The Power of the Practice
Everything in life follows a pattern. The Fibonacci sequence, fractals, seasons, all follow cycles that emanate from cycles. It is inescapable as the moon and the stars, and put that way, why would we seek to escape them?
Yet we do. Multi-tasking, materialism, seeking deliverance by finding something new to distract us from our boredom, we become slaves to diversion and piddle our energies away to dust.
There is a better way. An ancient way. A way that panders to the very roots of our existence; to the power of evolution; and that is called practice.
There is a saying “Practice makes perfect” but there is no perfect, it is a lie. Perfection is a construct, a goad that makes mad the minds of men. Perfectionism should be eschewed for the foundation-less rubbish that it is. Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes stronger. Applied rightly, practice makes better.
The value of routine was not lost on the ancients. From Confucius in the East to Marcus Aurelius in the West, the power of routine was used to shape and direct the mind on both individual and civic levels. Routine is soothing. Routine provides comfort. It is ritual, a safe place. Routine affects our stress levels and attitudes helping us to regulate our emotional state. Routine can be used to slow the mind and assist in cognitive function. Routine can give us a sense of purpose and ground us, teaching us how to respond and not react.
Regardless of your custom, whether you are a boxer working on your combinations or a meditator, learning how to cultivate inner peace; habits, routines, rituals, and practice reinforce our levels of competence. Competence strengthens our levels of confidence which aids us in dealing with life’s challenges. Confidence through competence reduces stress by alleviating a sense of helplessness which in turn boosts morale and improves self-esteem. Depression and sadness disconnect us. Confidence empowers us.
This may all sound well and good. In fact, I’m sure you’ve heard it all before (and probably even better) but let me tell you the real purpose of practice, my reason for practice…self-love. One can engage in any kind of practice for any number of reasons. One can reinforce learning that is both bad and good. Practice in itself is meaningless. One needs the best motivation to achieve the best result.
The Dalai Lama said “The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be.” (2019)
This Zen practitioner, yogi, and life-long martial artist maintains a practice so that I can save my life. Modernity is filled with little stressors that kill. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. Existing with prolonged periods of elevated cortisol is caustic and associated with numerous health risks. To regulate my reactivity and my body’s stress response, this practitioner practices meditation, yoga, and martial arts every day for no other purpose than restore what life’s difficulties steadily and insidiously drain away daily.
One does not need to have a goal. One does not need to desire riches and fame. One does not need to aspire to be a Shaolin Monk, a guru, or an athlete. One need only aspire to be happy. All one needs to seek is equanimity. This is the power and the purpose of practice, which is never perfect yet always progressing.
Our drive, at OLO, Inc., is to share this wealth with you. Love is our motivation.
Check out our schedule to practice with Paul.