Why people recommend it
Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel is a classic philosophical text exploring mindfulness, flow states, and the spiritual dimensions of athletic and creative pursuits. Aubrey Marcus recommended the book on The Joe Rogan Experience while discussing Zen philosophy and the mechanics of entering a flow state. Joe Rogan also referenced the work on multiple occasions, mentioning it when talking about philosophical sports books and the focused mental state achieved through archery. Ryan Holiday discussed the book across episodes of The Daily Stoic with guests like Rick Rubin and James Clear, highlighting the Zen approach to the creative process, letting go of deliberate control, and putting targets out of one's mind. Furthermore, Mike Tyson mentioned on The Joe Rogan Experience that he found copies of books about mysticism and Zen in the Art of Archery among his late mentor Cus D'Amato's belongings, noting that Cus was a true believer in those psychological and spiritual teachings. Together, these podcast mentions underscore the book's lasting influence on athletes, creators, and thinkers seeking deeper focus.
Who recommended it
- Joe Rogan Discussed
- Ryan Holiday Discussed
- Mike Tyson Discussed
- Aubrey Marcus Recommended
Joe Rogan — 4 mentions
“like Zen In The Art of archery 100% it's it's almost the exact same it's it's the philosophy of this guy who wrote the book”
“and archery in particular it's very you know there's that book zen in the art of archery which is uh it's an interesting book”
“youvery does then in the art of archery No Really good book Interesting book It's funny because my friend John Dudley read it and recommended it to me”
“Zen In The Art of Archery is a great I think that's a book”
Ryan Holiday — 4 mentions
“You've read Zen and the Art of Archery, I'm sure, right? I don't know if I've ever read that; I know I've had the book, but I don't know if I've ever read it.”
“you've read um Zen In The Art of archery I'm sure right”
“I don't know if I've ever read that; I know I've had the book, but I don't know if I've ever read it. It's a wonderful, fascinating book.”
“or or in zen in the art of archery you know he talks about you know put the target out of your mind”
Mike Tyson — 1 mention
“and i said this is what he was really about um yeah he just like he believed his mystic believer as well He believed in zen and art of archery and all that He had those books and he was just a believer and more than what we saw”
Aubrey Marcus — 1 mention
“Zen In The Art of archery is a great book I've read that”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (3: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Zen in the art of motorcycle repair. God damn. Zen in the art of archery.”
“Archer in the art of archery. There's a reason why there's that book. Yes.”
“There's something in it's there's that the book called Zen and the Art of Archery.”