Started my journey with Traditional Archery in Traditional Archers Singapore (TAS) through a friend on November 2nd 2020. I remember during that time, we were still in the former range, located at 21A Tebing Lane. We were taught, and still is, by the Head of TAS, Mr Alfyan. TAS is grounded upon a passed down art which exists from the Ottoman times to present. Hence, we can see the importance of roles played by the teachers in passing down their knowledge and values of the art.
Whilst being there, we got to know about the different levels of Archery which TAS offers which includes various arrow making and different sets of archery skills. Recently, a few of TAS archers and I were given a chance to participate in the yearly competition of Okçular Vakfi, 10 Conquest Cup Fetih Kupasi, in Istanbul, on the 29 of May 2022. It was during that time where we were able to try out and practice Horseback Archery, thanks to the coaches and teachers who made it possible. In addition, due to my background with kids in Forest School Singapore (FSS), I’m assisting TAS in being a kids coach.
I would say, reflections and realisations are something which always comes to me during and after archery lessons. It is said that there is a secret in the practice of archery itself. A secret to self-development and others more. As much as there is a secret to everything (even the universe itself is a secret), intention would be the key to unlock all there is.
As we know, TAS is different from other types of archery services provided in Singapore, due to being closest to nature made, such as laminated wooden bow and arrow, usage and making of own wooden arrow with peacock feather as well as fish glue. As such, bow and arrow are much more delicate and require archers to be more in tune with their bows and arrows.
Since this article would be partly on my reflections and realisations in practising the art of Archery itself, I would try as much to allow everyone to visualise how and what it’s like. I would like to number it off as there would be quite a number of instances which I would be elaborating more about to enhance one’s understanding.
1. While practising archery shooting skills with my fellow mates, it seems like my arrow went haywire and went almost everywhere except the board and the target which I was supposed to shoot at, while all my other mates were quite skilful and had their arrows land on their targets. That continues for an hour or so. On my way back, I was wondering what is this sense of fulfilment that I was feeling. As I internalised the feeling of where it was coming from, I realised it was due to my intention of shooting arrows which was to let go of everything that would not help in my self – development.
2. It was night time when we were shooting our arrows together again. This time, my arrows were pretty much on the board, missing the target though. While others landed on their respective targets. This time too, I went off with a feeling of extreme peace & tranquillity such that I teared up out of gratitude for the wonderful feeling that I was feeling in that moment. Feels like I would do anything just to have that feeling forever. It feels like richness of the heart & a healthy heart is something that one would give the entire world for.
3. In the process of making arrows for my kid’s class, which I thank Coach Farah for her assistance in perfecting the arrows, I realised the effort and uniqueness of each of the arrows. As we make the arrows with such perfection and love, we come to realise the love that the Creator has for His creation, which would be us. In that sense of realisation, I teared again.
4. As we make our own arrows, we realise the efforts and amount of time needed to perfect it. And arrows are made for shooting purposes. However, if we loved our arrows imperfectly, we would be hoarding and keeping them safely tucked in our arrow tubes, rather than launching them towards the target for fear of breaking them. Thus we would not be allowing the arrows to fulfil their purpose. This, in itself, for me would be the greatest teaching in life. On how we as human beings, educate or in the journey of perfecting our little ones or loved ones, may hold on to them too tightly such that we fear them flying and learning the lessons on growth life has to offer.
5. For some reason, I used to have a habit of pushing the arrows towards the bow, and as such, most of my arrows are bent. In cases of arrow bending, we would do a procedure called, arrow massage, where another arrow is used to stroke the bent arrow with slight pressure to straighten it. In my instance, when I was doing a particular arrow massage, it felt like my own spine was being massaged the same way I was massaging the arrows in my hands. Personally, I had back aches in the past, could be due to me holding and shouldering everything on myself, which I have been in the process of letting go and letting God. It is said that anything related to the spine is related to the belief in God or others call it, the Universal Power. Anyway, it was when I was doing an arrow massage when my back felt much better at that moment.
There is much more learning of this journey which I have applied to life. When I first started, there was much rage & anger with me that I used archery as an outlet, transferring energy. Now, I feel much calmer & tranquil in the process of throwing arrows. It’s like, I know I am on my own journey of growth with archery. Hitting or missing the target becomes secondary to me when I know I am doing my best. Each to its own yardstick. I am thankful for the journey with archery and the lessons it taught me, and the one who brought me to archery as well. For without her, I wouldn’t be able to experience this journey.
To end off, I would like to thank Coach Darren for allowing me to express my learnings in my journey with TAS. I would like to thank everyone who is involved in my journey at TAS and the one who introduced me to TAS.
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