“What does it mean to have a practice? It means we have the ability to remake ourselves. We don’t have to be defined by others, or by accident, or even by wealth and opportunity. We have a method, and we use it. We do what few other people are willing to do—to make many small acts each day that build into massive change. That’s how we safeguard our health and our sanity.
What does it mean to have a practice? It means that we understand that there are no quick changes. That the only way to have a chance of moving with the seasons, with circumstance, and with aging, is to make many gradual alterations. That takes patience and it takes perseverance. That steady effort is all we really need.
What does it mean to have a practice? It means that we clear our minds, that we participate in each day, that we adjust cheerfully and quickly to any changes in our lives, that we manage to continue our practice even as we answer all our other obligations.
What does it mean to have a practice? It means we are fully centered in ourselves. We are seldom overwhelmed or shocked—because we have constantly oriented ourselves each day”.
by Deng Ming-Dao.
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I had never come across a quote that summarized practice as well as this one. Having said that, it is up to each one of us to answer what it means to have a practice. What does it mean to you at this stage of your life?
