Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Zen in the Art of Archery

Top positive review

Thought provoking

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023

Read carefully. An older writing that requires attention to fully comprehend.
Archery is used only to describe the attainment of Zen. I was able to gain plenty of insight and improve my acting and improvisation performance.

One person found this helpful

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Critical reviews›

Jeff Lacy

I retain some of this

Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2023

Spiritual teaching and understanding that requires long, patient, rigorous learning. Now the Zen of trumpet playing. Repeating exercises, expanding range, performing the ritual to play correctly, mastering the craft, the art. Playing with a quiet mind, worrying no longer on the how, but letting go the intellect and playing from the heart, the soul, the mysterious muscle memory, performing without worry, without the critical voice interfering, finding the center in oneself.

3 people found this helpful

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From the United States

Suhao Duan

A confusing read, not sure if I learned anything

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2023

Verified Purchase

The language in this book is hard to understand. It is full of mystics and riddles. I know every word, but when they were put together by the author, it doesn’t make sense.
I don’t know if this was caused by translation since the original book was written in German. Or, the writer wrote it in this way on purpose to make people scratch their head.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Michelle A. Mahoney

I don't care if it's not "accurate"

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2011

Verified Purchase

I already knew before reading this book that it has been criticized for being an inaccurate representation of both Zen and Kyudo. So when I decided to take up archery (NOT Kyudo), I borrowed it from my local library just to see.

I am so glad I did. The honesty and beauty of the book, even with all of its "misunderstandings" are more important than a logical, "correct" version could ever be. I liked it so much that I read it in a day, then ordered it from Amazon. I have no desire to practice Zen nor to take up Kyudo. But there are lessons to be learned from both, and there is no reason I can't integrate some of them into my regular archery practice.

Standing alone in the field with bow in hand one must wonder whether the true addage is "I am the target; I am shooting myself," or "There is no target." Either way, let the arrow fly.

3 people found this helpful

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NKTT

Great book about importance of Zen to the western world.

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2021

Verified Purchase

The only thing I didn't like is putting swordsmenship part in the book. The first one I read in one breath, but after it I took few days to finish the book. It's weird, but overall it's a great book.

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SPB

Photography inspiration

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2021

Verified Purchase

I dug this book! I found a lot of the lessons, concepts and philosophy helpful to my own craft. It’s also short and easy to read. Enjoy.

One person found this helpful

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Happy as a puppy

Good content, bad translation

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

The idea and thought is wonderful - for anyone curious about beyond what it is immediately presented as daily life.
But the translation is horrible - for such a small book, the precise and succinct wording is of utter importance - the translation failed to do that and more.

The book in itself is worthy the while - you just have to bear through the layered and often erroneous text to get to the jewel.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Tom Hair

As an actor,storytelling creative,and intuitive artist, this book ,thorough its analogies, quotes, and discussions, served mostly as one more affirmation of the truth and irreplaceable value of discoveries and lessons learned in my own subjective life thus far. I call it a paraphrase of how skilled focus and the absence of ego can give rise to truthful doing and spiritually driven creativity.

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is a place to start for any spiritual journey. I recommend it to any artist. The author seems unremarkable.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Fascinating in Context

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is not actually an accurate description of Zen Buddhism as it applies (now and historically) to Zen Buddhism. But seen as the intellectual journey of a Western man as he surrounds himself with Japanese techniques and philosophy, it is still fascinating.

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Gary newton

read it again and again

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2013

Verified Purchase

this is the type of book that you can read again and again, there are a lot of lessons to be learned and experiences to join, I've had times in my life that I've faced obstacles that seemed insurmountable but this book takes what would seem like and easy task and breaks it down into the epiphanes that would apply to a "much more difficult problem"

One person found this helpful

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Janell Matas

A good read for target archers

Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2017

Verified Purchase

This book is very good for the target archer who has difficulty getting out of their head when shooting. While you will not learn how to shoot a bow, it will help with the state of mind when shooting.

One person found this helpful

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Louise A. Marasso, A.S.I.D.

Zen in archery - a great reminder to consider posture and fundamentals beyond just aiming ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2018

Verified Purchase

Zen in archery - a great reminder to consider posture and fundamentals beyond just aiming at a bullseye whatever it may be.
Louise A. Marasso

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