PRACTICE
SHINTO PRACTICE
energy in silence
The archer hits the target in deep night, or blind-
folded.
How do we grasp this secret of the archer? The
answer lies in the practice of shinto-exercises.
These are a non-verbal way to gain insight into the
outside world as a reflection of the inner world.
To hit the target outside, the archer closes his eyes
and concentrates upon his inner core, his essence.
Shinto has developed a series of exercises aiming
at the balance of body, mind and nature, based on
an awareness of space and time and the
interconnectedness of all life in the cosmos. This
awareness generates new energy.
It is an effective way to prevent illness in today’s
world, whether psychological or physical. The
exercises transmit to us an ancient wisdom. They
offer us powerful insights into humanity’s place
within nature. The concept of nature is all-
inclusive, encompassing family and friendship,
work, human society, city as much as country and
the cycles of life, death and regeneration.
© 1981 JAPANESE DUTCH SHINZEN FOUNDATION