Michael Cleary Your Form Form is often treated as a set of positions to master. Feet placed a certain way, shoulders aligned, anchor fixed. While that approach is useful for building consistency, it only touches the surface o... Skandhas Zen in Archery Apr 24, 2026
Michael Cleary Ikkyu’s Tree. Archer’s Arrow There is a story of Ikkyū Sōjun who presented a crooked tree and offered a simple challenge. Anyone who could see the tree as straight would be rewarded. People gathered around it and tried to underst... Zen in Archery Apr 17, 2026
Michael Cleary Joy in Practice Joy is often misunderstood in archery. Many believe it comes from a perfect score, a tight group, or a personal best. While those moments can bring satisfaction, they are not the source of true joy. T... Four Immeasurables Zen in Archery Apr 10, 2026
Michael Cleary Compassion Between Arrows Compassion in archery begins with honesty. Not the harsh kind that criticizes every missed shot, but the kind that sees clearly without turning away. It is the willingness to meet each arrow exactly a... Four Immeasurables Zen in Archery Apr 6, 2026
Michael Cleary Kindness on the Line Kindness is the quiet discipline of meeting your practice with goodwill. It is not softness or lack of standards. It is the ability to remain steady, honest, and constructive in how you relate to your... Four Immeasurables Zen in Archery Mar 27, 2026
Michael Cleary Equanimity Through Archery Equanimity is this moment. There is a moment in every shot where nothing extra can be added. The stance is set, the bow is raised, the string is drawn, and the aim settles into stillness. In that mome... Four Immeasurables Zen in Archery Mar 21, 2026
Michael Cleary The Five Aggregates at Full Draw Archery offers more than a test of skill. It reveals the structure of human experience. Every arrow carries within it five interrelated aspects often described as the aggregates: form, sensation, perc... Skandhas Zen in Archery Mar 6, 2026
Michael Cleary Zen Mind. Archer's Mind There is a teaching from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind that has profound relevance for archery. In it, Shunryu Suzuki writes that in the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, while in the expert’s... Zen in Archery Feb 27, 2026
Michael Cleary Right Concentration Right Concentration in archery is the ability to gather the mind into a single, steady point and remain there without strain. It is not forceful focus or trying harder. It is calm attention that stays... Eightfold Path Feb 20, 2026
Michael Cleary Right Mindfulness Right Mindfulness in archery is the practice of being fully present with each part of the shot, without distraction, judgment, or rushing the outcome. It is not about clearing the mind completely, but... Eightfold Path Feb 13, 2026
Michael Cleary Right Effort Right Effort is the steady work that keeps an archer on the path of growth. It is the energy that moves the practice forward without forcing it. It is the willingness to show up, to learn, to improve,... Eightfold Path Feb 6, 2026
Michael Cleary Right Livelihood Right Livelihood in archery is the practice of choosing a path that supports personal growth, integrity, and the well being of others. It means that the way you participate in the archery world reflec... Eightfold Path Jan 30, 2026