At some point people studying the Practice hear “My journey is my goal, my path is my prize.”
I don’t remember many of my teachers asking me what I wanted to learn. The few that did were more interested in learning about me and my answers could be revealing. Most of my studies involved meeting with my teachers and them asking me about things in general or if I had any questions about the previous lesson.
They would listen to me, focusing all their attention on me. If you ever want an uncomfortable experience, sit face-to-face with someone who knows everything about you, things you don’t even know or remember, who knows stuff about you that you don’t even know yet, focus all their attention on you. This means they’re paying attention to you, to what their guides and totems are telling them about you, what your guides and totems are telling them about you, to what the Universe is sharing, to energies (some you recognize and some you don’t), …
It can get intense.
And there’s another level that most people are completely unprepared for; the only reason your teacher is your teacher is because they love you, care about you and want success for you in ways you probably won’t understand until you’ve been in the Practice for a while.
But as I was saying (you think I get sidetracked now, take a class with me!) nobody ever said something like “Today we’re going to learn …” I’m sure they had things they wanted to teach me or things they thought I needed to learn, and those always took a backseat to what I needed to learn or what the Universe needed me to learn.
So we would talk, they would listen, and 99% of the time they would make suggestions regarding some personal problem I was having, something that was making my life less fulfilling than it could be. They would help me understand how to live my life better and always there would be some part of the Practice that would help me if I was willing to put in the effort.
It’s not about moving mountains and it’s not about being better than others and it’s not about being some kind of superbeing who can do incredible things. The Practice is all about being a better you right now right where you are at this moment in your life, learning from this moment in your life and using what you’ve learned to make your life better each day going forward.
The funny thing is that if you truly learn how to make your own life better then the lives of those around you get better. That’s just the way it works. You only have to put in the effort of being a better you and it’s one of those “rising tide lifts all ships” kind of thing. Everybody benefits from your practicing and learning.
So don’t come expecting miracles. They’ll happen when you ready and the Universe is willing.
Until then, enjoy the ride. Let your journey itself be your goal, let your path to expanded awareness and enlightenment be your prize. Everything else comes soon enough.
But for now. Enjoy the ride.
I love this, and can’t wait to hear what you have to say about Savoring. Living life with Intention and Mindfulness is so important and yet it’s so elusive. In your expert opinion, has it always been so?
Howdy,
First, I don’t consider myself an expert and I warn others not to. I’m someone practicing, just like everyone else.
Second, living with Intention and Mindfulness is something I work at every day. The more centered I am, the easier it is. And somedays it’s definitely challenging.
Hope that helps.
You are very modest, my Friend but also Human. Thank you!