The archer's ego dissolves in the act of shooting from "summary" of Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel
When the archer shoots, he does not just release the arrow; he releases himself. His whole being is involved in the shot. He becomes one with the target, the bow, and the arrow. There is no separation between the archer and the act of shooting. In that moment, there is no room for the ego to assert itself. The archer is in a state of pure concentration, free from distractions and doubts. The archer's ego dissolves because he is no longer thinking about himself or his abilities. He is completely absorbed in the present moment, letting go of all desires and fears. The focus is solely on the task at hand, without any attachment to the outcome. The archer does not worry about hitting the target or missing it; he is simply shooting. In this state of egolessness, the archer experiences a sense of effortless action. There is no struggle or striving; everything flows naturally. The bowstring is pulled back, the ar...
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