Practice and All is Coming

Rote learning - learning via memorization and without asking questions - just following and learning the technique of something is a method followed extensively by old classical arts gurus. In fact that is how I learnt classical indian dance as a little girl. Learning by observing and by following the teacher's instructions without any ego interference. I hated it. But guess what it taught me? It taught me patience (to be patient for results), it taught me trust (to trust the process of learning) and it taught me concentration (focussing your 100% on the movements and steps). Through this method I was able to overcome the distractions and tricks of the ego. A dance class or any form of classroom is a wonderful place for taming your ego. The ego as opposed to focussing its attention on the teaching, starts questioning the value of the teacher and the teaching. The ego starts to put on its typical ego tricks like posing questions like "Are you sure?" and "That may be your experience but in my experience...." In other words the ego plants many seeds of distrust. Sometimes this may be a good thing - it serves to protect us from fake gurus and false teachings. But when you have chosen your subject and teacher well these ego tricks become deeply counterproductive. They leave you focussed on the wrong questions while compromising your presence and focus at the class that is unfolding in front of you. The ego either looks to the past or the future - but doesn't allow us to stay in the present and benefit from the teachings that are unfolding before our very eyes.

Consistent practice of anything can lead to invaluable transformation and power. My Tue morning temple visits to Durga (see below) also affirms this in a more recent and immediate way.