I have been asked several times as a Buddhist, what my practice is. As a general rule I dodge the question. I think it is stupid. And here is why. True practice is about the integration of the Buddha’s teachings into our life as we are living it from one samsaric moment to the next.

It is easy to read a little bit of the Buddha’s teaching (a few of his discourses). It is also easy to sit in meditation after a few yoga exercises. But this doesn’t mean that we are integrating the Buddha’s teachings into our lives. The Five Aggregates (pañca-skandha) of Mara the Evil One still dominate. They are the first noble truth of suffering. We are still self-programmed not to see the pure Mind even though it is right in front of us. We are still deluded, full of hate (fear of the other), and have a difficult time controlling our passions. In short, we remain prithagjana (unspiritual persons).

Integrating the Buddha’s teaching into our lives is a difficult task. It is easy to lapse. There are so many distractions around us; so many things to get us off track from our jobs to our children’s needs.

Turning to our subjective side, we have an internal dialogue going on not to mention countless daydreams and fantasy thoughts to contend with. We are beset with worries of every kind and degree. We face sadness, heartbreak, disappointments and fears. Yet it is here, in this inner jungle, that we are to seek for pure Mind. Make no mistake about it, it is here and we must find it. This is what real integration is about which is true practice. And even if we find pure Mind there is still much more work to do.