Practice and All Is Coming
August 26, 2012 
"Why do we 'practice' "- she asked. "Why is it that we don't 'do' this...like we 'do' everything else?"
She was sweet..young..and impressionable. She was intelligent...well-intentioned...and brand new to her mat. And her seemingly simple question gave me pause...and much about which to think. It took me a moment before I could respond.
We refer to this as practice because there is no prize at the end of the pose. There's no ultimate goal. There's nowhere else or other we need to be. There's no judgement. There's no measure or final count. There's no right or wrong..or good or bad. There's no better or worse. And more important - there's no end.
We practice to practice. We don't practice to perfect. We don't practice to compete or complete. We practice only so that we can feel and be. In this moment. Today...and tomorrow...and the day after day. Every day - a new chance to begin.
We practice as a discipline..as a science..as an art. We practice for the joy of practice. We practice because it is within that sustains us.
She looked at me puzzled...confused...unsure of this new and unfamiliar ground.
The practice becomes a tool..a lens..a mirror of self-observation. Thru regularity and repetition..we begin to see ourselves and our habitual patterns of being in this world. And - it is thru that exact same practice that we see ourselves changed.
It's not something we check off our lists as 'done'. Unlike all of the other 'things' and 'to do's' and 'actions'. It's not a project to be completed....an errand to be run...a house to be cleaned. Our mats become our metaphors for life. We practice strength and resilience and flexibility. We practice patience. We practice non-reaction. We practice the art of listening to ourselves thru our bodies. We learn the practice of self-care and love.
It was such a simple question..that begged an equally simple response. I'm quite sure she never expected such ambiguous complexity.
But - as I was explaining...as I was sharing..as I was speaking to the teachings of what I'd been taught - I couldn't help but remember. Just yesterday - it was me who was doing this asking. It was me who was wanting to know the ins and outs and what's and why's. It was me who wanted absolutes and clear answers.
Life began and ended with my list of what to do and when. My days were measured by the efficiency of my crossing one thing off and then another. The list - often - defining me. The concept of practice for no other reason than to practice - was certainly beyond the realm of possibility.
Yes - I was talking to her...responding to her particular question. But really - I was talking to me. That part and piece that saw me in she. Who and how I was once....and who and how I've come to be.
Definitely a little older. Perhaps a little wiser. And still..and yet - seeking and searching and practicing. Forever beginning. One new day at a time.
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Cross-posted over at Vision and Verb - where a group of like-minded women from all over the world share their passion for photography and the written word.
Reader Comments (44)
This is something I've never considered.
I practice photography.
I create (do) an altered or edited photo.
I create (do) a blog post with photo and text.
Hmmmm...thanks; something for me to ponder.
practice is all. lovely.
i needed this like a shot of B-12 for my soul!
thank you for every morsel you wrote
(and that glorious photo)
....stirred and filled and grateful.
-Jennifer
Amen! I struggle with staying present on the mat and just enjoying each movement and moment. Namaste.
Superbe!
En pleine action.
Beautifully illustrated
STUNNING! And the written segment..as well.
Lovely photo ... I guess we all have in our heads the mantra from childhood that '(perfect) practice makes perfect', and so practice has been imbued with an aim, a goal ... I like your (in more ways than one) reflection.
Dynamic photo and lovely post that rings so true ~ Carol (A Creative Harbor) on Blogger
A fine statement accompanied by this great looking picture. I must think about practice relative to photography...how much of it are simply snap shots versus thoughtful images that might actually be practice.
wow, what a capture!
It's not to compete or complete. So true. So succinct. So wise.
Burbbbbbbbb......;-))))
Realy a fantastic shot Marcie!!!!
What a wonderful photo! I guess with writing, playing instruments, singing, dressage - I've never thought of what I do as practice but simply doing and enjoying whatever enlightenment that occurs in those moments of no longer doing but being the words, music or motion.
Your image is delightful and it goes so well with your words. How true we never stop seeking, learning and reassessing what we have learned and where we were compared to where we are now.
Yes, as each day we move forward to "practice" living, for the joy of living. What a perfect answer to her question.
And what a fabulous image! Just now, the swamp down the road has all but dried up, the herons are having a smorgasbord of easy to reach fish. You should be here with your camera.
Beautiful Marcie. I could read this over and over - it has a rhythm and beauty in itself. I don't "practice" yoga but I'm trying every day to meditate and just be in those moments. Your script here is perfect.
"there's no end"
"it is within that sustains us."
Mmmmmmmm
This image! beautiful & strong, just what comes to my mind when I think of you. Such lucky young girls to have you as their yoga instructor, as we are to have you here with us, daily.
Yes, one new day at a time. Wonderful post.
This photo is exceptional; if you had captured it without prior practice (making perfect just in this instance) you'd be a miracle worker.
Beautifully written, Marcie. I could visualize me (an older beginner) asking the same question...and learning so very much from you.
You continue to inspire so many -- through your daily practice. Another photographer recently asked me why I continued to blog and called me a 'prolific' photographer. (I'm not sure if her intentions were entirely 'complementary.' ;) ) In my response to her, I mentioned you and your "Daily Practice" and made a musical reference as well. "Ah. Yes, I see..." was her response.
I've thanked you before -- and will continue to -- for your wisdom, leadership, and inspiration.
What a wonderfully composed piece of writing. This piece speaks to me so directly this morning as I begin sophomore year with my son. I love the little older...little wiser part of life. I do wish kids today could be more celebrated for their desire to "practice" and enjoy their interests instead of pushed so hard to compete and strive for perfection. My son had a stranger walk up to him on the tennis courts yesterday and try and correct his swing. I was so polite on the outside but fuming on the inside. Our tennis mornings are for us to enjoy being outdoors, get exercise, and have fun doing something we both enjoy. My son was humiliated and will probably be slightly more aware that other nosey-competitive minded people are constantly judging him. I find that I am speaking the same words as you are to myself...in order to communicate the same message to my son.
Daily practice, a concept so foreign to our goal oriented minds, yet the power of its lessons can be observed just by reading your post, Marcie. It is what allows all of us to grow be it through yoga, writing or taking photographs. The repetition on a regular basis is the important element.
Thank you for this very timely reminder :-)
So much in our lives is geared to 'instantaneous rewards' that it is difficult to comprehend practising anything as a continuum. And probably just as difficult to think of the rewards also being a continuum.
It is some time since I practised yoga (and I really should go back) but much of the same argument could be used about 'living in the moment' which I try hard to do.
A beautiful, thought provoking post. Thank you.
Superb image - caught at the prefect moment.
Beautiful photo!
My friend Mary from A Teachable Mom sent me over to read this. I am a yoga teacher and you articulated so well what "practice" means to me. I may have to share your words with my students. I can't tell you how many times I have said in front of a class: "There is no such thing as being good at yoga!"
Life is my practice. I need to remind myself of that often. Beautifully written.
Beautifully expressed Marcie and the photograph quite intriguing. Definitely some food for thought in your message today.
Wonderful composition and perspective.
What a beautiful image Marcie! Such fine, insightful wordings..."ambiguous complexity" and "saw me in she". Wow...you have got it goin' on woman!! You share your heart with such care and authenticity...exquisite Marcie!!
Just as I fall into bed after a busy few days, full of emotional excitement, I'm hoping your words will sink into my deep sleep and embed themselves there for edification. Upon awakening tomorrow, I have a feeling your post will still be ringing in my ears! I hope so, Marcie. Thank you.
you know this is the not the first time that i have thought, hmmm i wish i lived closer to marcie and she could be my yoga teacher!! :)
but it's more than that isn't it - it's sharing the words and the thoughts, reading them and letting them resonate. and even if i can't be closer to any of you in person, at least i can still read the words :)
looks like he's about to get his grub! nicely timed shot!
Your words here have captured the essence of something that I have never put into words myself. This is it, you have done it! What a wonderful and liberating concept. Your words have been a special gift of inspiration to me today! Love the image as always too. THANK YOU! X
This is simply outstanding Marcie. I too would so love to have you as my yoga instructor, so I totally agree Eliza! The two words - Forever beginning - is now proudly posted on my computer! I LOVE that! and YOU!
Oops...sorry for additional comment, but just had to tell you when I scrolled down to see the complete photograph my mind immediately went to a spread of fortune cookies at this bird's feet! So cool!
Isn't it interesting that the one place in our society where the concept of "practice" is both assumed and admired is in - medicine. After completing their training, doctors establish a "practice" - and no one ever stops to think what that might mean.
A truly beautiful and much needed explanation.
Incredible shot to illustrate your insightful words Marcie--fantastic post as always
Forever beginning. That just about sums it all up. Marcie - that image! WOW! That heron is fantastic. His pose is just amazing!
"Definitely a little older. Perhaps a little wiser" like this. We should be a little wiser even we get old.
Beautiful shot, love the dof.
What an incredible shot!
wow, the color palette throughout this scene is beautiful. it's full of mystery for me. i can't tell what that is on the ground. i'm guessing leaves on the water, but it's just gorgeous.