Unique Self, Unique Journey, Unique Practice
Just as each of us is unfathomably, excruciatingly unique, so, too, will be the practice each of us adopts. This is true even for those of us who live in, say, a monastery where the practice seems uniform across all the monastics. Despite all external appearances to the contrary, the interior of an individual's practice will always be unique to that person. Our interior landscapes are too vastly different from each other for us to have identical practices.
If that's the case, why bother with learning standard practices, like breath-counting in zazen, or mindful walking ("kinhin")? One could look at these practices as a musician looks at scales, an opportunity to develop basic skills that can serve as a basis for improvisation. Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, and J.S. Bach did more than their share of scales before becoming improvisational masters.
And what requires more improvisation than daily living?
Beyond these scale-like practices, though, there are countless practices that can deepen mindfulness, heighten awareness, and raise consciousness, many from myriad traditions, many being invented even now. Many practices are perfect for regular use, many are ideal for particular situations.
A master of practice is likely to have a rich blend of both regular and situational practices. He or she may even have a practice that involves developing new practices, acknowledging the uniqueness of a particular situation in his or her life that demands a customized approach.
The practices offered here are of both the daily and situational type. The invitation is to experiment, see what works. Be flexible, knowing that the practices that may have served you yesterday may give way to practices that better serve you today.
The discovery of your Unique Practice is a practice in and of itself, requiring, like most good practice, your curiosity, attention, and persistence. Let it unfold, day after day, shifting, adapting like a great river to the unique, unfolding journey that is yours and yours alone.
Let your Unique Practice nurture you on your Unique Journey in the realization of your Unique Self.
[The image, "Julian-ola", is by the author.]
[The Unique Self enlightenment teaching originates with Dr. Marc Gafni. It appears originally in his 2001 book Soul Prints. It appears in numerous recordings of his Oral teachings found on iEvolve.org and marcgafni.com. It then appears in a scholarly journal edited by Marc Gafni, JITP 6:1 Suny Press, 2010, and in Marc Gafni, Radical Kabbalah, Unique Self and Non Dual Humanism, The Teaching of Mordechai Lainer of Izbica, {forthcoming 2012 Integral Publishers} and in its most complete form in the classic text of Unique Self, Marc Gafni Your Unique Self, The Democratization of Enlightenment {Forthcoming 2012 Integral Publishers}.]
Submitted by Tom Goddard on December 9, 2011.
