http://www.lifehack.org/383170/zanshin-learning-the-art-attention-and-focus-from-legendary-samurai-archer
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
I'm not Zen.
I'm not Zen. My inner peace is a chaotic flurry of worries, impatience, and stress. That said, I see the value in focus, and martial arts are one avenue to achieving improving one's focus.
http://www.lifehack.org/383170/zanshin-learning-the-art-attention-and-focus-from-legendary-samurai-archer
http://www.lifehack.org/383170/zanshin-learning-the-art-attention-and-focus-from-legendary-samurai-archer
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Thank you, Lego, for letting me simply tell you online which parts were missing from the boy's Christmas present and sending them to me,...
Also, there's the joy of hurting people. Underrated!
ReplyDeleteArtist Katie Cook expressed a similar sentiment when she said that, 'if you're drawing now the same way you did a year ago, you're stuck in a rut and you're not growing.'
ReplyDeleteChef Fernand Point is famous for saying that success is 'a lot of little things, done correctly.'
And, in the Last Samurai, this is the criticism levelled against Tom Cruise's character. "Too many mind. Mind the sword. Mind your enemy. Mind the people watching. Too many mind. You need to be no mind."
Bob Lai Zen is an effective way to make someone kill without remorse.
ReplyDeleteI disagree. It doesn't really track with the criteria that psychologist Lt. Col. Dave Grossman sets forth in his book, On Killing
ReplyDeleteYou need:
1. The stamp of authority.
2. Acceptance/absolution of peer group.
3. Depersonalization of the target.
4. Existing inclination towards violence.
Bob Lai "I am the arrow, not the hand that holds the bow."
ReplyDeleteI'd say that fits (3).
I have shot archery, taken fencing, am a recreational shooter ... but I'm not some Walter Mitty fantasy addled gun nut. Archery is a skill.
ReplyDeleteEven the Japanese language distinguishes this between the -do (art) and -jutsu (combat) forms. Kyudo vs. kyujutsu. Akido vs. akijutsu.
Bob Lai My comment was about Zen, not archery in general.
ReplyDeleteAnd I find the concept of zen expresses itself in things other than killing/weapon use, as cited by the quotes from Ms. Cook and Chef Point.
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't have any experiences with martial arts, I am pretty sure it is a great tool for self control, both physically and mentally.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of Zen/mindfulness/focus/however you want to say it transcends any particular skill or context. In fact, that's the point...the ability to eliminate all the distraction and ego and worry is what enables the person to perform at the highest level when needed. It is (partly) the antithesis of multitasking.
ReplyDeleteCraig Froehle - Yes, definitely! I was part of a research group once about mindfulness/focus. It was a really interesting experience.
ReplyDeleteRay of Sunshine He's on vacation. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSteve S Zen can be practiced in other ways. Martial Arts are not required.
ReplyDeleteRay of Sunshine I was also into archery as a youth (my dad was an archery instructor when he was in the Air Force). I don't see it as training to kill anything; rather, I see it as a more complicated version of darts.
ReplyDeleteThat's also why I don't begrudge people who like to go target shooting with guns. It's fun and a true skill. But, like anything, when you have something dangerous, you need to take responsibility for ensuring it's not going to hurt someone accidentally or be used by the wrong person.
Now, back on topic... (see how bad I am at focusing?? Yeesh!)