What Is "Practice"?

Dakini

How do you (yes, I mean *you*) define "practice"? Some define it narrowly, as meditation. I think that all the Buddhist principles we utilize in our daily life are "practice": mindfulness is "practice", non-attachment is "practice", all the Buddhist coping skills we use to minimize stress (dukkha) in life are "practice". Compassion, kindness, wisdom, you name it--it's all "practice". Isn't it?

zenff

The definition of practice:
Practice is our life, lived as the manifestation of Dharma.

Next question: what is the definition of Dharma?
Dharma is the heart (not the literal thing) of the teaching of the Buddha; spiritual liberation.

Next question: what is spiritual liberation?
Seeing things as they are; before adding words concepts and preferences to what is naturally pure.

Next question?

riverflow

For me (focusing mainly in Soto Zen), I think of zazen being the foundation from which everything else radiates-- in other words, practice cannot be restricted to the cushion. Practice should be in every moment (ideally!!!) in terms of mindfulness, compassion, wisdom, in whatever way the moment seems to call for. Reminders help, such as reciting gathas.

If there is a division between practice and "everything else" then one's practice isn't living up to its fullest potential. Like anything else, its a skill to develop, but it encompasses all our actions, words and thoughts in life.

genkaku

In Zen, there is some emphasis on zazen or seated meditation and, at least for starters, there can be a pretty narrow focus. But as time goes by, I think that practice widens out naturally to encompass more a more aspects of life.

Just my experience.

GuyC

Hi Dakini,

The Noble Eightfold Path (N8FP) encompasses all that can be considered "Buddhist Practice".

Metta,

Guy

Mountains

Life

Dakini

Life

Exactly.

Paradox

Present moment

Cloud

Whatever brings us into harmony with our true nature; whatever frees us of attachment.

Ajahn Chah said "It [practice] is a continuous awareness of the flow of your own consciousness and feelings. No matter what is happening, just compose yourself and always be mindfully aware of that flow."

Random

How do you (yes, I mean *you*) define "practice"? Some define it narrowly, as meditation. I think that all the Buddhist principles we utilize in our daily life are "practice": mindfulness is "practice", non-attachment is "practice", all the Buddhist coping skills we use to minimize stress (dukkha) in life are "practice". Compassion, kindness, wisdom, you name it--it's all "practice". Isn't it?

I agree! All that we do is our practice, especially if our intention is to act with compassion and to do no harm.

Epicurus

I never liked the word practice. I never liked the idea of a method. You can't force or schedule surrender.

I'm not even sure I agree with being absorbed in meditation for a few minutes everyday being what tips the balance.

I prefer to frame it in my mind as simply "being aware" as I go about living my life. This prevents compartmentalization. So I don't like to see it as a practice....because practice implies you are trying to get to a certain level of mastery. But there isn't anything to master really. Only something to forget an unlearn. By being aware of it all the time.

daemyo

So many wonderful responses!

Jeffrey

Dakini, I view it as that which draws me away from the eight worldly winds of samsara: pleasure and pain, gain and loss, praise and blame, and fame and infamy (being 'happening' or to matter)

Dakini

I like that, Jeffrey.