Imperfect Accommodations

[JustGeorge]

Well, I did it! I grew Tulsi from seed, in a pretty ceramic elephant planter.

Though it seems to be thriving, I looked up a bit on any extra things I'd need to do to care for such a sacred plant. Full sun? Check. Water daily? Check? As per Vastu, place in North or North East, never South.

Well, heck. Its in the South. And, that's the only place I can put it. Because if I move it out of the Prayer Closet, its going to become cat food. Besides, a giant maple makes the North side of the property very shady, making even grass grow very slowly.

I decided that the Tulsi is fine where it is; better in the direction of fire than in the direction of cat belly. But sometimes I feel disappointed when I can't do things exactly 'right'.

Do you ever encounter similar situations in your practice? How do you manage? Ignore it, compromise, or avoid practices you can't do 'perfectly'?

 

[Cino]

I'm an empty-hand kind of practitioner, which takes care of part of the issue for me.

Regarding ritual, I'm of the opinion that the specifics are arbitrary, what makes it "work" is the intent, the build-up, the artistic execution, and how I am able to go with the flow.

For example, part of my daily practice is the recital of a set of verses significant to me. If I miss a word or mess up the prosody, I don't mind, as long as the poem come out "right", in a very subjective sense.

 

[JustGeorge]

I'm an empty-hand kind of practitioner, which takes care of part of the issue for me.

"empty-hand kind of practitioner" I have an idea what you mean, but would you mind clarifying? I want to make sure I'm understanding correctly.

Regarding ritual, I'm of the opinion that the specifics are arbitrary, what makes it "work" is the intent, the build-up, the artistic execution, and how I am able to go with the flow.

For example, part of my daily practice is the recital of a set of verses significant to me. If I miss a word or mess up the prosody, I don't mind, as long as the poem come out "right", in a very subjective sense.

Experience has told me the same thing. I think my own internal disappointment when I cannot do things to the letter is a struggle I have to let go of perfectionism.

 

[Cino]

"empty-hand kind of practitioner" I have an idea what you mean, but would you mind clarifying? I want to make sure I'm understanding correctly.

I don't use anything in terms of ritual tools or furniture. While I do like to meditate in a few favorite spots, in general, my practice is very portable, and anything I might need beyond a space to do it can be easily improvised. Some of my friends like to use elaborate paraphernalia, and on our meet-ups I enjoy participating in occult activities that have all the things, bells, candle sticks, diagrams, malas, incense burners... but my style is, as I said, empty-handed.

think my own internal disappointment when I cannot do things to the letter is a struggle I have to let go of perfectionism.

If you're going to let go of perfectionism, you need to do it properly and very thoroughly

 

[JustGeorge]

I don't use anything in terms of ritual tools or furniture. While I do like to meditate in a few favorite spots, in general, my practice is very portable, and anything I might need beyond a space to do it can be easily improvised. Some of my friends like to use elaborate paraphernalia, and on our meet-ups I enjoy participating in occult activities that have all the things, bells, candle sticks, diagrams, malas, incense burners... but my style is, as I said, empty-handed.

That's what I suspected you meant. Good to make sure, though.

I think I lean towards enjoying tools and finding them to be some what enriching, but not necessarily requiring them.

If you're going to let go of perfectionism, you need to do it properly and very thoroughly

Thankfully, I have an inner lazy bum that keeps the perfectionist in check!

 

[Cino]

That's what I suspected you meant. Good to make sure, though.

The term has some other meanings I'm aware of - something like, no secret teachings? Was that what you also had in mind?

If so, then I'm that, too, and my friends as well, even those with the big suitcase full of fascinating trinkets.

 

[JustGeorge]

The term has some other meanings I'm aware of - something like, no secret teachings? Was that what you also had in mind?

If so, then I'm that, too, and my friends as well, even those with the big suitcase full of fascinating trinkets.

What you said was exactly what I had in mind.

I hadn't suspected the idea of 'no secret teachings'.