Monday, October 15, 2012

Getting stronger beyond obstacles and scaling walls


I just watched the above video, in which Kino talks about confronting and working with our limitations in the practice. It's a brief video (slightly over two minutes) which is probably excerpted from one of her workshops. A key point that she brings up here is that when you get to the point in your practice when you are pushing yourself to do something that is impossible or simply not happening, this is the point where you are actually growing and progressing. So rather than be discouraged, you have good reason to be happy that you are progressing.

I think the same lesson applies to many things off the mat as well. Daisaku Ikeda makes a similar point when he writes:

'When you encounter a wall, you should tell yourself, "Since there is a wall here, a wide, open expanse must lie on the other side." Rather than becoming discouraged, know that encountering a wall is proof of the progress that you have made so far. I hope that you will continually advance in your Buddhist practice with this conviction blazing ever more strongly in your heart.'

He is talking about Buddhist practice here, but Buddhist practice is life, so even if you don't consider yourself a Buddhist, you may still find these words useful and valuable. Which is why I have decided to share them here. Happy Moon Day!  

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