AGAIN AND AGAIN

A Zen story tells of a singer who ran off from his singing classes, overwhelmed by frustration. His strict teacher insisted that he rehearse day after day, month after month the same passage from the same song. When he went to another teacher to learn, he was asked to demonstrate his singing skill. He sang the same passage that he knew so well. His new teacher was impressed, “Son, you are already a master. There is nothing that I can teach you… you are already so proficient at singing.”

He practiced so much that it became a part of him. So often we spread ourselves too thin by trying to do too many things at once. But mastering one thing at a time creates a solid foundation that we can then build on. A singular really impressive skill gives us the confidence to tackle other skills.

The ability to practice is not only challenging and tiring, but mentally, can be very taxing. The rich Indian musical tradition has shown in so many ways that ‘riyaz’, (practice), not only helps develop skill; it also, empowers mind control in terms of patience, tolerance, endurance and focus.

However, just practicing isn't enough. Our heart must be into what we are doing. Also, doing the same thing again and again is not enough to be better at doing it well. Practice doesn't make perfect – it depends on what we practice, how we practice! Perseverance needs to combine with conscious improvement while taking our abilities one step further.

It is by falling again and again that the drop hollows the boulder...
Perseverance helps to BE BETTER at rising above the shoulder!

- Pravin K. Sabnis