My Three Practice
Mottos
There are so very many reasons to practice. When I
first started training in martial arts one of my senseis ( sensei means “teacher” or more literally, “one who comes before”) used to mutter under her breath as she encouraged
herself to practice the karate forms she had learned: Use it or lose it. And she meant, practice what you know or be
prepared to forget it.
There are days, I confess, when the only reason I
manage to practice is that I am not prepared to forget what I know. I worked hard to learn what I’ve learned thus far, and
I’d rather not start over again.
Mind you – starting over is not always bad. In fact,
as we progress we cultivate an attitude of beginner’s mind – a state of openness, curiosity,
and a kind of trust in those who have studied before us. We seek starting over
in every moment, keeping the practice fresh. Another way that we start over is sometimes we embark on the conscious process
of tearing down our forms in order to re-build them with fresh perspectives on a deeper and more solid foundation.
The foundation is one benefit of practice – the benefits
of regular practice are cumulative. If I build the foundation, if I fill the bank, then when things come up and I cannot practice
for a period of time, it is not so hard to re-start because I can draw on what was there. It
takes time to build a good foundation or fill the bank. Practicing for 6 months and taking
a break for 2 years is not the same as practicing for 10 years and taking a break
for 2 or even 10 years.
I heard Master Wen Mei Yu say it this way: One day practice, one day
benefit. The more days I practice, the more benefits I accumulate. Those benefits may be in easier memorization of
a form, or they may be in more healthy blood and chi circulation, or in greater mental tranquility. Whatever the benefits
I perceive – the more I practice the more I benefit.
And to keep it real, I am encouraged by the sign that
Sifu Jan keeps in her office: Either I practiced
today or I didn’t. It is as
simple and honest as that. If I didn’t practice yesterday, I accept that, and I know today is a new day. And I know that days
add up.
Somehow I need all three of these sayings to keep
me on track. What works for you?
Enjoy your practice
Dorian
