The act of living, breath by breath, is our practice, unique to each one of us and universal to all. Our practice is what we do with the life we have. In some form or another, this idea has always framed the way I live.
There were the decades that I brandished about the label of 19th century romantic, comfortable in believing that life is in the striving and the arriving is secondary. It was my variation of Emerson’s “life is a journey not a destination.”
For me, however, arriving was important. It meant goal accomplished, an item checked off my list. Age has shown me that the value of a list is in its items. If the items reflect our practice, every day is a fresh read of our life list.
These days, my list is limited to four: compassion, loving-kindness, joy, and equanimity for all in all things. This universal list is inherent in every major spiritual tradition, eastern or western. They are not items to check off but to practice in every experience I have.
What we give to the world is our daily practice; it reveals how we are doing. At the age of 90, cellist Pablo Casals said he continued to practice, “’because I think I am making progress.’” Practice is personal first and public second.
To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.
Corita Kent
I came late to practice and its heart, discipline, but I arrived. My daily practice of meditation and yoga bring me to my list of compassion, joy, love, and gratitude every morning. Some days, I can see progress but there are many days of practice for its discipline.
Discipline helps me as a writer and as a chronically ill person, as my life not only constantly changes but expands in ways I never imagined. Yet, the list that guides my life stays the same. No longer interested in striving or arriving, I perceive my life through perspectives new and bold. My discipline is not manipulating my state of being but being in my life as it unfolds.
My life and my list differ from yours yet it is the practice of our lives that connects us. Together, we are coloring existence for every other form of life.
In my life practice, meditation is more than a matter of sitting in stillness. It really is a matter of “changing postures,” as Ajahn Chah called it, bringing stillness into the chaos of every day as life unfolds, moment by moment, nanosecond by nanosecond.
I am learning to juggle rather than to struggle, no matter how many balls are in the air. I need only watch one at a time to keep all the rest in the air, allowing attention to each in its turn. It is my practice of the list that is my life.
KM Huber's Blog 
There are benefits to growing older. We are quieter. More receptive. Less competitive. We recognize that we are here to help, and to be grateful.
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I agree about the benefits of growing older, and I like the stillness the best…so far. Thanks, Adrian!
Karen
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Another thought provoking post, Karen. I love the concept of, “juggle rather than to struggle” it makes so much sense. I feel the commitment to stay with the practice can really get us through any situation life throws at us. I know you have gone through a difficult time recently and I hope the practice brings you peace in your heart. I agree, one thing at a time and your post gave me just what I needed today—that reminder. Thank you, my friend for your message and wise words. Best to you.
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Like you, I believe that the practice really does get us through, and that requires focus. As you say, one thing at at time for the multi-task approach is a scattered one at best, and for me quite lacking. Thanks for all of the support.
Karen
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Thanks for this now you’ve mentioned Ajahn Chah’s name I recognise the juggling – maybe the simplicity of knowing that’s what it is 🙂
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Thanks, tiramit. I am just beginning to explore juggling but the physical act of tossing one object high enough to sustain all others is fascinating to me, and as you say, simplicity
Karen
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I love the way you describe the expansion and freedom that you have found in your discipline! I used to always think of discipline in such negative ways, but I have found over time that using it as a way of focusing on that which matters most makes it a gateway to more spacious living.
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It does seem that discipline is the heart of practice. Like you, I held other views of discipline, which I found otherwise. Thanks, Kenetha.
Karen
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You wrote: “I came late to practice and its heart, discipline, but I arrived.” I wonder, Karen, if being “in our lives” comes as a result of striving, arriving, then feeling that something’s missing… or not complete. When I was young, I thought I understood lot of things, but now I think I know less than ever.
I love your posts. So glad you write… so glad! xx Meredith
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Thanks so much, Meredith. Your comment reminds me of the song lyric, “I was so much older then I’m younger than that now.” These days, I know less and less, and that bothers me less and less.
Karen
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May you be well and happy! With metta
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Thank you for stopping by! I really enjoy your posts but my favorites involve Little Black and Little White. Yours is a thoughtful blog.
Karen
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Thank you for your kind compliment! Have a great day! Cheers!
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was that a picture of a falcon? what a magical sight!
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Although I am far from a raptor expert, I believe it is a red-shouldered hawk. This is my third season at Waverly, and every year, so far, it is this time of year that I see hawks. I believe it is mating season. Regardless, it is a magical sight. Thanks, Craig!
Karen
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