literally means “sitting meditation”. Zazen involves sitting in a comfortable posture, usually on a cushion or a mat, and focusing on one’s breathing or a simple word or phrase repeated called a koan. The purpose of zazen is not to achieve a trance or a blissful state, but to cultivate awareness and clarity of mind. This is what most people think of when they hear the word “meditation”.

Another method of Zen meditation is kinhin, which means “walking meditation”. Kinhin involves walking slowly and mindfully, usually in a circle or a straight line, while maintaining one’s posture and breathing. Kinhin helps to balance the stillness of zazen with the movement of the body.

Zen also uses various forms of art and culture as means of expressing and transmitting its teachings. These include calligraphy, painting, poetry, gardening, tea ceremony, martial arts, and…. archery. These activities are not considered as hobbies or entertainment, but as ways of practicing Zen in everyday life.

Moving meditation takes the core concepts and applies it to any activity. Have you ever got so lost in creating art or music that time seems to have warped and suddenly you come back into awareness of the world having created something without having been fully aware of all your thought processes? You were unconciously tapping into meditative thought process, or thinking without thinking.

You can use archery as a way of practicing moving meditation, and so use moving meditation as a way to improve your archery.

“No mind” thinking is often the most powerful thinking. When shooting your bow, the aim is to not overthink the release. When your shot is natural and not contrived, it is a better shot. Tapping in to zen concepts of no-mind thinking can improve your shot.

Archery is one of the most suitable sports for practicing Zen, because it requires both physical and mental discipline, as well as aesthetic appreciation. Archery can be seen as a form of moving meditation, where the archer becomes one with the bow and the arrow, and aims at the target with complete concentration and detachment.

I have found my archery experience to be much more relaxing since I integrated zen practice. My day job is very technical (I’m a music mixer and mastering engineer) and I stare at a computer lots. If it all gets too much I go and take a few shots, and use moving meditation which refreshes me and I feel revitalised. Inevitably the rest of my work is much smoother.

The difference between Kyudo and Western archery

The most famous example of Zen archery is kyudo, which means “the way of the bow” in Japanese. Kyudo is not only a sport or a martial art, but also a spiritual practice that follows the principles of Zen. Kyudo archers wear traditional robes called hakama and kimono, and use long asymmetrical bows called yumi that are taller than themselves. Kyudo archers shoot at targets that are 28 meters away, following a precise sequence of movements called shaho hassetsu (the eight stages of shooting). Kyudo archers do not aim at hitting the target in the same was as Western archers, but at achieving shin-zen-bi (truth-goodness-beauty), which means expressing one’s true self through shooting with good spirit and beautiful form. The act of shooting is more important than getting the bullseye.

Kyudo is different from western archery in many ways. Western archery is more practical and competitive, as it developed from hunting and warfare. Western archers wear protective gear such as gloves and arm guards, and use shorter and stronger bows that can shoot farther and faster. Western archers aim at hitting the center of the target, which is usually 18 to 90 meters away, depending on the type of competition. Western archers score points based on how close their arrows are to the center.

However, this does not mean that western archers cannot practice Zen in their shooting. In fact, many western archers have been inspired by kyudo and have adopted some of its elements into their own style. For example, some western archers use longer bows that are more similar to yumi, or shoot at longer distances that require more focus and skill. Some western archers also practice meditation before or after shooting, or follow a ritualized routine that helps them calm their mind and body during a shot.

Using these concepts

Here are some tips on how you can use Zen in your western archery practice:

• Choose a bow that suits your personality and preference. It does not matter if it is a recurve bow, a compound bow, or a longbow. What matters is that you feel comfortable and confident with it. Personally I feel the less complex your bow is, the less distracted you will be when shooting it. I prefer the barebow style with no sights, release aids or anything complex. Just me and my stick of wood. But there is no “wrong” preference here.
• Find a quiet and peaceful place to shoot. It can be an indoor or outdoor range, or even your own backyard. Make sure that there are no distractions or interruptions that can disturb your concentration.
• Before shooting, take some time to relax your mind and body. You can do some stretching exercises, breathing exercises, or zazen meditation. You can also recite a mantra or a koan that helps you focus.
• When shooting, pay attention to every detail of your form and technique. Follow the steps of drawing, aiming, releasing, and following through with care and precision. Do not rush or force your shots, but let them flow naturally.
• Feel the texture of the ground beneath your feet. Feel the breeze on your face. Feel the string press into your fingers. Feel the temperature of the arrow. Feel the sun on your body. Feel the pull in your shoulders as you take aim. Feel the connection you have with everything around you in that moment. Feel the connection to the arrow, the bow and the target. You are the arrow, you are the bow, you are the target. Feel it.
• After shooting, reflect on your performance and experience. Do not judge yourself by the results, but by the process. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your achievements. Be grateful for the opportunity to practice archery and Zen.

Exploring the Intersection of Meditation and Marksmanship

When you are getting ready to take your shot, take a breath and feel the air entering your lungs. Feel it exhaling. You are not breathing “in & out” as this implies that you are separate from the air, and that you are opening and closing a door for it to enter you. This is wrong. You are the air and the air is you. There is no door.

Since we are all made of the same elements, we share a lot of ourselves with the air, the mud, the rocks, the trees, the birds, the flowers, our bow, our arrows, our target… everything.

So in some ways we are connected to the bow, connected to the arrow, connected to the air, and connected to the target with our physical form, even when we are not touching them.

Think how easy it is to touch the end of your nose with your finger. It’s easy because you are your nose, you are your finger. There is no separation between them.

So – in the same way that we are our finger and we are our nose…

We are the bow. We are the arrow. We are the target.

When we release the arrow towards the target, we guide it as simply and precisely as touching the tip of our nose with our finger. We see where we want it to land, and so it will.

Conclusion

Archery is a wonderful sport that can enrich your life in many ways. By using Zen in your archery practice, you can not only improve your skills and performance, but also enhance your mental and spiritual well-being. Archery can help you develop mindfulness, concentration, calmness, confidence, and harmony with yourself and the world.

Please note that this is not an instant cheat code to improve your shot. Please do not dismiss it if you don’t immediately get bullseyes every time after trying it. It is an ongoing process. Over time you will feel more connected to the process of archery, feel more affinity with your surroundings while shooting, and feel less stressed with the details of archery, because you will be at one with the process not only chasing results.

Using zen in archery is a way of improving your entire archery experience, not just your score!

You know those shots which feel perfect? You didn’t over-think it and it just worked? Using zen will increase the number of these magic-feeling shots for you.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something new about archery and Zen. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for reading and happy shooting!

Further reading

Kyudo: Japanese Art of Archery https://amzn.to/3rvPdEF

Zen in the Art of Archery: Training the Mind and Body to Become One https://amzn.to/3RF5Bx4

Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, the Archery Master from Zen in the Art of Archery https://amzn.to/3Q07D9K

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