During a recent conversation with my friend and art curator/ framer Gibson Glass, the subject of embracing the process of the practice arose. This was in context to the disciplined yet therapeutic process of creating art and music, which led to the topic of gardening (something I’m trying to learn more about), to yoga, and I suppose, to life in general.

In a society often fixated on “the final product”, I occasionally find myself drifting away from appreciating and working with the present moment. I catch myself becoming overly elated when things go “according to plan” and foolishly disheartened when they “fall apart”. I sometimes seek satisfaction in projected outcomes, which are often not established and unstable, instead of discovering the contentment at hand.

I certainly have many clear goals as an artist and yoga practitioner. Yoga and creative practices, however, have helped me better understand the beauty of trying to innovatively work with the resources at hand and how this process generally constructs the sturdiest foundations for any ambitions. These practices, or sadhanas, assist me in becoming less attached to the “end result”.

In yoga, there are two synonymous Sanskrit words for constant and determined study/ practice. These are sadhana and abhyasa. The following is an aphorism from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika that has been particularly inspirational and grounding to me.

“The young, the old, the extremely aged, even the sick and the infirm obtain perfection in Yoga by constant practice. Success will follow him who practices, not him who practices not. Success in Yoga is not obtained by mere theoretical reading of sacred text. Success is not obtained by wearing the dress of a yogi or a sanyasi (a recluse), nor by talking about it. Constant practice alone is the secret of success. Verily, there is no doubt of this.”

- Hatha Yoga Pradipika,
chapter I, verses 64-6

Speaking of enjoying the process and my attempt to garden (I have a bad track record), my brother and I recently planted a little pot of basil seeds in our kitchen. Caring for these little herbs has become an enjoyable practice for me. I am so pleased to witness the seedlings’ development that I have almost forgotten about my vision of homemade pesto.

Finally, please check back over the next 2 days for a special post about my friend/ teacher’s sadhana. It will feature inspirational paintings, more about yoga, and more.