Mastery is a Journey.... ...

As part of a "martial arts/meditation" class I was taking, we had to read and write our thoughts on George Leonard's book: Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long Term Fulfilment (If you have the chance, read some of his work...very insightful...)

Below is my interpretation inspired by George Leonard:

Mastery’s a Journey

Written by Nina P. (4/1/2007)

Inspired by the book:
Mastery
The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment
By George Leonard

Life, it is a journey

of Mastery or not
A choice that is all ours

of many that we’ve got

Like a child learns to walk

at first it seems too hard
Letting go of inhibitions

to change our inner guard

Step by step you’re on your way

Small steps are for a while
Persistence and with patience

you’ll be walking with such style

The path it may be long

like some great distant star
With consciousness, awareness

you’re sure to get that far

Practice and then practice

the art of your own walk
Finding Joy in the journey

that’s walking with the talk

The Master he continues

learning as he goes
Loving all the pathways,

even the plateaus

The Dabbler he may start,

and stutter, and then stop
The Obsessive feels that he

must always be on top

The Hacker may just settle

for the middle ground
Never reaching deep inside

to see what is around

The value of this Mastery

is not just a quick fix
If that is what you want,

then you can call it nix

Try patient dedication

I know you’ll persevere
For what was once so far

is simply now quite near

Homeostasis,

it is what our bodies need
Finding our own balance

it is our soul to feed

There are five keys,

to unlock the Master’s door
Keep on the path, be patient,

and there will be much more

Key one is find a Teacher

one that you do trust
Knowledge, values, and great skills

they all are a must

Then you must be willing

to learn from their command
For Master, Teacher, Learner

they change from hand to hand.

Practice and then practice

is key number two
It’s try, and try again

in everything you do

The Journey for the journey

not the goal at the end
Loving all the practice

is the message that we send

Surrender of yourself

as your Teacher has taught
Surrender your successes

is to farther your own thought

Be a fool and be humble

and surrender all your pride
Wobble and then weave

like on your first bike ride

The key to surrender

is key number three
No experts, only learners

surrender and you’ll see

Intentionality

is key number four
Practice in the mind

that’s it, and so much more

Meditate, relax

be mentally aware
See yourself doing it,

as if you’re really there

This technique has been tried

and always proven true
A Master uses vision,

can that Master be you?

If Mastery is practice

and enjoying the plateaus,
The Edge is then a catalyst

that changes ebbs to flows

Lest we be the Dabbler

or Hacker deep inside
We must reset our limits

ride the wave in the tide

For in this last key,

we challenge of our self
Striving harder, reaching higher

towards the upper shelf

Plateaus they will shift

as we reach for higher ground
Safely practice with great purpose

your presence all around

Mastery’s a Journey

a Peaceful way to live
So lift your feet, start walking

the paths not mine to give

Your life will change immensely

such energy you’ll see
Use mind and body fitness

for that there is no fee

Get up, get out, and do

procrastinate no more
Face your fears and change,

be different than before

Acknowledge all the negatives

and put them in their place
Accentuate the positives

let Truth be your new face

Be gentle with yourself

but oh not too sincere
Prioritize your life

stay focused on what’s dear.

Look down into your dark side

but not to point of fright
For humor is a gift

that turns darkness into light

So keep on with commitments

take action step by step
Set goals and keep on moving

for pep begets more pep

Put all things in perspective

keep flow of energy
Rest when it is needed

it’s all part of Mastery

Follow rest with action

keep motivation strong
A Competitiveness nature,

keeps pulling you along

The pitfalls there are many

of self they do arise
Acknowledge them and move along

for you are not their prize

Take pleasure in the practice

each moment great and small
Be fully aware of everything

use your senses all

Nothing in life is commonplace

and nothing’s in between.
There are threads that join our every act

can infinity be seen?

A Masters Journey has no end

perfections never serge
For all the paths of Mastery

eventually do merge

Relax and Center

be Fully Present to begin
Feel power, life’s force energy

your Chi from deep within

Now Practice with Great Purpose

find Joy along the way
Mastery is Balance,

Awareness, and Learning everyday