Practice

A Zen story tells of a singer, overwhelmed by frustration. His strict teacher insisted that he rehearse the same passage from the same song, day after day, month after month. He ran off from his singing classes.

When he went to another teacher to learn, he was asked to demonstrate his singing skill. He sang the passage that he knew so well. His new teacher was impressed, ‘you are already a master. There is nothing that I can teach you.’

He practiced so much that it became a part of him. 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. A singular developed 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 that ‘riyaz’, not only helps develop skill; it empowers mind control in terms of patience, tolerance, endurance and focus.

However, just practicing isn't enough – it depends on what we practice, how we practice! Our heart must be into what we are doing. Perseverance must combine with conscious improvement while taking our abilities one step further.

By falling again and again, the drop hollows the boulder
Practice helps to be better at rising above the shoulder!

- Pravin K Sabnis

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