What it Means to Have a Practice
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WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A PRACTICE |
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Hi Everyone,
Last fall I began practicing meditation with a focus on mindfulness. Lest you think I am now some Zen master floating on a mountaintop, meditation for me is about returning to simple things like focusing on the breath and feeling grounded in your own body. I like the UCLA meditation app. It's easy for beginners, down to earth, and there is no pressure to understand the meaning of the universe. It's just about being present and not getting lost in your head.
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I have been wondering lately if there's any relationship to my painting practice and my meditation practice. What I have come to realize is nothing really earth-shattering, but I do think it's profound in its own way. With meditation 90% of it is just being comfortable with the way the mind wanders and gently returning to the breath or the sounds in the room. With painting a big part of it is also returning to the present moment, usually by backing up to see the painting as a whole or remembering to clean my brushes. Both meditation and painting involve simple adjustments. The hard part is not getting flustered when things go off course, and gently returning to your focus. |
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I define "practice" as repeating something that you most likely will never do perfectly while being aware that there is value in trying to improve over and over again. I want my children to have some sort of practice as well, something that they work towards consistently. My son was running cross-country. Even though he was out of breath at the beginning, breathing like he was about to pass out, I took pride in watching how he eventually got the hang of it. I enrolled my daughter in singing lessons and I love seeing how each week she grows a little more confident and surer of herself.
Whether you are levitating on a mountain top or you forgot to breathe because you wanted to plan dinner, I hope that you have a wonderful day. |
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