WAY OF THE BOW; SPIRITUAL FORGING

John Stevens, Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, The Archery Master from Zen in the Art of Archery (Boston & London: Shambhala, 2007) ("Here is an outline of the principles of Kenzo's Great Shooting Way Teaching: Trust in the practice of the Way of the Bow. / Archery is not an art, it is a Way. / When you practice the Way, it is not just training in technique; it is spiritual forging. / Forging your spirit is to become empty, and to focus on your center. / To become empty is to become one with the divine--this is the Way. / To attain the Way is to manifest the Way. / The Way of the Bow is to manifest your self Buddha-nature and arrive at the ultimate." Id. at 13. I am trying or seeking to do with my yoga practice what Kenzo asserts the aim of archery: it is not the training in technique so much than as the forging of the spirit, the forging of my spirit.).