The Role of Practice

The conceptual models expounded by various traditions differ in their perception of the inner work: some deny that to reach enlightenment is a process, or that there is any need to exert effort on the path; others emphasize the necessity of concentrated practice and meditation. This can be quite confounding for a seeker who strives to discover the objective truth of spiritual evolution. In order to go beyond simplistic views and one-sided notions on the subject of self-realization, we must comprehend the complex nature of the laws governing the process of awakening. Only by critical examination and experiential knowledge can we grasp the reality of the spiritual path as a whole, and embrace the sudden and gradual dimensions of enlightenment in holistic understanding. To seek the truth about the role of practice is in fact to seek the truth about our deepest responsibility in actualizing our spiritual potential and enlightenment. The highest expression of this responsibility manifests through two fundamental forces within our spiritual existence: self-knowledge and indeed practice.

The Necessity of Practice

Several elements are required in order to grasp the essence of the path and accelerate one's spiritual progress. We have already spoken about the need for clarity in understanding the basic principles of the path. We also have mentioned the importance of cultivating an enquiring mind and developing sensitivity to the realm of pure subjectivity. However, regardless of our level of inner preparedness and awakening, we are still certain to recognize the presence of numerous hindrances in our experience of the self on the level of its continuance, depth and purity. What we face here is the imperfection of our relative consciousness and our lack of inner integrity. Due to the gravitational force of unconsciousness - the primary obstacle in our ability to move beyond the mind and consistently uphold the light of I am - we simply cannot maintain that which we have awakened or understood, nor can we establish its final depth. Before long, we realize that without practice, conceptual understanding, self-knowledge and even the experience of awakening cannot bring us to a stable place within the inner realm. Only by seeing this clearly can our attitude towards practice become more humble and open.

Practice should be understood as an organic extension of our understanding, self-knowledge and awakening. It must not be mechanical or based on exaggerated effort. It needs be implemented in a very natural way, so that concentration and other appropriate exertions eventually transmute themselves into an effortless flow of inner abidance. The dynamic between effort and effortlessness should be aligned and balanced according to the level of our awakening and energetic expansion. For example, due to the disturbing nature of the mind and the strong pull from our lower nature, a beginner cannot afford to be too relaxed and spontaneous, but must apply a great deal of mindfulness and discipline. As we evolve, our effort becomes increasingly skilful, and in time, lighter and more transparent.

Although grace does play a vital role in our evolutionary progress, this fact does not diminish the necessity of the inner work. Practice manifests out of a deep command within the soul to use all means available to accelerate her spiritual enlightenment - an expression of our innermost collaboration with the divine will. Unless we activate our own capacity to support our evolution, how can we expect the divine to assist us? Waiting indolently for grace to do the inner work for us is an arrogant approach. It is no different than expecting water to spring from the ground without first digging a well. One needs to be prepared to receive grace, and through conscious cooperation with one's evolution, to increasingly mature into that readiness.

The Tools of the Inner Work

Across the vast spectrum of spiritual traditions, different methods and tools are offered as a means to reach inner awakening. But in all mature schools of enlightenment, the essence of an adept's effort remains the practice of meditation. Meditation, in the broadest sense of the term, denotes the effort of consciousness to maintain a focus on the self. For our meditation to be real, this internal concentration of energy and consciousness must be based on self-knowledge and a certain degree of awakening, because in their absence, we cannot relate to the self and remain confined to the plane of forgetfulness. We need to sensitively practice self-enquiry in order to turn consciousness back to its source, just as we need to practice meditation to support our self-enquiry, so that our awakened experience deepens and becomes permanent.

The nature of the inner work changes as we focus on different areas of awakening: the work with awareness demands a great deal of concentration and mindfulness; the work with the heart is based on an opening to sensitivity, prayer and the divine; the work with being is founded upon the art of letting go and the consequent vertical expansion of energy; the work with the ego and the mind requires self-observation, non-identification and the cultivation of purity.

Spiritual practice has to be intelligently applied, with sensitivity to both our potential and our limitations. Practice is not an end in itself, but rather a means to achieve a natural state, free from effort. The responsibility of a teacher is to prescribe a practice according to the specific needs of the student. The responsibility of the student is to understand the nature of that practice, and to recognize the point of its completion.

Right Effort

It is not enough to practice 'hard'. Practice has to be correct, and our effort has to be right. Practice that is not skilful can create the opposite of its desired effect - it may damage rather than help us. Unskillful practice remains a serious problem on the spiritual scene, preventing many seekers from making real progress in spite of their sincere efforts. This is unfortunate, but an important lesson can be learned here: even our most genuine efforts go to waste when they are not founded on self-knowledge and real understanding. Lack of progress on the path and the suffering that results can be seen not only as a call to awaken, but also as a call to awaken from bad practice.

What is right effort? The right effort is not always fixed; it has a fluid nature as our response to both our general evolutionary needs and to the specific need of the moment. We must be able to clearly see what we need to accomplish through practice and thereby determine the appropriate effort to make. For instance, we apply the effort of self-remembrance in order to attain a continuity of presence. Or we apply the effort of concentration to gain control over the mechanical mind and counteract unconsciousness. Only when we are clear about our target, can we channel our effort into the right direction and with the proper quality of energy.

Through right effort we are able to assist in the process of our own evolution in a highly effective and intelligent way. Right effort on the path is rooted in the realm of pure subjectivity and must directly coincide with an ability to meet our true self. It is the evolutionary movement towards our higher being that reflects our optimal contribution to the awakening process.

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