My experience with shooting on impulse

[9mmepiphany]

In the end, like the old wise samurai said, it is one with the arrow.
(One in Zen and Aikido) is the one point, a state of mind, very strong.

I might be reading this wrong...I couldn't find the book, do you have an author... but I think you missed the point.

I think the more correct statement would be that a person is one with the arrow and the person's state of mind should be no mind

If you understand this concept, you'd understand that seeing the gun's aligned sights on your target is that zen state of being one with your gun. You see the aligned sights without looking at them and the bullet is sent without conscious thought

 

[Frank Ettin]

...I couldn't find the book, do you have an author...

I think the more correct statement would be that a person is one with the arrow and the person's state of mind should be no mind...

I believe the book is Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel.

And while it's been a very long time since I read it, I believe you're correct about the statement.

...If you understand this concept, you'd understand that seeing the gun's aligned sights on your target is that zen state of being one with your gun. You see the aligned sights without looking at them and the bullet is sent without conscious thought.

Well put.

 

[1stmarine]

Yes well put.
I think that is the idea. You are aligned with good posture you most likely are sighted but do not have to even think about it. Even the actual form is secondary.
Still the one point is a state of mind where one is very strong. It is just below your belly button for those not familiar with Aikido.
So like in Kyudo (Aikido's archery) the mind is the arrow and they are Both the same.
These are all sound very philosophical approaches and yes they are but the applicability is totally effective with patience and openness. Even while skiing or any other thing I might want to
achieve in my life that normally requires balance and coordination and I can apply this state of mind and get better every year.
Samurais besides being excellent archers and warriors where also poets and philosophers that admired a beautiful form the arts and beauty. Also they will kill anyone in the spot for any minor offense.
I think that the concept of using the weapon as an extension of oneself is not new.
Samurais considered their sword and instrument of harmony, not simply a weapon.
Same concept with weapons training in aikido. Sorry if I am going to deep with this. Might not be the right approach that works for everyone.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Of course, in the words of another Marine (and one of my teachers): "Blessed are those who, in the face of death, focus on the front sight." --Jeff Cooper