Everyday Systems: shovelglove: message 213 of 649

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"Zen in the Art of Archery", by German Philosopher Eugen
Herrigel.. I'll try to find a copy.

By the way, I'm doing more shovelgloving than tire-striking lately - 
mostly because it's been raining so I moved to the basement. I'm 
finding that my shoulder is feeling better (it doesn't hurt during 
the day, although my range of motion still bites). I think I'm 
probably strengthening my weak rotator cuff muscles. If I could just 
get the range of motion back, I'd be all set. Still, less pain and 
more strength is better. One should be grateful.

--- In , "gratefuldeb67" 
<deborahfederlmt@h...> wrote:
> --- In , "T. Kevin Blanc" 
> <t.k.blanc@a...> wrote:
> > Gotta admit, the only Zen book I've ever read is the one about
> > motorcycle maintenance. And, clearly, that doesn't count. I'm 

sure 
> I misused the word. My bad.
> 
> Hey Kevin, it ain't no biggie, props to you for using the word at 

> all! Most people use the term having only a vague guess of what it 

> means...In a really oversimplified nutshell, Zen consciousness is 

> that spiritual state of true equanimaty. Not really trying to 
> achieve something, just letting the process unfold, being at one 
> with your task at hand. My best moments when I am doing a massage 

> are these isolated moments when I am not "doing" it, but rather 

> being so much in the moment that rather I am allowing the process 

to 
> unfold, and not trying to impose myself or my will...I am letting 

> the famous "force" of Star Wars fame, to flow through me.
> The classic Japanese example, in archery, is to wonder whether the 

> archer is shooting the target or is it the target hitting the 
archer?
> The Pirsig book is a real fave of mine too, and does count, in some 

> way as well...The main character's "maintenence" of all the little 

> tuneups and repairs of his motorcycle, being such an extension of 

> himself, is pretty Zen actually. Whatever you do in life can 
become 
> a Zen experience, even mundane things, especially, such as digging 

a 
> hole, doing the dishes, what have you. But the Japanese have 
> cultivated ways of actually achieving this through the ritualized 

> practice of certain arts, practice to the point where stuff 
> just "happens", without trying, totally automatically, and it is no 

> longer possible to distinguish between the shot, the target, and 
the 
> archer...*Trust* me, the book is much better than anything I could 

> say on the topic. What is most interesting is to see how the author 

> had to wrestle with letting go of so many Western preconceptions 
and 
> un-do alot of stuff which was interfering with his real mastery, 
> mainly his ego and his will...It was not easy for him to do and he 

> narrates his journey through all of his "successes" and 
"failures" 
> So go to the source, it's required reading :) I believe that you 
> will enjoy it :)
> 
> Thanks for the tire info...I will let you know if I start doing it!
> 
> Again on Zen, there is a great quote from one of my favorite 
movies, 
> Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. It's the scene where the protagonist 

> sword master, after years of studying meditation and martial arts, 

> says during a fight sequence in which he is clearly in complete 
> control:
> "Real Sharpness comes without effort" 
> Not to make too much of a stretch, but even our SG and Diet efforts 

> made on a daily basis could be considered to be a very ritualized 

> practice as well, eventually becoming largely unconscious in the 
end.
> 
> Chop wood, carry water, grasshopper" :)
> Peace,
> Deb