Starting In The Middle

My running coach puts together workouts for up to three months in advance. Each workout builds on the previous ones. So you don't show up for the first time a month and a half into the schedule and begin with everyone else who has been training all along. You cannot begin in the middle. Your body is not ready or trained for these later workouts. It cannot take the physical stress.

It is the same with training in a spiritual practice. You have to start at the beginning, do simple things. People who have no past spiritual practice or prayer life want to start out as meditators because they find it somehow attractive. They are in over their heads and will become discouraged quite quickly or find it not very helpful. Find a teacher or book that will start you off with something very elementary. Read Anthony Bloom's book, "Beginning To Pray." Learn a couple of simple prayers. Read a book on prayer by a lay person with whom you can identify. That is, their daily life is a lot like yours. Like running, you have to practice everyday. The body adjusts to low levels of effort. So does the soul. In time all will be well. Patience.