The crux of my experience:: the way to progress

Throughout my few years so far in religion, this effort represents the sum total of my observations and realisations in relation to spiritual progression.

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Spiritual development has often been likened to physical development. If one wishes to become stronger, fitter and more able they must undertake a routine amount of exercise. The truth of this statement is comprehensive, I have come to realise following many episodes of trial and error.

Points to notice:

1. A good exercise routine comprises of small, basic exercises which are repeated daily, once every few days or weekly at the least. The body will not show any benefit from infrequent or irregular exercise even if it is a large or difficult activity. Athletes do not run marathons once a month and do nothing in between – they train daily.

2. The body gets fatigued after a period of continuous exercise, and further exercise after this point does more harm than good. The effect of this is cumulative – such that for the first day one may cope but after a week of the same activities fatigue may have set in, and injuries compounded. Once fatigued the body will require a rest period in order to recover, and may take long to return to its previous state without any long-term benefit to the strenuous activity undertaken. Athletes do not run marathons daily, they perform tasks which are completed in a shorter time, are less strenuous, and leave them feeling exerted but not pushed to their limits.

3. Athletes do not train on injuries, they train around them. They allow time for the particular injury to heal before they force exertion which could further damage them. They train not when they are fatigued and close to their limits, but when they are comfortable, fit and in the right frame of mind and body to take benefit from their workout.

4. Given this advice (that you should not train to the maximum of your capabilities lest you become fatigued and require a long recovery, and that instead you should train when comfortable, capable and happy), you should not think this exempts you from any effort except the bare minimum obligatory. If you are physically fit and there is no negative consequence that may arise from the training, you should make yourself perform your daily programme. Athletes do not just forget training when they can’t be bothered – they train their base desires to submit to their will to succeed – you MUST make a daily effort if you want to progress at all. Athletes make themselves train but monitor themselves throughout, and stop when injury becomes likely to happen.

(3 & 4 form two ends of a continuum which man is constantly moving within. We need to watch ourselves closely throughout our lives for signs that we are nearing either of these two extremes – and take corrective action when we approach them.)

5. The exercises performed routinely should encompass small exertions to strengthen the various parts in which you would like to improve. Athletes choose their training routine with an eye to the muscles they would like to strengthen – the ones which they will need in order to strive towards their goal. We should choose the prayers, supplications and other religious activities we perform according to the aspects of our spirit we would like to work on.

6. Athletes assess their weaknesses and work on them the most. They choose their training routines to iron out the flaws in their delivery, concentrating on their weak points until they are as good as everything else.

7. Athletes structure their day around their long-term goal. They organise a strict timetable which incorporates times for them to perform all necessary activities such as eating, sleeping, time with friends and family; and makes best use of their day to maximise the effectiveness of their training. They eat, sleep and socialise around their exercise, which is the focus of their day. They eat that which will enable them to train better and grow stronger. They sleep when it is best for their training, and for as long as it takes to replenish but not longer. They do not waste time. This explains how work, socialising, eating and sleeping can become worship, if completed only to the extent required within life, and when it is best for training: the entire day is spent either training or preparing the circumstances needed to train.

8. Being only human, there are times when we may give in to our desires and stop training, or eat that entire chocolate fudge cake. After this we feel very guilty, and often become demoralised and stop training altogether. This hampers our overall progress even further – momentary lapses are unavoidable but not very damaging as long as one perseveres after them and keeps the efforts up. Athletes try to avoid things that will negatively affect their training, but if they do happen to fall into one they do not give up afterwards, they keep training and make up for the fall.

9. Don’t look at the worlds strongest man when you fist start training, and get discouraged thinking you will never become as good as him. Take small steps, set yourself small intermediate goals, assess yourself according to those and your own progress ONLY. Every journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step.

10. keep going forward even with a limping leg – Imam Khomeini

11. things from the book, “Smart Girls Do Dumbells”:

1. - don’t feel guilty for skipping a day, keep on the day after
2. - something is better than nothing: even if it wasn’t what you had planned in its entirety – do whatever you can and don’t feel bad
3. - monitor your abilities well: document your start level thoroughly then compare your new results after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks etc. Any changes you notice will make you feel better and encourage you to work harder – keep thinking about the GOAL
4. - be patient with the programme: you won’t lose weight unless you exercise pretty much every day
5. - change the routine somewhat between days to avoid getting bored with the repetition – but keep efforts small and controlled
6. - power is nothing without control – do exercises RIGHT 5 times instead of WRONG 100 times, if you want to benefit

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Jan/Feb '08