When you are learning something, if you cant seem to learn well, blame it on your mind. The mind seems to be perfectly built to be always in the past or in the future. It compulsively tries to avoid staying in the present, but being there itself is the key to a fulfilling life says Thomas Sterner in his book - The Practicing Mind.
In this book he forcefully argues that there is a right method of practicing anything. The expectation of achieving the goal makes us always think of the goal and hurry along to reach the goal. But the real thing to think about is not the goal but the journey.
He argues that there is no endpoint where everything is perfect but that we are always perfect. He brings forth the point eloquently with the question about when is a flower perfect. And this is the thing that spoke to me.
Another important thing he talks about is to not judge anything as good or bad, but be like a good instructor, who observes the student and if he is going in the wrong path, gently guides him on to the right path. And that is what he asks us to do in his DOC method. Do what you want to do, Observe how it is going, and if something is not to your liking or there is something you need to improve, just Correct it without judgement and emotional involvement in that thing. That is the path to progress.
Some other quotes that have stayed with me.
Another excellent book that has something for anyone who wants to learn without feeling rushed and be happy in the process. The Practicing Mind - Thomas Sterner
In this book he forcefully argues that there is a right method of practicing anything. The expectation of achieving the goal makes us always think of the goal and hurry along to reach the goal. But the real thing to think about is not the goal but the journey.
Most of the anxiety we experience in life comes from our feeling that there is an end point of perfection in everything that we involve ourselves with.
He argues that there is no endpoint where everything is perfect but that we are always perfect. He brings forth the point eloquently with the question about when is a flower perfect. And this is the thing that spoke to me.
It is always perfect. It is perfect at being wherever it is and at whatever stage of growth it is in at that moment. It is perfect at being a seed, when it is placed into the ground. At that moment in time, it is exactly what it is supposed to be: a seed. Just because it does not have brightly colored blooms doesn’t mean it is not a good flower seed. When it first sprouts through the ground, it is not imperfect because it displays only the color green.
When you develop a present-minded approach to every activity you are involved in and, like the flower, realize that at whatever level you are performing, you are perfect at that point in time, you experience a tremendous relief from the fictitious, self-imposed pressures and expectations that only slow your progress.
When you let go of your attachment to the object you desire and make your desire the experience of staying focused on working toward your goal, you are fulfilling your desire in every minute and you are patient with the circumstance. There is no reason not to be. There is no effort or “trying to be patient” here. It is just a natural response to your perspective. This shift in perspective is very small and subtle on the one hand, but it has enormous freeing power. No task seems too large to undertake. Your confidence goes way up as does your patience with yourself. You are always achieving your goal and there are no mistakes or time limits to create stress.
Another important thing he talks about is to not judge anything as good or bad, but be like a good instructor, who observes the student and if he is going in the wrong path, gently guides him on to the right path. And that is what he asks us to do in his DOC method. Do what you want to do, Observe how it is going, and if something is not to your liking or there is something you need to improve, just Correct it without judgement and emotional involvement in that thing. That is the path to progress.
In summary, creating the practicing mind comes down to a few simple rules:
• Keep yourself process-oriented.
• Stay in the present.
. Make the process the goal and use the overall goal as a rudder to steer your efforts.
• Be deliberate, have an intention about what you want to accomplish, and remain aware of that intention.
Some other quotes that have stayed with me.
Experiencing impatience is one of the first symptoms of not being in the present moment, not doing what you are doing, and not staying process-oriented
Nature knows what works because it does not have an ego to deal with. It is our ego that makes us create false ideas of what perfect is and whether we have reached it.We realize that, like the flower, we are just fine or, rather, that we are perfect when we are where we are and absorbed in what we are doing right at that moment.We realize that, like the flower, we are just fine or, rather, that we are perfect when we are where we are and absorbed in what we are doing right at that moment.
The second step in creating patience is understanding and accepting that there is no such thing as reaching a point of perfection in anything. True perfection is both always evolving and always present within you, just like the flower. What you perceive as perfect is always relative to where you are in any area of your life
If you think There is some place other than where I actually am now that I need to be. Only then will I be happy.” This is totally untrue and counterproductive. To the contrary, you are exactly where you should be right now. You are a flower.
Another excellent book that has something for anyone who wants to learn without feeling rushed and be happy in the process. The Practicing Mind - Thomas Sterner
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