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

[Heather Perella]

Hello Dan Glover, Ant, and others,

     Dan said:  "This "clinging"... what does it
entail? For instance: a human being is "self" aware
but only after growing to a certain age, biologically,
socially, and intellectually. What does this mean? It
appears that only when we intellectualize the self do
we become self aware. Would you agree?"

     I can see this.  I am inclined to agree.  Also,
in the context of what Ant was talking about this
clinging to self fits into the spectrum I have brought
up before about 'solid intellect' prisming towards
'less solid intellect', which continues onward to
dynamic quality.  The more attachment to a thought,
and the more solid a thought becomes only in ones'
head the less likely other vistas will be seen outside
of this thought.  When a thought is not as solid or
concrete or narrow or blocking of view, then a less
solid thought will be seen through or past in order to
allow for one to be open-minded and view much else. 
How long will one hold onto an idea that becomes an
idea about something not even experienced anymore. 
That kind of idea is a more 'solid idea' blocking out
current experience.  
     Try to understand the meaning of what I am
saying, because I understand the use of words such as
solid and less solid by themselves can muddy the
water.  Basically, what I am talking about has to do
with clinging and attachment.  To hold onto, to cling,
to attach, and to have this solid idea that only views
oneself that stops at DNA, the skin, family, or
hypothesis, amidst all this diversity of the universe,
is to miss out on the undefined dynamic quality
included with quality.
     This non-clinging goes along with what I
mentioned some time ago when I started this thread. 
To stand and have the deer in view.  To pull back on
the bow and to only think and wait for a more perfect
shoot is to cling to an idea that could happen, but I
just won't let go of the arrow and finish the hunt,
make it a hunt, and have the experience end as a hunt
should end when it is a hunt for deer.  Just let go! 
Just shoot!

     It's funny I went to this thread to comment on
this discussion between Ant and Dan, and later on Dan
says this;  "Exactly! Which reminds me of what I was
saying to SA just a while back in his Archery thread.
Grasping, clinging, goals... these are intellectual
motions set in place by the cultural mores we grow to
learn. Zen seeks nothing. Perfection is a by-product
of perfect practice, nothing more. No 
target, no arrow, no bow, no individual, no idea..."

     This breeze as the archer pulls back on the bow. 
This seeking of nothing while amidst the motion of
life.  This action taking place and then the edge of
experience peels back away as all that comes together
in a perfect practice, hit or miss is the result,
always.  This "no target, no arrow, no bow, no
individual, no idea..." peeling away into the unknown.
 The definition is all set.  The pattern has been
analyzed.  The action of bow, arrow, shooting - hit or
miss of the target.  Notice the pattern, the
definition of what is happening with all the forms,
elbow up, string back, legs here, target here, and the
laws of nature, gravity, inertia, all shaping the
experience, and still this swirl into hit or miss. 
The balance of life itself set by the hunt.  Ideas,
instinct, skin, hair, and the equilibrium of life and
death all teetering on the edge of earth's very
existence.  
     The sky breezing from the west, circling from the
east, a storm in the distance - and what this all is
as the motion takes place - hit or miss!  The dynamic
quality of what is side by side with the defined
patterned.  The breeze clears the air and what this
act is?  I cannot say it is target, thus, "no target,
no arrow, no bow, no individual, no idea..."  I can,
also, say it has everything to do with target, thus,
it is target, arrow, bow, individual, idea....  The
wind changes direction, the smoke from the fire nearby
circles, a rock is seen in my view, a tree is on the
slope, I hear the blue jay, and with so much to
account for, I close my eyes, and shoot...  

Hit or miss this is quality.

Thanks,
SA

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