Q. Is it preferable not to have children for better practice? When I was single, my practice was very good. But after marriage I can’t practise as hard as before marriage.

Q. Is it preferable not to have children for better practice? When I was single, my practice was very good. But after marriage I can’t practise as hard as before marriage.

A. You seem to think that you won’t be able to practise as usual when you have children, because you have to allocate time and attention to them, rather than your practice. You can have such an idea when you think that practice is only sitting upright in a quiet place.

You should know that keeping curiosity about what is driving your body to do what you are doing is no other than practice. When eating, ask yourself what is making your body eat. When struggling with your children, ask yourself what is controlling your body then. If you can practise in this way, you can’t stop practising even for a moment whatever you may do. Having children might change the manner of your practice but can never shorten the time of your practice if you are determined to continue it.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway

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