Stillness precedes action from "summary" of Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel
In the practice of archery, the archer must first achieve a state of complete stillness. This stillness is not merely the absence of physical movement, but a mental and spiritual quietness that precedes the action of shooting the arrow. The archer must learn to let go of all distractions and quiet the mind, allowing the body to move in harmony with the target. Only in this state of stillness can the archer truly connect with the target and achieve a perfect shot. The arrow must be released effortlessly, without hesitation or doubt. This requires a deep level of trust in one's abilities and a surrendering to the moment. The archer must be fully present, fully focused, and f...
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