In an archery contest, when the stakes are earthenware tiles a contestant shoots with skill. When the stakes are belt buckles he becomes hesitant, and if the stakes are pure gold he becomes nervous and confused. There is no difference as to his skill but, because here is something he prizes, he allows outward considerations to weigh on his mind. All those who consider external things important are stupid within.

- Chuang-Tzu

"When shooting, sometimes we will hit the target but miss the self. At other times we will miss the target but hit the self. Our purpose, though, is to hit the target as the self and hope that the sharp sound of arrow penetrating paper will awaken us from the so-called 'dream of life' and give us real insight into the ultimate state of being."
-Onuma sensei

(Joel...where or where can I find zen? )

'The mountain flows, the river sits.' - zen saying

...and leaves fall.

Nature teaches more than she preaches. There are no sermons in stones. It is easier to get a spark out of a stone than a moral.

- John Burroughs

Good one, Joel. I like it.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
-Isaac Asimov

Play so that you may be serious.
-Anacharsis, 6th century B.C.E.

I have actually been thinking about that...how we ascribe value to certain specific things that then are reflected in our behaviours...not by any tangible merit, but by what we imbue them with.

Interesting! Thanks.

-B

Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone one question. This question is one that only a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it once when I was young and my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it. Now I do understand it. I will tell you what it is: “Does this path have a heart?” If it does, the path is good. If it doesn’t, it is of no use.

- Don Juan