Eugen Herrigel

Don't think of what you have to do, don't consider how to carry it out!" he exclaimed. "The shot will only go smoothly when it takes the archer himself by surprose. ↗

— Eugen Herrigel

#porup #writing #zen #art

This, then, is what counts: a lightning reaction which has no further need of conscious observation. In this respect at least the pupil makes himself independent of all conscious purpose. ↗

— Eugen Herrigel

#art #porup #swordsmanship #writing #zen

Assuming that his talent can survive the increasing strain, there is one scarcely avoidable danger that lies ahead of the pupil on his road to mastery. ↗

— Eugen Herrigel

#ahead #assuming #danger #his #increasing

Far from wishing to awaken the artist in the pupil prematurely, the teacher considers it his first task to make him a skilled artisan with sovereign control of his craft. ↗

— Eugen Herrigel

#artist #awaken #considers #control #craft

He grows daily more capable of following any inspiration without technical effort, and also of letting inspiration come to him through meticulous observation. ↗

— Eugen Herrigel

#any #capable #come #daily #effort

The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will succeed in the one and the further the other will recede. ↗

— Eugen Herrigel

#further #goal #hitting #how #learn