Monkey mind versus monks mind!

Deeply considered and wise words from amiable and likable compound archer Anto Corcoran

Edited by Andrew Wayland

I have heard it said that archery is a very white belt sport. ( white belt mentality is simply remaining open to a lifetime of learning).

‘Monkey mind’ appears to know everything already, it is that constant ,distracting voice that takes over. ‘Monk mind’ knows that we should always be open to new thoughts and ideas.

Going about my everyday life ,archery is ever present at the forefront of my mind, yet i find when i’m at the shooting line at full draw, all my ‘Monkey mind’ thoughts are suddenly present. 

So how do we get from the noise of monkey mind to the quiet calm and focus of ‘Monk mind” to achieve the goal we have set ourselves? 

Even though our aim in archery (pun intended) is to repeat the same shot everytime, this may not always be possible.

By letting go of the idea that each time needs to be exactly the same, understanding that there will always be subtle nuances to each shot,- will help to quiet the ‘Monkey mind’. 

  When i’m training i try to keep things simple. I repeat to myself that both the target shape and distance

are always the same. I can knock only one arrow at a time and my bow is tuned, these are the things that i am sure of so i can now forget about them and just focus on the rhythm of my shot. The one big variable in the mix here is the venue. 

I tend to look at the venue and all its distractions as a real live ‘Monkey mind’. I envision each interaction ,big or small,as a ‘Monkey mind’ thought. When we lend time to the wrong thoughts we can sully our chances of achieving our goal. instead, I try filter my thoughts. Just like my daily internal dialogue, I choose the thoughts i need to engage with in order to remain present in the moment. I am mindful not to offer tea to the wrong thoughts. Attention, Attention, Attention!

Kinesthetics (movement) will play a huge role in the mechanics of your timing and rhythm. Taking control over your monkey mind is

crucial in allowing your body to do what it needs to, when I try to aim my bow , ’Monkey mind’ sees the pin is in and out of the X ring.,’Monkey mind’ starts screaming take control, take control, control, take control, hold it still!”

Let the ‘Monkey mind” come and go, he will always be there just remember not to offer him tea!!

crucial in allowing your body to do what it needs to, when I try to aim my bow , ’Monkey mind’ sees the pin is in and out of the X ring.,’Monkey mind’ starts screaming take control, take control, control, take control, hold it still!”

Let the ‘Monkey mind” come and go, he will always be there just remember not to offer him tea!!

‘Monkey mind’ is easily distracted….

Counting works well for this, allowing some acceptance to take place.

In Zen there is a commonly used practice called Wu Wei which is the art of effortless effort.

I’m looking for each arrow shot to have movement with thoughtless, effortless flow ,simply doing! Your Timing ,be it fast or slow – is yours and yours alone. It is what you have trained, this is the rhythm of your archery, this is ‘Monk mind’, it is good for your overall outcome. This mindset ‘Monk mind’ holds is own when the pressure is on.

Remember, the target shape, size and distance remain the same. You have put the time in behind the string, so just breath and the arrow will go where it needs to…