Integration of Practice

Integrating Life and Practice

Doing this is an art form. We practice lots. Relentlessly. Yoga, spinning, running, breathing. We know that the more focus we can bring to the practice, the greater the value. I was reminded of this concept several times throughout the day yesterday, even suspecting that somewhere, somehow somebody would surely share an insiders 'wink'. YOU KNOW.

Water. Got it flowin' again after 90 days without. I was amazed at how much I use (waste). I had been brushing teeth (those that remain) with less than a cup, but yesterday, with the mere turn of a lever, the cold, clear water rushed from nozzle to drain as if over the floodgates at Chief Joe Dam. I shut it off with alarm. Same with shaving. No need to stink up the joint with water waste numbers from the commode. I walked away thinking that hauling 5 gallons at a time from our community well less than 200 yards from my door for three months, probably saved some of this precious liquid. Maybe there is a pilot whale, blue-fin tuna or steelhead out there still swimming because of this lesson of conservation practice. I hope.

Drumming. Drummers are odd. We all know that. Try to separate your arms and legs in doing different things with each. Drummers practice separation to integrate upon demand. They isolate snare (time), bass (beat), tom-tom (color) cymbal (meter) crash (accent) and floor-tom (texture) to create a feel. A feel with which others can relate. Via accompanying instruments, voice or dance. I watched a doc (Modern Drummer 2005) on drumming last night, and ogled at the skills and talents of Ian Pace, JoJo Mayer, Keith Carlock, Jason Bittner, to name a few. The doc is available on Netflix, Integration of practice. Be it a paradiddle grove or a triplet flam.

After our morning spin, fixing the water, cruising a 5K at sunset, cooking dinner with a working sink and watching the video I headed upstairs ready for some rest. I reopened my current read, Living Deeply, The Art and Science of Transformation in Everyday Life, published by the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and picked up where I left off, page 136.

Integrating Life and Practice.

The first factor is the desire to change and the conviction that practice will result in your transformation. The second factor is effort. The third factor is vigilance. Add concentration, the consistent integrity of consciousness. Next is right understanding, an accurate understanding of reality. The author Pa Auk Sayadaw a Burmese Buddhist monk, then summarizes, "once you have even a couple of these qualities you are sure to progress on the path. You will be able to shift short-term gains into long-term benefits in life." He finishes the chapter with this, "No matter what practice or tradition you engage in, you can make a conscious choice to use these tools to make your life and transformative journey one and the same - because of course, they are!

Big wink.

Photo is of the calm, cool water of the North shore of Lake Tahoe.