Staying Consistant
It is important that once we begin our practice, that we see it all the way to the end and not give up on it. Even when we think we are hopelessly floundering, we must keep at it. When we think we have reached enlightenment, we need to practice better because we are not close to it. There may be times when we honestly see that we have made progress, but that is no time to rest or stop. If you are taking medicine for a chronic condition that helps you, you should not stop taking it because you feel better. You have to keep taking it. The path is a long endless one. It is not a four year degree where you put in your time and then you are done. The best students keep right on learning long after they have graduated. Day after day, year after year, there is something to be learned, something to be gained. Even if you have practiced for a very long time and then you stop, you will start having problems. A mountain climber friend once told me that he focused on the next ledge or whatever spot just in front of him. He did not worry about getting to the peak or keep thinking about it. Eventually, he would get there. Staying consistent is necessary to keep the journey moving along. Do not focus on the peak, focus on the moment in front of you now.
