Zen in the Art of Archery as a Coaching Book

When I started High Power Rifle Competition back in 1989, I was a College Student, Majoring in Philosophy.

I had a book that I bought back in grade school, "Zen in the Martial Arts" by Joe Hyams. I read it, and some of the concepts translated well into my shooting practice.

That book referenced another: "Zen in the Art of Archery"

I bought the audio version and it became my coaching book for the 1st 3 years of High Power Competition.

Here's a complete copy online for those interested, and too cheap to buy the audio version:
http://www.ideologic.org/files/Eugen_Herrigel_-_Zen_in_the_Art_of_Archery.pdf


Later on I found out about Lanny Basham, the American Olympic Gold Medalist from the Montreal Games.



here's some shit about him:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-2012/9412387/The-gold-medal-coach.html

http://mentalmanagement.blogspot.com/2008/07/mental-management-student-take-miss.html


Lanny Made a lot of money coaching Athletes and Businessmen in Asia in the 80s.

Interesting to me was that quite a bit of what he said was almost identical to the concepts hit upon in ZEN in the art of Archery.

An American, Making money in Japan telling the Japanese something they already knew! Albeit from a slightly different perspective.


For those interested here are some free -

Lanny Basham Articles:


Mastering Mental Game Article:
http://www.targetshooting.ca/docs/Mastering_the_Mental_Game-Seminar_Notes.pdf


Reinforcement:
http://www.kslinternationalarchery.com/Sport Psychology/ReinforcementLB.pdf


http://www.dmagazine.com/publicatio...elps-you-think-your-way-to-a-better-golf-game

The mind is the one constant in all forms of action, hence the old quote from the book of five rings, "from one thing, know 10 thousand things"

If you happen to look at any of these articles, keep them in mind the next time you try to make a good shot, or whatever it is you're doing that strikes your fancy.

 

I read the "Zen of Martial Arts" too. I didn't think there were many others who found the book. I found it in a discount bin in second hand book shop.

You may be interested in Paulo Coehlo's "The Way of the Bow". Its short but very cool. I think you would like it.

 

Thanks for that.

Interesting, I just read it online.

It has the feel of a professional writer writing about something he studied academically, rather than from a deep rooted personal experience.

 

Good good stuff. Love the zen - maybe someday I'll catch it (knowingly).

Here's where I first learned about 'soft focus'. I've read the first half (the important half) many times - maybe one day it'll stick.

 

Is the Enos book Worth Buying?

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/words.html

Watching guys like Leatham and Enos is like watching Superfoot Wallace. They just make what they do look so fucking cool!








David Tubb had a book on Highpower Rifle, the mental part was all I read of it.

That guy could really focus in a match.


Had some Basham Vids I gave them to this guy:



http://blackforkblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/texas-state-rifle-association-highpower.html

He took them to heart a lot more than I ever did, and ended up winning the Texas State Highpower Championship like 5 times now.