The Four Daily Practices

The Four Daily Practices

Slowing

Savoring

Praying

Pruning

About the Practices

One of Little Creek Monastery’s monks developed this practice. Below is an explanation of what he envisions each term to convey.

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Q. What is Slowing?

A. It’s less about fasting (going faster and faster, being competitive, being first), and more about slowing down and becoming greater through the opening of the mind and heart. Slowing can also be seen as relaxing.

Q. What is the Spirit of Savoring?

A. To quote the Tao, “We will dance, while we’ve still got feet.” Savoring incorporates the principles of The Art of Giving which are respecting and appreciating, having gratitude for and valuing. It’s about dwelling in or within.

Q. How is Praying Related to Meditation?

A. We think there is a simple way to sum this up: “Listening to my breath, I am reminded that it is the world which breathes me.” In other words, through meditation we learn to connect to that which is bigger, to that in which we are contained.

Another perspective, however, is to view meditation as the inhale or the inspiration, and prayer as the exhale or the expiration, i.e., prayer is the outcome, the action. The entire process becomes one of transformation, the transformation of the divine into the human, of the spirit into the practical. It’s about putting concepts into action.

Q. Is the Term ‘Pruning’ expressing the idea of simplifying?

A. Yes. For example, “When I forget my ways, I am in The Way.” Pruning is very much about letting go, trimming the waste, recognizing that there are seasons (in the calendar and in our life) which allow things to fall away and decay. It can also be thought of as similar to weeding a garden.