Embodiment in Everyday Life: Abnormal Results at Archery
By Frieda Bakker
Since the last two Shouds – where Adamus discussed the gravity we sense and frustration we sometimes encounter because of it – I wondered and contemplated about my own whereabouts, more than I did before. I know I am embodied and realized, so far so good. This doesn’t mean I have no dragon or gravity days, or no aspects. I still do and am still integrating. Looking back at myself like 5 years ago, or even a year ago, helps me realize how far I’ve come when feeling ‘heavy’ or down.
Yet, even though it’s nice to FEEL the difference when thinking about it, it’s even nicer to SEE the difference right in front of me. This is where my topic comes in, archery, for it shows me – in unexpected ways – how much I’ve changed! I wish to share this with you.
I started out back in the zeros and found out I’m a talented archer. I get it. It’s a combination of logic, physics, coordination, psychological and psychical abilities. I’ve always been good at sports. Archery was no different.
As I became better at it, the details became more important as well. Not just of the equipment and technique, but even more so of the mind. I ended up at the Nationals (second class) at one point, as an amateur, with my simple yet decent beginner’s bow. I learned there and then that, despite my sometimes stressful and nervous appearance, I’m able to perform beyond when needed. I also learned that the most expensive bow does not a winner make. And, I learned about the importance of the now moment.
Part I: The psychology down – at the Nationals
Some info for clarification. Back then the contest happened in two series. Each series contained 10 rounds of 3 arrows, 30 arrows total with a maximum score of 300, 10 per arrow.
During the first series I realized I was on a roll! My Personal Record (PR) before the Nationals was 267 points out of the maximum of 300. After round #9 I realized I could shatter it, right there and then. Plus – and even more important to me – I could break the psychological threshold of 270 points! All I needed was X number of points in the last round. Considering the way things were going, that was do-able.
This is where the mind kicked in: ‘If I shoot the exact same way I’ve done in the last nine rounds, I will not only shatter my PR, I will shoot the 270!’ And that’s where things went wrong. Rather than being in the moment doing what I needed to do, I was occupied with what I did before and what I should do next in order to get what I wanted. I went from the NOW to the PAST and FUTURE. Needless to say, I was short at 268. Still a PR, but not the oh so magical 270.
Disappointed? A little bit, yet also excited that things were going so well, at such an important tournament.
Next, series #2. Here we go! I continued to rock. It was sheer fun and there it was, round #10. Compared to the first series, I was behind one point prior to the last round of arrows. The 270 was still within reach, but only if I was able to finish stronger than before. Oh my…
Changing the game – letting go and thus in the NOW moment
This is where I changed tactics. I knew what went wrong the first series. I knew I had to let go. So instead of anxiously waiting and pondering about what I did and should do in order to get what I want, I walked away from it all, just for a brief moment. Another archer did her thing, which gave me the time I needed. As I walked around the hall I looked at the art on the walls. One tile stood out. Something was written on it. It was a Chinese proverb about winning. It was something like: “Those who want to win, win silver. Those who are able to let go of the end result, will get diamonds.”
I laughed. How appropriate in that moment! So, what the heck. I shot my best record already in the first series. I’m at the Nationals! And I wasn’t even with the original 12 selected candidates. Forget about the 270, I’m having fun! Let’s just finish that way too.
I went back to the line. It was my turn. I sighed and smiled within, relaxed and focused. I let go, and at the same time was doing what I needed to do.
Bam! There it was, 270! The threshold. I did it! Whaaaaaaa! And thus, yet another PR. I finished stronger than the entire two series combined. Wow! And with some added rounds in the finals, I ended up fourth on the Nationals. Happy as a clam.
This was back in 2010-2011 and I continued to do well with even better scores. Then I quit archery in 2012 because I moved to a different part of the country. I never sold my bow though. I just couldn’t, even though I went through some major downsizing episodes to the point of owning just a few boxes and a suitcase that brought me to the USA for five years. In between my travels I would pick up my bow every now and then, for maybe two months. Nothing more.
Part II: The Master comes in
Now fast forward. Since Covid I haven’t been traveling much. This opened up the possibility to start archery again and so I did. It had been four years since I picked up my bow and that was only for one of those brief moments of two months. Since Covid there had been lots of changes within as well, with the Summer of Realization and Heaven’s Cross as the biggest events in my life. Even though I got the psychological side of the sport down, I didn’t think this would make such a difference… how wrong one can be!
I started archery again last November, a little less than three months before this writing. Once a week, just a couple of arrows each time to build some stamina and muscles. Since my technique and my bow are still in pretty good shape, I was expecting to do reasonably well. Plus, I am a notorious, jealousy-causing come-back queen. But I’m also 45 now and it’s been a while, so no expectations.
As I trained, I noticed a difference. I already knew how much the mind can play games and tricks on the human, with tangible results on the scoring board, but as I trained, I noticed how easy and graceful it appeared, at least to me. Easier than, let’s say, 13 years ago during the Nationals and easier than the previous come-backs. Hmmmm, that’s weird, but okay. Nice surprise, right?
Abnormal differences
One month in, it started to show. One month in, after 4 years of no archery at all, bam, bam, bam. And not even BAM! Just ‘whoosh… plop. Bingo!’ And again – ‘whoosh… plop. Bingo!’ Uhm… what’s going on?!? I guess I’m having a very good day!
(FYI, the difference in my mind between a BAM! and ‘whoosh… plop. Bingo!’ is the energy behind it. BAM! is powerful and pushy. ‘Whoosh… plop’ just IS. A released arrow going where it has to go. Bingo!)
Next time around, same story! So, this wasn’t just about me having a good day, huh?
From my previous brief come-backs I know that after about a month in it actually goes down a bit. I was expecting that this time too. But no, things are only progressing and continue to do so. It’s going so well, it’s as if I never stopped and had even gotten better in the meantime. Co-archers from the club start to ask questions: “Have you’ve been practicing secretly?” Nope… I’m as amazed as they are. The term ‘abnormal’ was used and is indeed in place.
Last week I had my first club competition series, now 2.5 months in and with just a couple of rounds as a weekly practice. I was curious to see what this element of ‘competition’ in the mix would do. Would it affect me? If so, how? What would the score be? After 10 rounds I got my answer. I was able to write down… 274. Oh my god! The ease and grace. Like it’s nothing. I was baffled.
Sword down – drama free archery
This got me thinking. How come I’m able to come back stronger and better than ever before, in such a short amount of time and with so little practice? Why does it come so easy to me? Am I that good? Partly, yes, but this I felt is not the entire story. I sensed into it. I know archery in its basics is actually very simple. You just have to do the same thing over and over again. Always the same. Easy peasy. At least, for a … Master! Because the simplicity is what makes it hard for the human.
Why? As I mentioned before, the mind plays a huge part in the details with archery. A commonly recurring phenomena is ‘Wow, I did good! Let’s do it again so I will get the same results!’ followed by a crappy round. Exactly like I explained before. Instead of being in the now moment – focused, checking the technique, preparing the shot, and releasing – the mind can be occupied with how you did before and what end result you want. It takes away the focus and ability to sense and change small differences needed for that release.
Another common phenomenon for archers is the nervousness that kicks in when a round of arrows don’t land well, probably because of not paying attention for a brief moment. Archers then start to change settings on their bow, thinking they’re correcting their flaw. They start to double check their arrows or look for a cause in the surrounding area like chatting people, and getting annoyed by the distraction.
But the bow is still the same bow. It still requires a check-up of the same elements each shot. It’s the same distance to the target. It’s the same light, the same air and probably the same human body as a minute before. The only thing that’s changed is the state of mind. It went to drama mode, sword up, thinking it’s an outside force that’s messing with you. It’s not. It’s you.
In both instances, the occurring drama of the mind puts a cloud over the simplicity of the art. Adding gravity to the equation if you will, with less ease and grace as a result.
What a timely and appropriate metaphor for basically everything in life.
Tangible proof of masterly wisdom
It’s this where I feel things changed for me – majorly, post Realization and post Heaven’s Cross – and why archery is going so well right now. I have way less drama than before, if at all. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been much of a drama queen, but have definitely been a good over-thinker and over-analyzer (okay, that IS drama). As simple as this may sound (just a matter of less drama), oh the mind! It can play tricks on us without even realizing, presenting a subtle aspect-fest of wants, needs, future, past, insecurity, convictions, and so on.
But, for me, most of that is gone. Poof. Or easily redirected, released, and integrated in that very instant when it does come up. THIS is where my masterly wisdom and experience come in. THIS is what’s making the difference this time.
I am living with way more ease and grace. It’s in this beautiful sport called archery where I receive the unexpected tangible proof of that. Not that I needed the confirmation, I already knew, but it sure is fun to witness it in such a noticeable – and abnormal – way!
Fun side note. My dad is an archer too, a very good one. He’s not Shaumbra but is wise. As I talked to him about this realization of the ease and grace due to the lack of drama, he said this: ‘You are now the perfect image of an archer, the way it’s supposed to be practiced. An archer is not supposed to force the results. An archer is supposed to release, by’ – yes, he literally said this – ‘allowing the shot to be created.’(whaaaa!!) ‘It’s about getting out of your own way.’
Fantastic!
Thank you for this insight.
Thank you Kim!
Beautiful!
Thankyou for sharing🙏
Oh Beh Ahn!
You’re welcome Flavius. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
UAU,Frieda!!!
Deu para sentir o verdadeiro estado de Ser de um arqueiro.
GRATIDÃO!!!
Amei seu artigo!!!!
Haha, cool! Thank you! And I love your language!
Beautifully said!
The drama of the mind makes its appearance mainly in competitions, because it likes battles, rankings.
Competition is the top level of a normal relationship.
In a competition, or in a setting where there is something to be gained, the mind will always play its number.
The Master does not enter the competition.
The Master allows the game, and thus enters the Flow.
Ease and grace versus hustle and drama, is very clearly presented in the article.
And, yes, maximum potential can be experienced when the mind is put aside!
Thanks for the post!
You’re welcome ánd thank you Leta!
And the ánd is what I like these days. The mind running its course with its competative nature ánd the master observing it and just BEing. It’s not always like that, but so much more and easy to remind myself and become conscious again of what’s happening, instantly. It’s a gracious game nowadays.
Dear Frieda,
thank you for sharing your wonderful experience.
I made similar experiences with stone carving that literally came to me. I never learned it “properly” the human way. Only the Master’s way: Let go and just carve. With ease and grace and quiet some speed in progress.
Of course, the mind kicked at some point and created fuss and drama. But I am beyond all this now. Just carving – enjoying – having fun.
Wonderful Nika! I love working with my hands too. Being in that quiet creators place where things just are and flow. And thus where I just am and flow. I picked that up again as well (tiffany glass work). Love it! Thanks for your response!
Deep gratitude for a delightful article that brought ancient wisdom into a loving lesson that we could experience together. The bow, from the perspective of Dhanurveda (the Vedic science of transformation) offers us a great tool to experience the being or silence that proceeds truth or a transformational action. Pulling back the bow fully is a metaphor for pulling the mind back into a total state of non-thinking—as if you were in a meditative state while fully engaged in the world or action. Holding the bowstring and arrow in a state of stillness requires mastery of the mind to avert distraction from the outside world, the target—or, as the Gita put it, “the fruits of his actions.”
Thank you so much for your response and for adding this information Deb! It’s exactly like that indeed. Beautiful metaphors too. Thanks!
Hi Frieda, being a golfer of many years I can totally relate to your archery experiences. You just have to get out of your own way (controlling mind) and trust the process and let the magic happen. I compare the progress I am making in my golf rounds to that of my own life, in just allowing the master take the steering wheel and trust the process to unfold. I am definitely seeing big improvements in my game and scores. Thank you for sharing your experience.
You’re welcome. I can totally see this being similar in golf. Thank you for sharing yours!
Liebe Frieda,
eine vergleichbare Erfahrung habe ich als Berufsgeigerin gemacht. Als ich zum Jubiläum und Berufsrückschau ein fast 3 Stündiges Programm absolvierte mit Moderation, Präsentation und Spielen verschiedener Stücke in unterschiedlichen Besetzungen, hatte ich ein Gefühl wie noch nie im Leben: ich überließ mich dem Fluss der Freude über das große Projekt und von meiner inneren Führung aus dem gegenwärtigen Moment heraus leiten. Jegliche Anspannung, Nervosität, Überprüfungen des Verstands waren ausgelöscht.
Dieses wunderbare Geschenk zum Karriere-Ende erinnert mich nun auch in den kleinen Dingen des Alltags daran, mich vertrauensvoll dem Lebensfluss hinzugeben.
Wow! Thank you for your response. (I hope you don’t mind the English).
It’s a similar beautiful experience indeed. How wonderful to have that timed so beautifully, at the end of your career. Great creation!
Een schot in de roos, meid! 🙂
Haha. Yes! Thank you Joep!
Excellent! It’s measurable, how funny!
I really admire your father’s wisdom.
Thank you for sharing
Beautiful! There is something very Zen about your story – presence, letting go of attachment (no agenda), and – of course! – allowing.
The energy in your message brings a beautiful sense of peace. Thank you
Hi Anna,
You’re welcome. It’s a beautiful zen experience indeed. Which allows me to sense the incoming heaviness of gravity even more the moment the mind kicks in, in a controlling way. It’s actually fascinating. Plus, unintentionally a great reminder and practice in sensing that as well. I take that wisdom with me and it helps me while being at work for example. (and ‘taking it with me’ sounds way too mental, but it’s coming from the same zen if you will).
And your message reminds me again of that too, so thank you for your response.
Hi Regine,
Thank you and you’re most welcome! It is and was funny indeed. A case of: ‘Huh?!? Oh… So THIS changed dramatically. Cool!’
And I’ll let my dad know. 🙂
I’ve never done archery, but now you are giving me an image: Whenever I need to come back to the simplistic moment, as is hard for the human, I’ll imagine myself ‘whoosh… plop. Bingo!’
hahahaha YES! Thanks for your comment and laugh Kemila. Oh, and just in case you find yourself surrounded by archers one day, it’s not a common phrase. It’s a Frieda-phrase. Have a lovely whoosh plop bingo day! 😉
Wonderfull story Frieda , thank you!
Thanks and you’re welcome! 🙂
Fantastic! What an incredible feeling it must be. Thank you for sharing, Frieda.
Thanks Alyson. Yes, it is! And not a 100% of the time. I still have a mind… and that’s okay. But how cool to witness the ease in grace in such a tangible way. It added a new layer of fun!