Beginner's Mind

[dquidort]

#6847

David Petersen’s article in the new TBM really hit home with me. After a lifetime of enjoying traditional archery it can become less exciting. No matter how much you enjoy something, when a person has “been there and done that” enough it can start to lose its luster and become slightly boring.

Dave wrote, “The more we know about any aspect of life, the less mystery it holds. The less mystery, the less magic. And awe-inspiring magic is the wine of a life well lived”.

That magic is what I’ve always loved about instinctive shooting and traditional bowhunting. Too much experience, information or anaylizing takes away the magic.

Dave turned to learning to hunt a new species to be revitalized. I’ve turned to making and using my own selfbows to start the magic again. The learning curve is the exciting part!

I agree with Dave. “The journey IS the destination”.

What say you?

Darryl

[Homer]

#55776

Well put, Darryl. I feel sorry for folks who run so hard for the finish line, the miss the game along the way. For a bit more Zen-speak, “Be here now.” I’ve enjoyed making bows too but gave it up, temporarily, because I had so many bows to shoot all the time it really affected my accuracy, which was/is marginal anyhow. But man, what a great hobby, and good for the upper arms. 😛 Homer

[David Coulter]

#55814

You guys have a few year of experience on me. I’ve hunted all my life, but just started this traditional thing. I’ve been a bird watcher, a frog finder, a salamander seeker all my life, but this is really new. I hope that this does not get gray on me, as it has given me a new view of things. I’m in the final pages of A Man Made of Elk and have read a few things by Dave. I am so pleased to find someone who so eloquently puts in words what I have been trying to express for a long time.
I have a mentor, a younger fellow who makes his own self-bows who has been a great guide, as I start this new journey. I also have young children who are like sponges for knowledge and promise to keep me young at heart. As I guide them they guide me. The promise of learning and promise to teach is what makes it all happen.
Peace.

[rnorris]

#56236

Dave can sure put together some good words. I think one of the allures of traditional archery is that it’s always new (for me at least). No matter how much time I put into it, I am always learning and being amazed by something. Maybe because it’s not just about shooting the bow and hanging deer on the pole? We are very lucky to be involved. I don’t dislike compound hunter, but I feel sorry for all they are missing.

Great article Dave!!:D

[Patrick]

#56362

The article really strikes home for me because I have such a tendency to get too caught up in the technical aspects of everything I do. Then the magic/fun departs.

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