[MD] Where's the Target I'm Shooting at?

[Dan Glover]

Hello everyone

>From: Heather Perella <spiritualadirondack at yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
>To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
>Subject: [MD]  Where's the Target I'm Shooting at?
>Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2006 09:02:55 -0700 (PDT)
>
>
>      So, where's the target I'm (or we) are shooting
>at? when it comes to quality.  Is it the awe in beauty
>that defines our performance of what this quality is?

Hi SA

"Write a 350-word essay answering the question, What is quality in thought 
and statement?"

Quality in thought and statement may not always be beautiful but it is 
always better. Beauty can sometimes blind the beholder to that which is 
better yet that which is better never blinds. There is no best way, only a 
better way, for that which is better is Dynamic and ever changing while that 
which is best is static and dead.

Practice makes perfect but only perfect practice, so perfection is here, 
right here, waiting to be uncovered. Remember how the master refused to 
continue teaching Herrigal after he had "perfected" his practice? I don't 
believe Herrigal ever understood why. His goal was to draw and shoot the 
arrow as fluidly as the master and he sincerely thought he had achieved that 
goal by becoming the best he could be. Herrigal was so proud, and genuinely 
shocked to be "kicked out of class."

The master immediately saw through this subterfuge. Herrigal had not 
achieved quality in thought and statement. Instead he had sought to impress 
the master through clandestine practice. Herrigal didn't understand that 
there is no target - there is no arrow - there is no you - there is no me - 
there is no beholder - there is no best way. Like motorcycle maintenance, 
archery has nothing at all to do with zen. It's a vehicle towards 
understanding, a better way.

Such are the teachings of the master.

Thank you for your comments,

Dan