Inner Work

For the week of: March 10, 2003

Daily Goals

            We need clarity in our practice, clarity about our practice. For example, if we sit in meditation for a certain period each day, this is definite and clear. At the end of the sitting we know we have engaged in an unambiguous piece of inner work. But what about the rest of the day? Does our inner work melt into the fog of the daily routine, losing itself in the murky confusion of our associative thinking, reactive emotions, and our habitual, unmindful activities and distractions? At the end of the day, can we assess with confidence how much we have practiced that day?

            One way to cut through this morass consists of setting ourselves a particular goal of practice for the day. These daily goals can and should vary. Examples include doing some inner work like sensing or practicing presence a specific number of times in the day, which we actually count, or attempting to notice and let go of anger today, or to be aware of the tone of our voice today, or to actually taste our food today, and so on.

The important thing is to be very clear at the beginning of the day, what your inner work will be. Then in the evening review and evaluate your practice that day.

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