20 Jun Practice Without Gaining Mind
“Practice without gaining mind,” from Buddhism, reminds us to meditate without attaching to the results, without grasping for meditation experiences or states. It invites us to simply be present.
“Practice without gaining mind” might have even more resonance for Westerners who have deep conditioning in doing rather than being.
When we’re new to meditation, we may become aware for the first time, of our own tendencies and conditioned behavior to achieve, to compete, to win at all costs, to perform, or simply to try too hard.
These behaviors are likely strategies we adopted to survive and thrive that our families, educational institutions, workplaces, and culture rewarded.
As meditators, we witness these behaviors from a more expanded perspective. In this “light of awareness,” the tendencies and behaviors sometimes dissolve, or a process of unlearning them is launched.
“Practice without gaining mind” is likely counter-intuitive and a koan for those who have been conditioned to achieve, to succeed, and to live in a constant state of striving. (By koan, I mean an idea the mind can’t grasp…. but if held in awareness, can create a breakthrough to a deeper understanding.)
The inner journey we take as meditators is not about gaining or becoming something we are not. It’s a process of letting go of the habits, tendencies, and conditioning that prevents us from being our truest Self.
When you sit to meditate, part the jaws and release tension in your face. Soften the body and release any holding or tensing of your muscles. Breathe into any areas of your body that feel constricted.
When your attention is drawn to thoughts, just gently bring your awareness back to the breath, the mantra, or whatever centering technique you’re using to concentrate your awareness.
During meditation and afterwards, it’s helpful to maintain a nonjudgmental attitude towards yourself and your meditation practice regardless of what has occurred. Just feel good that you sat and did something that was beneficial for yourself.
While the phrase “practice without gaining mind” applies to meditation, it’s also good to approach the physical yoga practice with a similar spirit of non-attachment.
It’s good to make your best efforts in every pose, while letting go of any self-judgment. It’s helpful to cultivate the habit of observing or witnessing your thought stream, your self-talk, during the physical practice. Is it critical or encouraging? Does it cause you to feel defeated or inspire you?
Over time, you may start to notice this healthy tendency to let go of self-judgment after you have made your best efforts, permeating other areas of your life, at work and at home.
I recall such a moment shortly after I started practicing yoga in 2005. Throughout class, the teacher had reminded us to make our best efforts and surrender, to let go of any rumination.
Back in my office, I noticed myself scrutinizing a piece of work I had completed for a client. I recall the moment I realized, “I can just put this down and shift my attention to something else.” Freedom!
In this way, the physical yoga practice is also an awareness practice that reinforces a skillful, empowered, more free way of being in the world.