Zen and the Samurai Art of Playing Golf

By Ulrich Nitzschke

Zen and the Samurai Art of Playing Golf

Ulrich Nitzschke

Based on decades of personal experience in Zen, humanistic psychology, various modern sports and traditional spiritual paths, the author explains, with great expert knowledge and convincing empathy, the overriding importance of awareness in golf and follows up with highly effective training methods.

The book illustrates how Western man suffering from stressful daily routine can use golf as a method to enter a path to personal development and growth, just as martial arts of the ancient Japanese Samurai were under the influence of Zen philosophy transformed into modern Eastern spiritual disciplines.

After more than three decades of serving in the German diplomatic service Ulrich Nitzschke started in 2004, at the age of sixtyfour, his free lance activities as life coach and author. He sees his new career as the natural outcome of his long-life quest for personal growth and spiritual development, that included Human Potential Psychology, Eastern Spirituality, Western sports disciplines (skiing, sailing and golf) as well as Eastern spiritual paths like Zen-Meditation and Kyudo (Japanese Archery).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ulrich Nitzschke
• Release date: Jun 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9789384363895

Book preview

Zen

and the Samurai Art of

Playing Golf

Ulrich Nitzschke

Translated by

LINDA MARIANIELLO

A DIVISION OF MAOLI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Zen and the Samurai Art of Playing Golf

Copyright Text and Content: © 2015 Ulrich Nitzschke

Copyright Illustrations: © 2015 Klaus Holitzka

Design and typography © 2015 Zen Publications

First Edition: May 2015

PUBLISHED BY

ZEN PUBLICATIONS

A Division of Maoli Media Private Limited

60, Juhu Supreme Shopping Centre,

Gulmohar Cross Road No. 9, JVPD Scheme,

Juhu, Mumbai 400 049. India.

Tel: [phone]

eMail: [e-mail]

Website: www.zenpublications.com

Cover & Other Illustrations: Klaus Holitzka

Book Design: Red Sky Designs, Mumbai

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author or his agents, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

PART ONE: Recognizing Your Inner Opponent

1. The Disguise

2. Treacherous Chatter

3. Deception and Tricks

4. Diversionary Tactics

PART TWO: Discovering Your Inner Warrior

1. The Challenge

2. The Warrior Within

3. On the Path of the Samurai

PART THREE: The Art of Conquering Your Inner Opponent

1. How to Unite the Inner and Outer Game

2. Follow the Golden Rules

3. Training with Heart and Mind

4. How to Play G olf like a Samurai

5. Practice Formula: AZTECS

PART FOUR: From Game to Everyday Living

1. A Reflection of Life

2. Zen or Monks by the Campfire

3. Being Present in Daily Routine

4. Golf as the Path

Brief Glossary of Golfing Terms

Literary References

PREFACE

For A Long Time, I have been intrigued by the question of how a person can learn to use conscious awareness to promote greater quality of life, success in life, or what is usually called happiness. I began by recalling my schoolboy encounter with the mysterious expression, Know thyself. But decisive inspiration only came in midlife. At that time, I became personally acquainted with humanistic psychology and began to practice Eastern methods of meditation. These, in turn, were connected to sporting activities in natural settings; namely, skiing and sailing. (Golf would come much later.)

And so, over the course of many years, another mental and spiritual path was revealed to me. It formed an arc from traditional Eastern wisdom teachings to contemporary and sports psychology and the latest practical counseling techniques. The objective of this book is to describe this path, using golf as a metaphor, and to accompany readers on a route that may bring them a little closer to true quality of life.

In doing so, I am relying on the experience and knowledge of numerous major historical figures. They span many centuries, beginning with ancient Chinese wisdom teachings and extending to important European and American exponents of contemporary psychology. I am particularly indebted to Karlfried Graf Durckheim and my Zen master, Gosung Shin. It was at the Durckheim School in the Black Forest that I was introduced to Initiation Therapy. At the American Zen College in Maryland, Master Shin lovingly and rigorously taught me meditation.

Regarding the mental side of golf, I am especially grateful to Tim Gallwey, who provided important insights and suggestions. His fantastic book, The Inner Game of Golf, opened my eyes to the psychological aspects of the sport. Other books that have served as inspiration are Zen Golf by Joseph Parent and Jenseits des Scores (EN: Beyond the Score) by Oliver Heuler. In my efforts to draw fascinating lines of comparison between golf and ancient Japanese martial arts, I found Deshi-maru-Roshi’s ZEN in the Martial Arts of Japan and my own Kyudo practice particularly helpful. For those of you who are not familiar with it, Kyudo is an ancient Japanese form of archery.

INTRODUCTION

My mother is a Buddhist. When a Buddhist seeks enlightenment, he must meditate and progress with the help of his consciousness.One thing she gave me was the ability to remain calm and to use my consciousness as my greatest source of support.

– Tiger Woods, golfing legend

I am convinced that all truly great golfers know what a preeminent role

Reviews for Zen and the Samurai Art of Playing Golf

[Ed Pirc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great journey into the mental game of golf with practical advice.