Episode Three: zen Archery

Archery is still thriving around the world. 

I know it seems old-fashioned, and it is, but that’s what I love about it! In terms of weapons training, you really can’t get any older! We’ve been using the bow and arrow for a long time. The oldest arrowhead on record was found in Africa and dated back 60,000 years ago.

Archery was actually the first lesson I tried in Bali after quarantine eased a bit. Standing 6 ft apart and with only one other person was all that I felt safe enough to do. I found an outdoor archery club here (Bali International Archery) and Tebo, my instructor.

The club offered many types of archery, but I was particularly interested in ZEN ARCHERY.

I didn’t know it existed until my instructor Tebo mentioned it as a class I might consider. He’s really interested in the Japanese style of archery Kyudo, where zen archery comes from. 

“It doesn’t matter if you hit the target.” he repeatedly told me. It was a hard lesson to learn. Being competitive with myself comes naturally. Letting go of my focus on accuracy and precision while learning a skill I have always wanted to study and found its need for accuracy and precision to be good was difficult. 

It was the lesson I needed. 

Thank you, Tebo, for the beautiful lessons!

Watch the FULL EPISODE BELOW.