Teachings on Practice - Part Three

III.

There is a troubling part of practice that comes when the body does not want to practice or when it cannot cooperate. The body may be tired or ill or suffering in some way. Here is wisdom. Practice. Practice with the body. If the body cannot sit then stand. If the body cannot stand then lie down. If it cannot keep still then let it move. Honor the body. Be compassionate towards your body. Practice in brief spurts or in collected moments. Practice until the body sleeps.

I think that some people may feel this teaching promotes laziness or provides and easy excuse not to practice. But this is not so. The lazy person needs no excuse to be lazy. Certainly he may blame the body but this is only his self-deception. Those who seek not to practice will find many reasons to avoid it. There is a difference between having compassion on the body and merely using the body as an excuse to avoid practice.

In this matter only the practitioner will be the judge of honesty. Only the practitioner knows her body. Only the practitioner knows her integrity. Others may encourage or judge but this is of no consequence.

Besides all this, I would rather the practitioner perform one act of compassion towards the body than spend hours in meditation or practice done without compassion. The true practice is not mindfulness or meditation. The true practice is compassion for one’s own person – body, soul and spirit; for loved ones and community – body, soul, and spirit; for enemies – spirit, soul and body; for spirits light and dark, above and below; and for the earth and all her beings – body, soul and spirit.

Blessings.