A Haiku for practice

I love this simple 8 word poem from Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa.

It dates back to the early 19th century

O snail

Climb Mount Fuji,

but slowly, slowly!

We must start-where-we-are

We are humble snails

We need a task to get moving

Our task can be a big one!
(Mount Fuji is the biggest mountain in Japan)

Knowing that we are humble snails, we should move slowly, as is our nature

We should be patient

We should practice with perseverance

We use what we have, including our unique body’s limitations

We are not wondering if our goal may not be achievable

We ignore difficulty – slowness is our natural way – we are snails!

The joy is in the act of climbing, not the destination

If we achieve our goal, there will only be descent, so no rush!

We take our time - slowly, slowly! 

Seemingly insignificant things can be a part of something bigger

Our practice will show us the way in its own time