Coming back is the practice
I do a 30 day practice once a year, usually in January, and I have for over ten years. This isn't about building a habit.
I do a 30 day practice once a year, usually in January, and I have for over ten years.
There are studies about how long it takes to build a habit, they suggest different things, and what they mostly agree on is that it depends on the person and on the habit. This isn't about building a habit …
It's about giving this time to yourself and to your practice, consistently and with discipline. Discipline doesn't mean forcing it. It doesn't mean struggling through. It doesn't mean punishing yourself for missing a day, or deciding something about your worth because you skipped a few sessions. It's about seeing what happens when you stay with it, including the part where you think you've failed. Coming back is the practice. Especially when you've broken the streak.
I have wanted to do this as a teacher since I became one. This year I decided to teach it on Insight Timer, every morning in August. Teaching a month asks for a different kind of dedication than practising one, because I'm not only showing up for myself. And knowing I've made that commitment is what gets me there on the mornings I would have talked myself out of. Teaching every day also means I practise every day, which is an added bonus, and seeing everyone show up is the most motivating part of it.
We are almost halfway, which is a fine place to start. Practise with me for the rest of the month, whatever you can make of it. Sessions are 20 to 30 minutes, 7:30am Atlantic on weekdays and 8:00am on weekends.
I always have an espresso before I practice in the morning. Some people will tell you that's wrong.
And if mornings don't work, I'm posting the daily practices on YouTube. Start any time, in any order, on any day you like. Just pick a practice that calls to you that day and hit play.
Thank you for practising with me!
May your thoughts be kind, may your words be caring, and may your heart be filled with love and gratitude.