A practice is something you commit to doing consistently with a goal of improving at it. You’ll never get it perfect, that’s why it’s a practice.
Creative work is a practice. Yoga, exercise and meditation are also practices.
5 Levels of Practice
I have found that my physical practice often illuminates patterns that apply to my creative and cognitive practices.
But what, exactly, is involved in practice?
Here are 5 levels of practice that I’ve identified in my physical practices. These levels can also apply to any practice.
Level 1 is the practice of moving through my mind’s resistance to train.
Any worthwhile practice typically will catalyze resistance to that practice, especially on your way to do it.
I almost never want to workout or meditate or write.
I know that if I can get it out of the way long enough to get out the door and get to the gym, whatever resistance my mind is presenting will generally recede to the background long enough for me to do a workout.
Level 2 is the physical practice of moving my body. Doing the exercises and training whatever I’m training.
In a creative practice it would be the act of creating, in whatever medium you choose: writing, painting, speaking, filming video, practicing your musical instrument, and so on.
Level 3 is noticing the physical sensations that arise.
During a workout, my body sends sensations.
Often, a cascade of tears flows. Sometimes the tears are in response to the physical pain; other times they are a result of the frustration I feel at not being able to move well, and of having so much difficulty despite so much practice.
Level 4 is noticing the thoughts, beliefs, and stories that arise in reaction to the physical sensations, and the emotions that follow from those stories.
When my brain registers the sensations from my body, my mind immediately jumps to the conclusion that something is wrong; it then sends a signal to the body to stop moving.
This creates a feedback loop where my body freezes, moving it produces pain, my mind interprets pain as a reason to stop, and my body freezes.
As a result, I notice I often go into a story about whether the practice is working, or whether I’m making progress or regressing. I might feel angry or frustrated as a result. Or, if I think the sensations indicate I’m working the right muscles, I might feel joy.
Level 5 is accepting the physical sensations for what they are without going into the story. This involves letting go of the story my mind is telling about, and the meaning it is giving to, the sensations.
Each of these levels is a practice of its own.
Love it? Hate it? What do you think? Don't hold back...