Dismantling the wall between daily life and practicing dharma
We should look at our whole life as practice—not only the recitation of prayers, mantras, and meditation. Otherwise, we might spend many years in so called practice and not see any improvements. There are many students who become disappointed because they don’t see any change even after many years of practice. It is difficult to be a successful practitioner without understanding how to practice properly, and this means dismantling the wall that separates your dharma practice from your daily life. For instance, even the simple everyday act of drinking a cup of coffee can be transformed into a meaningful dharma practice. Let me explain. When we are enjoying our coffee, we can contemplate how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy this drink, and how there are many who are not so lucky. We can then make the wish that everyone might find such fortunate conditions. Adding the practice of bodhicitta to any act can transform it so that it becomes filled with meaning. I have given one simple example, but there are so many ways that we can think of others as we go about our daily life. This is an excellent way to make our whole life a living practice.