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Product Description
Product Description
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.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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First Sentence
AT FIRST sight it must seem intolerably degrading for Zen-however the reader may understand this word-to be associated with anything so mundane as archery. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
AT FIRST sight it must seem intolerably degrading for Zen-however the reader may understand this word-to be associated with anything so mundane as archery. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Whether you are interested in exploring Zen as a discipline or driven by curiosity, this short book is definitely worth a read. Eugen Herrigel's journey through the apprenticeship of archery in Japan - years of hard - and often frustrating - practice, learning to "let go" and achieving absolute focus on the task by eliminating all "distracting" self-centered concerns - are at the same time inspiring by the huge potential it suggests we all bear in ourselves and demystifying thanks to Herrigel's sober account of his experience. The prior reviewer says it right: quite appropriately given its theme, the beauty of this book lies in is simplicity. This is very welcome for what is an often misused and mis-understood topic.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The previous reviews sum it up pretty well - I have been interested in buddism for some time, however not read much about zen itself. This is a beautiful, inspiring book which makes the reader want to book their ticket to Japan right now, and find the Master. What a contrast to western ways of thinking this provides - a true insight into the eastern mindset, and into the nature of zen itself. I have been inspired to take out several books on zen from the library as a consequence.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
By describing the long years he spent learning archery in Japan Herrigel gives an insight into Zen directly, without concepts or gross over explaining of something which is beyhond explanation. A great book if you have heard the word Zen and want to know what it "aims" at. An ideal introduction to Zen literature. One other reviewer said it just seemed to be book about learning to use a bow rather than enlightenment. Exactly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An accessible Zen classic
This book is a very accessible Zen classic, which I highly recommend to anyone curious about the journey that is Zen. Read more
Published 4 months ago by LLucan
A classic but dull?
I realise this is a classic but unfortunately it was dull and did very little for me...
I would recommend Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, the... Read more
I would recommend Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, the... Read more
Published 14 months ago by FLF
Zen In The Art Of Archery.
Eugene Herrigel (1884-1955), studied Japanese archery (Kyujutsu-kyodo), in Japan during his time as a professor between 1924-1929. Read more
Published 19 months ago by ShiDaDao Ph.D
Good curiosity value
As a seeker and an archer I had high hopes of this book. Sadly it fails to deliver on both counts but it is a highly entertaining read and maybe has something to offer for those... Read more
Published 19 months ago by DJ
Approach, cautiously, Zen.
I am deeply skeptical of the veracity of Eugen's story. There are problems with the timescales involved... Read more
Published 21 months ago by I. Melvin
Title describes contents well
It helps to have an understanding of Zen and the seemingly idiosyncratic ideas put forward, but as an introduction to Zen as experienced through Archery it is superb. Read more
Published on 30 April 2010 by Mr. F. Reid
a classic
First published in 1953 this classic still is fresh and full of profound insights today. Earnestly wishing to understand Zen Herrigel with great difficulty manages to get accepted... Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2009 by inch worm
Zen as it is in doing
The task Professor Herrigel set himself was to experience true Zen, he did this without realising that abandonment of self was a primary objective. Read more
Published on 21 April 2007 by Frank Bierbrauer
wonderful little book
This is a personal account of the process of learning subtle skills. The author sets out with great honesty the difficulties he encountered and the time and persistence needed to... Read more
Published on 26 Dec 2006 by Jacqui O
comfortably numb
I am only 15, this book has really helped me understand, if only a small aspect, but still a very important one of life.
Read this book first before any other zen books.
Read this book first before any other zen books.
Published on 19 April 2006 by G. N. Piette
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