Practise Makes Perfect

After learning classical dance for seven years, I still didn’t feel confident enough to teach it. Instead, I had taught semi-classical and contemporary dance for many years, which both my students and I thoroughly enjoyed.

When I became pregnant, I had to discontinue both dancing and teaching. After five years, I joined a nearby Western contemporary dance class to brush up on my skills. Learning was so much more enjoyable than teaching. The instructors were paid handsomely, and their classes were full, with 25 students in each batch.

I assumed these instructors must have trained for more than ten years to be so skilled. One day, I asked my instructor, “How long did you train in this dance form?”

The instructor proudly replied, “For three years.”

I was shocked. “How is this even possible?” I inquired. “How did you manage to become so good in just three years? Normally, it takes many years to master.”

He explained, “It wasn’t just three years. We practiced for three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening every day, continuously for three years without fail. It wasn’t easy. Almost everyone got injured at some point, but we kept pursuing it through hot and cold climates and difficult circumstances.”

I realized how challenging it must be to practice dance for 5 to 6 hours daily. If I can do the same for my meditation practice I can reach the same level of mastery. Everyone has some or the other passion in life and this is mine to attain silence like my teacher. Our passion drives us to keep practicing in such a committed way; otherwise, no one can pursue it so passionately. I set my timetable to practice meditation. While not as intense, I knew what needed to be done to achieve my goals.