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Zen in the Art of Archery (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,262 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This intriguing, influential work of literature—an outstanding way to experience Zen—is now available on cd It is almost impossible to understand Zen by studying it as you would other intellectual pursuits. The best way to understand Zen is, simply, to Zen. This is what author Eugen Herrigel allows us to do by sharing his own fascinating journey toward a comprehension of this illuminating philosophy. In Japan, an art such as archery is not practiced solely for utilitarian purposes such as learning to hit targets. Archery is also meant to train the mind and bring it into contact with the ultimate reality. If one really wishes to be master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an "artless art" growing out of the Unconsciousness. In this way, as the author simply, clearly demonstrates, archery becomes a path to greater understanding and enlightenment.
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"It seems to me that this little book needs to be dusted off every ten years. I've changed since the last time I read it, and my approach to its message and desire to re-know it is different too. Not for everyone, but for those on a journey it is a good guide. "
— Gabrielle (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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In this wonderful little book, Mr. Herrigel, a German philosopher who came to Japan and took up the practice of archery toward an understanding of Zen, gives an illuminating account of his own experience. Through his expression, the western reader will find a more familiar manner of dealing with what very often must seem to be a strange and somewhat unapproachable Eastern experience.
— D.T. Suzuki, author of Zen in Japanese Culture
Zen in the Art of Archery Listener Reviews
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" One of my all-time favorite books! A beautiful description of teaching in a true mentor-style. Written by a German philosopher, it is one of the more accessible (understandable) books on Eastern Zen. Packed with jewels of wisdom! "
— Amy, 2/11/2014 -
" An interesting look at the concept of Zen from a Westerner's point of view. Major flaw was that the first chapter is ultra philosophical and inaccessible to most readers. However, the remaining portion of the book has much to say about patience, trusting those with wisdom, and not always needing a firm black or white, concrete answer. "
— Chaffee, 1/31/2014 -
" Slainger's Glass family led me to Zen and I spent years hitting targets without trying. In our business, I quit making appointmentments and plans and started just running in to people. From this came a business policy of structured serendipity. "
— Anne, 1/27/2014 -
" Simpler, more direct, and a whole hell of a lot less pretentious than Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which of course was partially inspired by this. "
— Scott, 1/25/2014 -
" I imagine this book is way better than its much more popular successor, Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Please give this quick yet dense read some love! "
— Andrew, 1/22/2014 -
" This book changed my life and continues to provide fresh insights as I reflect on it. "
— Cruiseportatlas.com, 1/12/2014 -
" Interesting because 1)he's a nazi in Japan as Hitler rep and 2)he tries to cheat at being enlightened. "
— Alan, 1/11/2014 -
" Beautiful little book about a Westerner coming to grips with the meaning of Zen, which just happens to be through archery. "
— Mark, 1/9/2014 -
" Can't remember a lot about this one... time to read again! "
— Matt, 1/8/2014 -
" the only book on photography that's not about photography "
— Woody, 12/30/2013 -
" This is a great read. It is short and easy to understand. I love that it uses the something very straightforward, archery, to explain the idea of zen and what it feels like. "
— Olivia, 12/23/2013 -
" I am not thinking about this review--it's just being written! "
— John, 12/22/2013 -
" A perfect, perfect little book. "
— Douglas, 11/27/2013 -
" Master, artist, truth, art, man, life. "
— Agnese, 9/7/2013 -
" Start here . . . "
— Wesley, 1/29/2013 -
" A surprisingly easy introduction to the concept of zen and how it applies to archery, or indeed, any such endeavour. "
— Jac, 8/28/2012 -
" definitely a slow start, but i liked some of the ideas... "
— Jessica, 6/14/2012 -
" Really liked this book it introduced and showed me a different way of thinking in life. An introduction to zen through the writings of a journal by eugen herrigel. "
— Alec, 4/30/2012 -
" I've read this at least twice now and still turn to it often for a review. Truly a great book and wonderful food for thought. "
— Alex, 3/6/2012 -
" The mother of all Zen books. "
— Mary, 2/13/2012 -
" Definately good book about Zen. But since it's written by european philosopher i've expected it to be a little bit comprehensible. It's still really good and I advice it but you should know that the style of it's book is a quite similar to Dr. Sudzuki's works. "
— Eugene, 9/21/2011 -
" It may sound weird, but this book completely changed my thinking on acting. "
— Dan, 8/16/2011 -
" This is the relation of the personal experience of the author in learning archery as a medium to understand Zen.<br/><br/>It is interesting but the experience is too related to the exercises he needed to perform to be helpful for other people. "
— Robi, 4/26/2011 -
" Completely shifted my views and values...about everything. Especially how I approach projects that are time consuming or repetitive, and ones that aren't. <br/> <br/>Very densely written but perhaps one of the most insightful short books I've ever read. "
— MUEL, 4/2/2011 -
" Description of the kind of no-path toward enlightenment. "
— James, 2/19/2011 -
" Insghtful trip into the soul. Read too many years ago. "
— Caron, 12/7/2010 -
" Decisamente un ottimo libello per chi è interessato alla filosofia orientale. Irrinunciabile per chi si vuole avvicinare veramente alle arti marziali. "
— Luigi, 11/16/2010 -
" Must read for anyone interested in photography. "
— Michael, 11/8/2010 -
" I've read this at least twice now and still turn to it often for a review. Truly a great book and wonderful food for thought. "
— Alex, 10/16/2010 -
" "Be the ball, Danny. Just be the ball" <br/> <br/>It would be a lot easier to be the ball if you weren't talking so much. "
— Michael, 10/16/2010 -
" This is a great read. It is short and easy to understand. I love that it uses the something very straightforward, archery, to explain the idea of zen and what it feels like. "
— Olivia, 9/23/2010 -
" A very interesting and enlightening little book on the essence of the spiritual experience in Zen Buddhism. <br/>A German philosophy professor goes to Japan for six years and practises Zen through archery. The book is a summary of his experience. "
— Mag, 8/8/2010 -
" If your a golfer, tennis player, baseball player etc.. you will find direct correlation to a lot of the lessons in this book... but if you expand your mind even further.. you can relate it to everything... "
— Lyndsey, 7/19/2010 -
" Applicable to a wide variety of endeavors, notably poetry. "
— Randy, 5/21/2010