A goal in practicing

Hah, well I just saw a very similar topic in the Self-Discovery section: http://www.gnosticweb.com/node/12836. I haven't read through the forums in a while!

There are some good points in there, like Gabrielle's regarding setting goals which aren't too easy and not unrealistically hard. But I guess what I'm referring to here is a bit more specific, related to spiritual practices themselves.

All input welcome.

Hey Mate,

I hear you. Practice after practice after practice its very easy to get in a rut where I am doing the practice the same way with the same or lesser results.
I have been looking into this and there seems to be for me a critical part, this being approach. Many practices for me are ruined before they begin. Whether this is due to my approach being the same as before-therefore the results will only be the same or there is just no inspiration to explore.
I really need to locate within the inspiration and sheer delight of wanting to explore as well as forgetting the practices previously. This naturally allows me to take a different path within the practice where things are done differently and one fueled by joy and childlike curiosity. Then there is no limit set by the mind or by repetitiveness as I am actually functioning on a different level.
Now I just have to work out how to find that more often rather then on rare occasions.

Hi Jon,

When I realize that a practice is empty, like most of the practices that I do at this point, I begin from the begining. I will now introduce a retrospection of every practice at its end.

If there is an obstacle with something, then there must be an ego somewhere, so doing a meditation on what might be the ego which is causing this stagnation in our practices should be helpful.

I do not know what else can be done untill I put to practice what I have mentioned, because to many good intentions would be a form of self-escape from actually doing something, so perhaps it is better to start trying approach by approach and see what it gives.

Strength in overcoming the entropy.

Hi Jon,

The other day when i started to do the mantra O practice, I was really trying to concentrate because I knew that I would need to rely on intuition that day. The outcome of strengthening my intuition was really motivating because I was keeping in mind how it would benefit me. So, I think that reflecting on the outcomes can help with this.

Thanks guys.

Good ideas - finding inspiration, starting practices as a fresh beginning, and having the end result as something which is really wanted.

It's great when practices are enjoyed, when things go well. And then when things aren't working extra efforts are needed until they are. The main problem being that blindly forcing ourselves to try to get there usually makes for more resistance and greater problems.

There's a balance that needs to be found to create strength within and become a source of strength for others.

All the best and adios for now.

Hi Guys

Great comments and suggestions.

The only additional comment I would make is the importance of seeking help from and embracing the divine within.

Far to often I have thrown myself at a practice or some task in life with little or no effect. Yet the moment I remember the true source of my strength, ask for help, and focus on sincerely investigating the practice with growth in mind, the door is opened and I am provided with the learning I require.

Wishing you all much strength
Cliff