Translating a Kyudo aphorism

Question

I have been working a bit more lately on talking about my interests in spanish, and one of those interests is Kyudo (Japanese archery). There is a saying in Kyudo that goes something like, "when shooting, sometimes we will hit the target but miss the self." I am really not sure how to translate this sagely little nugget that expresses the character of Kyudo so well into spanish, so I thought I would ask for some help here.

Here is my attempt:

"Cuando tirando/disparando, a veces daremos en el blanco pero perderse en el yo."

The concept of missing in this context is really tricky for this gringo.

Missing a target ... fallar - francobollo, Nov 5, 2012

Answer 1

Cuando disparamos (la flecha) a veces lo daremos en el blanco pero nos perderemos el ser uno mismo.

Another good one. Thank you for adding your two cents. - Maldito23, Nov 5, 2012

Answer 2

Hmmm that is a tricky one, this is just a guess so please don't pay it too much notice but I thought I'd have a crack jeje, how about:

Al disparar una flecha, a veces damos en el blanco mientras fallamos nosotros mismos.

"Al disparar" another good way to start the sentence :-) - 005faa61, Nov 5, 2012

It is a tricky one. Thanks for taking a crack at it. I agree with Julian: "Al disparar" is good way to start the sentence. - Maldito23, Nov 5, 2012

Answer 3

Here's my two cents:

"When shooting, sometimes we will hit the target but miss the self."

Al disparar, a veces damos en el blanco pero nos fallamos a nosotros mismos.

I am using fallar a play on words here (to miss or to fail ourselves). - francobollo, Nov 5, 2012

The play on words is essential to communicating the spirit of the aphorism, so I appreciate that you worked this into the translation. Thank you for adding your two cents. - Maldito23, Nov 5, 2012