Cultivation is like rowing a boat upriver: 

unless we keep rowing steadily, 

we’ll end up adrift.

Sporadic cultivation does not provide as much benefit as cultivating daily. Few of us would disagree with that. But trying to squeeze one more task into our already hectic week is, at the very least, daunting. Plus, the time we make for chanting would be so brief. How will it benefit us? 

And so, we decide to set aside time to chant and study on weekends. But even if we manage to follow our weekend-only schedule, the benefits will not prove as significant as those from daily learning and practice. 

First, we will not have the calming effects that regular chanting brings, or the empowerment to gradually master our thoughts rather than be enslaved by them.

Second, cultivation includes applying the teachings in everything we do, not just while sitting in meditation or reading. Regular teachings—even brief ones—help us remain focused. Thus, by cultivating daily, we will steadily progress. 

Lacking understanding in our practice . . .

There is no better time than now.

When I have a room dedicated to my practice, I’ll start chanting every day. When I have the time, I’ll start listening daily to a Dharma talk or reading a book on the teachings. 

These are some of the things we tell ourselves. But if we wait for the ideal setting or surroundings before getting truly serious about our practice and learning, we’ll be waiting forever. The perfect conditions are not to be found here in our world. Instead of hoping for them, we need to start right now, right here, with whatever we have, wherever we are.

Don’t have that dedicated practice room? Well, since most of us chant with our eyes closed, a fully-decorated dedicated space isn’t required—just a calm mind.

And while dedicating sizable chunks of time to reading and listening to the Dharma is ideal, shorter sessions are also OK.

We don’t start with perfect conditions. We create them. 

How? By chanting and learning every day, even if only for a brief time in the plainest space. 

When? Right now. 

Why? Very truly—there is no better time than now.