Practicing Is A Privilege

One of the spiritual teachings I study is A Course in Miracles (ACIM). Part of the ACIM teachings is offered in the Workbook for Students that offers daily lessons to practice the teachings in my daily life.

Any spiritual teaching / discipline I have come across invites the student to practice. Take, for example, body centred practices such as yoga or tai chi, the student is encouraged to practice the asanas and movements. Maybe it’s teachings from a spiritual or great faith tradition; in which case the student is invited to practice the teachings in the scriptures or texts. Maybe its meditation or breathwork; here the student is invited to sit and meditate and/or practice their breathwork.

In all cases, practicing the teachings is what allows us to imbue and imbibe the teachings to live a healthy life (physically, mentally, and emotionally). Without practice, the teachings may become merely abstractions that make no sense.

In the ACIM gatherings I host, we talk a lot about practicing the teachings through our daily practice. We talk about the challenges and rewards of our practice.

I am blessed to have an orientation toward, and tolerance for, discipline. So, practicing my spiritual teachings is not difficult for me. But not everyone welcomes discipline and the opportunity to practice their spiritual teachings.

At a recent ACIM gathering, students were talking about their practice and their challenges with staying committed to their practice. I reflected on the students’ comments and shared that I have come to see my practice as a privilege. My choosing to practice is a privilege. And I honor that privilege by practicing. Some days my practice feels better than other days. But I practice just the same. To not practice is to dishonor the teachings.

How do you view your spiritual practice? Is it a privilege for you? If so, how do you honor your practice?

Robert Meagher has been ordained as an Interfaith Minister and certified as a Sacred Attention Therapy (SAT) Therapist. Robert is the Founder and Spiritual Director for Spiritual Guidance and Co-Founder of the Center for Human Awakening.