Rhythm in Tao
Repetition serves as both guide and practice for accessing the flow state described in Taoist and Zen principles—foundational elements of many ancient cultures. This approach is inspired by Zen in the Art of Archery by German philosophy professor Eugen Herrigel. In Zen archery, the archer does not aim at the target—it aims at itself. As Herrigel writes, “What stands in your way is not the target, but your self.” He emphasizes that the archer, the bow, and the arrow must become one.
In my practice, once repetition becomes rhythm, the intention is to become one with the clay. Whether kneading, pinching, coiling, or throwing, each repeated gesture becomes a gateway—allowing the act itself to guide me into the flow.This merging—with the object, the process, and the present moment—embodies the rhythm of Tao, the state of flow(心物合一）
The key to entering this flow is to be, not to become. I remind myself: I am not drawing lines—I am the act of drawing. I am not shaping clay—I am the act of creation. In this state, making becomes a meditation, and creation becomes a form of conscious healing. This way of working extends beyond the studio; it can be applied to all aspects of life, transforming everyday repetition into a practice of presence, awareness, and inner clarity.
“The right art is purposeless, aimless! The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will succeed.” — Eugen Herrigel
