"We don't rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training." - Archilochus
I’ve always misquoted this quote by changing training into practice. What anchors us and supports us, especially in challenging moments, is having a regular practice. A practice of noticing, of paying attention, a commitment to learning, a practice of witnessing before we claim to lead any situation.
Yet, especially in those challenging moments, instead of rising to our practices we fall for the easy tools. We look for the easiest (and fastest) way out. We want a list of proven benefits and clear steps to follow.
In those moments, we want to know without having learnt, mistaking knowledge for wisdom.
Why? It might be our need for safety. It might be our culture rewarding the linear over the complex. It might be the overwhelming feeling that changes bring. It might be the context in which we grew up. It might be many things (this is for another blog).
For now, let me try to explain what are the differences between a practice and a “fix”, between a practice and a tool.
To fix we need a tool. To practice we need the practice.
A tool helps us fix something. A tool gets us from A to B. A tool follows a precise list of steps.
A practice makes us learn. A practice takes us on a journey. A practice is made of rituals.
To use a tool we need knowledge. To practice we learn wisdom.
To use a tool we need cognitive understanding and rational application of what we know. To practice demands expanding into body, emotional, spiritual intelligence.
The tool leads to practical benefits to solve/cope with a problem. The practice opens up to imaginative inquiries of complexity.
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What inward was ever healed by merely reading in the the doctor’s textbook? Shanditeva
Is one better than the other? No!!! They are bound to one another. The problem is when we stop at fixing and fail to practice (for more on the difference between learning and problem solving read here).
If you’re interested to learn more about our knowledge and experience and would like to discuss how we could support through our consultancy, workshops, and talks, drop us a line at fateme@rnewb.com.
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