The Evolving Nature of Practice

A student recently asked what my personal practice looks like, and I thought it might be useful to reflect and share how it’s evolved over time.

From childhood, connecting with nature was my first source of spiritual practice - and that’s as a child growing up in Baltimore City! Nature can be found all around us. Journal writing was also an outlet for self-expression I turned to from an early age.

My first “formal” practice to unite mind, body, and breath was qi gong, which I practiced religiously morning and evening for 16 years, until recent health issues no longer allowed it. Around the same time as starting qi gong, journal writing became a daily practice rather than “as needed.” Weekly yoga came 12 years later, and has also paused due to health issues. And what people are now calling “forest bathing” - the practice of being fully present in, connecting with, and restored by nature - was something that I adopted intuitively at around the same time I began mindfulness meditation practice.

My meditation practice started with retreats in the early 2000’s, then going to a monthly sangha, then a weekly sangha, before I established a daily individual practice. As I tell all my students - it’s much easier to meditate in a group, and I really encourage finding a space to do so to keep our practice consistent and supported. While my daily meditation practice as well as practicing with one or more sanghas weekly continues, and while I still attend mindfulness retreats, I can no longer attend retreats that involve meditating 6 - 10 hours daily.

I share this to say that practice shifts with life. Just as with everything in life - I expect my health issues to shift, some practices may return, and new practices will be introduced, though I expect meditation and being in nature to remain essential practices throughout my life. However, having intentional restorative practices that help us connect with ourselves and the world around us is non-negotiable.

Personally, I stick with those things that I can feel the difference when I don’t do them. It’s great to learn about and try on different systems and practices. But ultimately we should choose 1 to 3 practices that stick, that we find make the most impact on our happiness, well-being, and how we show up in the world. Whatever you do, make a commitment to it: it’s about making a commitment to ourselves, as well as to all those around us who also benefit when we practice!