Practice

It occurred to me today that I should periodically restate my use of the word "practice" in this blog and in my life. Christians are particularly susceptible to categorizing any attempt at rightful living as piety or religiosity. This is probably due to their own regular use of their religion as a weapon. Jews seem more likely to get the idea of practice, since their religious ideals are based in the interaction of their own community. The Talmud is grounded in practical ethics. I use the word in the sense of "Practice makes perfect." I don't strive for perfection, but I do strive to make mindfulness, compassion and right action automatic in my daily being. The only way to do this is to try to do this. The trying is the practice, and it comes with lots of failure. So, should I get a little hot about an issue, I hope never to convey the sense that I know all the answers or that I feel that my practice is superior to the practice of another. Thinking that would be highly counterproductive to my practice. And, by the way, I really like hearing about the ways other people practice at being and becoming who they wish to be and become.