The Practice Is Life: Finding Presence in the Everyday

A young Western Tai Chi teacher, early in his journey, once sought wisdom from a renowned master in the mountains of China.

He asked the master for guidance, expecting a profound revelation.

The master simply replied:

Do your Tai Chi. Eat your food. Walk. Sleep.

Then he motioned for the young man to leave.

Hearing this, I smiled, feeling the truth in those simple words. But the young man walked away disappointed, convinced he hadn’t received the wisdom he was after unaware that he had just been given the most profound teaching of all.

This morning, before writing this, my first spiritual practice was drinking tea.

Then I noticed my mind wandering, so I placed my hands gently on my belly, feeling my breath rise and fall, regulating my nervous system, calming my thoughts.

Early in our journey, we believe there is always more to learn one more book to read, one more technique to master, something else to become. We chase a destination, thinking that one day we will finally arrive, even though we don’t know where or what that destination is.

But if we separate spiritual practice from life, it loses its power.

True practice isn’t just meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi it’s everything.

The way we walk to the shops.

The way we speak to a stranger at the checkout.

The way we eat our food, wash the dishes, breathe in the morning air.

In the West, we’ve borrowed the phrase:

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.

But to me, this feels too romantic.

A more fitting version might be:

Before enlightenment: Do the washing up. Unload the dryer. Watch a movie. Nip down to the shops.

After enlightenment: Do the washing up. Unload the dryer. Watch a movie. Nip down to the shops.

The boundary between spiritual practice and normal life is meant to dissolve.

The invitation is simple: Whatever you’re doing, do that. Find yourself there.

A Small Practice for Today:

As an experiment, spend a few minutes fully present with whatever you’re doing.

If you’re walking, just walk feel your feet on the ground.

If you’re sitting, take a moment to pause and feel your breath.

If you’ re eating or drinking, slow down and truly pay attention to the experience.