Text Box: “Nurturing Hope” -Continued on page 20 At the beginning of my training, one of the most difficult things for me was learning to relax in the midst of strenuous physical tension. I thought it was impossible. I could hardly maintain the full position. My hands began to vibrate and my body trembled and my breath became short. Though it got easier each time, I still could not maintain a relaxed state of being. So when one is not relaxed, one makes mistakes. Kyudo is very unforgiving in that way. So I had the bow string whack my face and my forearm causing excruciating pain that shot through the body and inflicted a big black bruise. I also had the base of my left thumb cut by the rushing arrow many times. All these were caused by the one fact that I could not relax. In many ways, the need to stay calm and composed is also very important in life. We need to find that quiet centre of the still point where we encounter the Spirit of God. In a way, that turned out to be one of the most important things that kyudo taught me at first. Taoism also talks about how muddy water if left in stillness becomes clear. Text Box: The scripture passage from Psalm 46 came to mind many times: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Another way of reading this passage is: “Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be.” Indeed, after practising even after a tiring day, I was able to walk home at ease, tired, but relaxed. And my walks became gentler as my feet met the concrete pavement. Ultimately, kyudo is not about just hitting the target. It strives for something higher as it aims for truth, goodness and beauty. The truth in kyudo is that we need to hit the target. The goodness is the quality of mind that is needed to hit the target. Beauty is the byproduct of the goodness in the form, the mind and spirit whereupon the shot is released with much grace and sharpness. In life, there are truths that seek the goodness of our hearts. Dirty dishes in our sink long to be cleansed. Dull knives long to be sharpened. The hungry long for a meal. The naked long to be clothed. The oppressed seek freedom. People who live in conflict cry out for peace. Christ proclaimed, “ Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 25:34-36) The great people in our history, from Moses to Gandhi to Mother Teresa, they have simply responded to the incredible longings of the people with much humility and love. Mothers are very proficient at responding to the needs of babies who cry out for food, clean diapers and sleep. There are many truths that beckon our attention, and we only need to simply respond with much kindness. A Zen Buddhist monk realized Text Box: -See “Nurturing Hope” on page 22 Text Box: taking was worthwhile, we took the plunge and decided to move to Japan. Fortunately, our church through the support of M&S fund, maintains a partnership with the Japanese Kyodan church and found an opening for us to teach English at an all girls Christian school. Luckily, the school had a kyudo club, and the kyudo teacher was very happy to give me his support. Not only that, the school previously did not have a practice hall, so the teacher had pleaded for ten years for the school to build a new hall. It was completed just four months before I arrived. Even though the teacher is not a Christian, he said to me, “Your coming here was a part of God’s plan.”