PRACTICE MAKES YOU PROGRESS, NOT PERFECT
Last week we read about the importance of practice. Now let us know and understand the real value of practice in human life. Practice makes you perfect is actually a wrong perception. It can never make you perfect, it can only make you progress which means it will make you better than what you presently are. Also many people think that they need to keep on practicing till they get things right in whatever they do. But the truth is to actually start practicing when you get things right. A real winner will follow this to make sure he never goes wrong in whatever he does.
Once you know you are getting better in what you are doing, you will know that you not only produce maximum results but your mind will have the freedom of knowing that there are minimal obstacles. At one point of time, you will know that you no longer have any obstacles because of the discipline you hold for practice. Above all once you know that you are the best in what you are doing; you will have self-respect for your own self which means you will not be disturbed by others’ opinion about you. You will not only know that you are best in what you are doing, you will make sure you practice, to be the best in what you are doing. The magical feeling of respecting your own self and not be disturbed by others’ opinion is achieved only by the powerful discipline called practice.
Let me share a beautiful incident from Mahabharata which will throw light on the power and need of practice. After the war, the Yadavas came to meet their friend Lord Krishna. When they were about to leave, Krishna requests Arjuna to safeguard them till they return to their land as there were dangers of dacoits attacking them in the middle of their journey. Arjuna, being a strong warrior, felt this task to be very trivial for which Krishna could have assigned some soldiers. He proudly said that he had won the Kurukshetra war and defeated the mighty Karna. Krishna rebuked at him saying “Remember Karna”. He then told him that every job has its own value and that he need not advise Krishna on his work. He also pointed out that every action on this earth is done by Krishna through human beings. Finally Arjuna accepted his words and decided to go with the Yadavas.
As expected they were attacked by dacoits and Arjuna realized that he needs to protect the Yadavas and started fighting. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to overpower them even with his mightiest weapon Gandiva. He tried his best but the dacoits seemed stronger than him. At one point he realized that even with all his efforts, none of his arrows were hitting the dacoits. They kept fighting even stronger and the place turned into a battlefield. This news reached Krishna and he went and fought against them and finally let the Yadavas reach their land safely.
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After this incident, Arjuna was confused at his own skill and questioned Krishna. He was not able to accept the failure of his powers that he is known for. Krishna then explained that the dacoits came to know about his capability in the first shot of his arrow itself. “Had they known you as the invincible Arjuna, they would have backed out from the attack. But the first arrow you shot showed them the quality of your skill”, said Krishna. He then reminded him of his words about daily discipline told in “Bhagavad-Gita” during the Kurukshetra war. He told him that “Nithya karma” is not something we do for the future. It’s the preparation in the present to make sure we always have a better future. It’s a discipline we do to hold our power to face the future and not to be a failure.” Nithya karma” is not to achieve success, but to make sure to not be a failure in future.
He then said that Karna was gifted with the most powerful weapon called Vijayadhanush which made him unbeatable. He never fought a war; still he used to keep practicing his skills daily. On the other hand, Arjuna who was given the most powerful bow called Gandiva from Brahma failed to practice his skills thinking that no one can defeat him.
Lord Krishna then explained, “You need to practice the skills you possess in order to hold on to the blessings given by God.” Therefore practice is important. Remember Karna. This is not just told to Arjuna but this is for every one of us to remember Karna and to hold on to practice.
Till the last moment of your breath, treat yourself as a student and keep practicing the skill you already have. It may be a thing as small and simple as cooking or drawing. Still keep practicing it daily, not to win anyone but for the joy of knowing that you will always be better than what you used to be. Even with simple things, the power of practice will someday make you a great person more than you ever imagine. So, it’s not the knowledge alone that will give you power but the power of practice will give you the power to transform your life in every aspect. Knowledge without practice can never be a power; it can only be a burden. Practice won’t make you perfect, it makes you progress.
Wishing you a life of peace, success and happiness.
Atmayogi Shri Aasaanji
Aham Brahmasmi !
