The Most Challenging Sport - Archery (III)

The Book of Archery states, "When shooting, one must correct oneself. Only after one is correct can one shoot. If one misses, one should not blame the one who beat him, but instead look within oneself." Success or failure in archery lies in properly adjusting one's posture and mindset. If one misses, one should not blame others, especially the one who hit the target. Instead, one should "look within oneself," reflect calmly, and identify the reasons. Only by cultivating a healthy competitive mindset and persevering through setbacks can one turn defeat into victory. In today's increasingly competitive world, advocating the competitive philosophy of "looking within oneself" and maintaining a calm attitude towards victory and defeat still holds positive significance.

The ancients believed that archery requires single-minded focus and the elimination of distractions in order to achieve coordinated movements, fully utilizing one's strength, technique, and equipment, and even achieving the effect of defeating the strong with the weak and the heavy with the light. It can be said that the emphasis on mental qualities in competitive activities and many other arts is a long-standing Chinese tradition.

The ancients said, "Shooting is a test of virtue. To achieve precision and stability in holding the bow and arrow, one must first have a righteous mind, followed by an upright body." "To be proficient in archery, one must also be proficient in a righteous mind, a sincere intention, and a focused spirit.

The benefits of cultivating qi are evident." "Focus your mind without distraction, and concentrate your spirit. Only then will you be able to hit the target. When you hit the target without distraction, you will experience the joy of effortless control." This is the ancient understanding of archery training. In archery training, our ancestors always prioritized mind and technique, placing the "mind" first as the foundation for successful shooting. Only with a righteous mind and an upright body, and a steadfast focus, can one "feel the joy of effortless control." In the crucial moments of competition, hitting the target with every arrow depends on the automation of movement. Automated technical movements must be free of impurities and must be extremely clean and precise. How can such skills be cultivated through daily practice?

Master archery (shooting with the heart) is different from ordinary shooting. Ordinary shooting is guided by the eyes, while master archery is guided by the mind. Master archery is achieved through effortless control, a skill beyond words. There's a seven-character poem in the "Book of Archery":

Weak strength is only suitable for a light bow, and the arrow should be short and as long as the arm.

A strong bow with weak power is difficult to release; a hard bow will injure. A weak bow is difficult to use.

Using the bow and arrow requires careful balance and effort, remembering the five equals and three leans.

Maintaining a calm mind is the true key, and the principles should be based on the eighteen essences.

To be able to do it effortlessly is truly miraculous, even piercing a louse or Yang Xin is not ashamed.

When shooting, one must maintain a state of mind that is "tranquil and inaction," achieving utter emptiness and tranquility, and single-mindedly maintaining a state of tranquility. Only in this state of mind can the cerebral cortex be in a state of optimal activation. This allows the athlete's various senses to be at their peak, and proprioception to be particularly sensitive.

Archery is a contest between the archer and himself. Because the physical workload of archery is primarily psychological, "overcoming oneself" is the highest psychological state for an archer. In modern archery, the competitors are the archer and himself. In this battle between the archer and himself, the essence of this art is revealed. Only those with noble character and a pure heart can hope to ascend to the pinnacle of archery.

You should become an unmoving center, for when the bow is fully drawn, "everything" is encompassed within it. Archers should possess a potential that lies within their will.