“If you can practice when distracted, you are well trained.” So says the 21st lojong slogan. Of course, this comes only with time.
When we first learn something, we get distracted and frazzled so easily. Our minds focus too intently on getting it right. Only with time can we let go and be in the moment.
I experience the truth of this so often in taekwondo. I think learning to practice with distraction is one of the reasons why testing is part of the process to get a new belt. You perform all those forms while people watch you, and judge you. Of course you feel distracted! But part of the test requires you to let go and breathe enough just to let it flow through you.
The truth is, distraction is just part of the process. Half our suffering falls away when we simply accept it as inevitable. And that applies to ALL of life. Whatever goal you have, or skill you’re practicing, don’t get too precious about it. Nothing is going to ever line up perfectly so that you can do it seamlessly. There’s no such thing as getting all your ducks in a row. The trick is moving forward despite what all your ducks are doing.
Jamgon Kungtrul writes, “A skilled horseman doesn’t fall from his horse, even when he is distracted.” Even when our minds wander, we can keep our seat. Eventually, it takes more than just movement to knock us off. In other words, we learn to walk and chew gum at the same time. We keep meditating when our minds are pinballing all over the place. We keep going with our martial arts form even after we mess up.
Everyone has to practice when distracted. Otherwise, we’ll find ourselves waiting around forever! The lesson underneath this also teaches us to lighten up. If we feel too stressed, we allow the distraction far too much control. Shake it off, lighten up. It’s just practice. No perfection required or expected.
Distraction is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to cause a ruckus. We can just let it be there and keep going anyway. This week, instead of getting annoyed at distraction, try just letting it roll off your back.
