There is one hobby I have that, when people find out about
it, I can almost see them rearranging their opinion of me.
They often think this hobby is too competitive or too
manipulative or too non-spiritual or too whatever…
I don’t.
Yes, I play poker. Not only do I play poker, but I
participate in the Poker World Series held every year in Las
Vegas. I am certainly not the best poker player in the
world and I get reminded of that every year, when I don’t
make it into the Top 10% of the tournament. But I am
improving every year and love love love playing.
And best of all, I use it as a personal growth/spiritual
practice.
Here’s how:
#1 – Let go of attachment to goals and results
The best thing I can do in poker is to have a show down with
someone where I push all my chips in with cards that are
better than those of the person I am playing. Does that
guarantee that I will always win that hand? NO. Sometimes,
somebody can beat me by catching a lucky card or two.
So I’ve created a practice of surrendering control every
time I play poker. I practice doing the best I can to get
into situations where I have the highest likelihood of
succeeding and then I let go of what happens next, knowing
that at that point, it’s out of my control. And if I lose,
I take one deep breath out and with a smile let go of any
residual feelings I have about losing that hand.
It’s an amazing practice. And players around me notice it.
#2 – Be grateful no matter what cards you’re dealt
When I get 2 Aces (best possible cards), I am grateful.
When I get a 7-2 offsuit (worse possible cards), I am grateful.
When I get a Queen-10 (an average set of cards), I am grateful.
When I win a hand I am supposed to win, I am grateful.
When I lose a hand I am supposed to win, I am grateful.
No matter what the circumstances are, the only thing that
remains constant is my state of gratitude.
What I love about these two practices in my poker game, is
that I get to engage in them an average of 30-50 times per
hour, which is the number of hands I get to play each hour.
It’s amazing.
This training is carrying over for me into my business
world, too.
You can put yourself in the position to succeed with your
marketing in your business, but you can’t always predict the
outcome.
You can have an amazing conversation with a potential client
that somehow still doesn’t result you landing a client.
Every day is an opportunity to turn your business into your
spiritual practice.
How is your business or your hobby a spiritual practice?
Share it with the world below…
Warmly,
~Bill
Hi Bill, congratulation for your ideas and stuffs, I enjoy your work. I have your name on the list. Keep up the good work.
Love everything that you and others shared. Igniting the art of self enquiry is a gratitude in me right now.
What an awesome post, Bill! I think you can find spiritual lessons in anything, but I especially enjoy finding them in watercolor.
People think painting in watercolor is difficult.
“You can’t control it,” they say.
And, “It’s so unforgiving!”
“You just need to learn its secrets,” I tell them. “When you do, your watercolors will take wing all on their own.”
Here are just two of my favorite insights about watercolor:
1. Don’t try to CONTROL watercolor. Instead, set it up for success. Create the framework. Then, all you have to do is encourage the water to follow the framework. The water does the painting for you.
2. Watercolor isn’t unforgiving. You can lift it, scrub it, paint over it. Adapt your “mistakes” into new and wonderful images. Or just turn over a new leaf of paper and start over. The only thing that’s not forgiving is our rigid vision of perfection.
Doesn’t it sound a lot like business, and like life? 🙂
Christie,
I like your insights about watercolor. In the last couple of months, I have been developing a stronger inclination to start drawing again. I haven’t done serious artwork since I moved to this country when I was 16. Decades later, as I learn to find more balance between my brain and my heart, It feels like watercolor is going to help me develop spiritually, or when I am ready spiritually, I’ll start doing some painting using watercolor : ) Thanks for sharing your insights, and I think we can grow spiritually with everyday activities and challenges.
I practice the attitude of gratitude when I go into a teaching weekend with children and when family matters annoy me. My son tells me something I don’t want to hear or think he should not be saying, I am grateful–something perfect to process about how I ‘think’ it ought to be! When I am teaching children, I get some that always ask, WHY? And, then I get to answer them with a smile and an attitude that they are probing me and my methods. Children and young adults are so unpredictable that they seem to be my favorite source of creativity and self-awareness tools for prosperity and attracting to myself the truths and the lies, that I may be saying to myself. When I live in the attitude of gratitude, I am grateful for these experiences in my life, my business and my om home.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s
both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head.
The issue is something not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy that I found this during my search for
something relating to this.
I shoot guns. Cowboy Action shooting sport, which is 50% mental game. Because I don’t practice as often as I should, I depend heavily on my mental game. As a spiritual teacher, I’ve been looking for a way to bring my game into my teaching, because I use so many of the surrendering-of-outcome, expanding-from-center, gratitude-for-guidance practices in my shooting.
I’m really not sure how I got on your mailing list, and this was the first email I’ve read of many that came through, and already I know of three students I’m going to send this to.
Thanks for being you, BB.
SS
So glad you’re in my world…
wow. what a kind feeling that made in my heart. thank you for following through to that way about you, BB.
Great story, I too have the same approach, and my experience is that as we apply consciousness to every situation, we do not have to think about gratitude, it is just flowing and flowing. And what is flowing with it is constant joy and happiness for no reason. This in turn means that the joy and gratitude create a space for creativity, clarity and dynamism to flow. Resulting in more success in more areas of our lives.
When we have a grateful, joyful attitude our wealth consciousness tends to shift, or health flows, our relationships become much easier and more fulfilling.
I love the notion of “joy for no reason” – that is our natural state and our internal mission is to be in that state as much as we can. Thanks for that.
Thanks Bill!
My hobby is that I perform with an improvisation troupe, and as part of my business, I teach corporate training workshops about teamwork, leadership, communication, creativity, innovation and nimble responsiveness to change – we play some improv games and see how the principles and mindset of improvisation apply to life and business. And they definitely do!
In improv, the number-one principle is “Yes, and…” – that means accepting what your fellow players offer and what’s happening right now, and building on it (you don’t have to like it or agree with it, but you must accept that it’s the truth of the situation). So in life, I tend to say yes rather than no, and accepting what is so leads to serenity.
Other improv principles are:
Make your team-mates look good (and trust that they’re doing the same for you). So in life and business, it’s about being of service and helping other people to shine.
Be present in the here and now – listen! That means letting go of my preconceived idea of how a scene, and life, should go, and being willing to move in a new, unexpected direction.
Make bold choices, commit and take action. In life and business, that means making decisions quickly, even if I think I don’t yet have all the necessary information; taking a step; paying attention to the feedback from the Universe or the marketplace; and changing course if necessary. No time for wishy-washiness.
Be spontaneous – trust your instincts and your body, go with your first impulse and let go of that nagging voice in your head that says “That won’t work, they won’t like it, it’s not good enough blah blah blah.”
Embrace failure (or if your prefer, call it experimentation). In life and business, that means I’m more comfortable with trying on new thoughts and behaviours, and learning from the results.
Have fun! So thanks to improv, I’ve learned not to take life too seriously.
Love that! I took improv for 2 years and it was an incredible tool to help me evolve. Thanks for bring me back to that.
Bill, what an interesting conversation you started? Each one picked up the thread and took it in a different direction – how interesting?
I am a Cooking Instructor with a passion for teaching people quick and easy ways to nourish themselves. I feel our physical bodies are a gift to us, and we are supposed to handle them with love and gratitude and treat this as a spiritual responsibility. Neglecting that responsibility sooner or later leads to disease and suffering which becomes our karma!
Thanks for asking Bill!! Today I quit my job to live my passion. Now I get to choose my work in alignment with what I Am good, driven by at AND work for myself! There are soooo many ways my business is a spiritual practice but today particularly the following comes to me:
There is only so much that I can plan, organize or control. Thats why I listen to my body when making business decisions. Particularly from this day, I am committed to listening to my feeling body to make business decisions.
I have a strong instinct and am committed to living in alignment with embodied self awareness as a way to live my potential. As I benefit from this practice, I can authentically support others in doing the same. That is my business goal and my dharmic calling.
My life is a spiritual practice. Nothing stands outside the spirit. Everything that presents itself is an opportunity for loving. Nothing more, nothing less.
I love the Poker gratitude Bill. I like you even more now.
My business is as an intuitive healthcare practitioner.
I have a chance with each client when they get on my table to release judgments, attachments to their healing journey and how it unfolds, knowing that I’m merely an observer yet by my observation of health the client can shift into well-being, and I offer love and compassion and kindness. I take it from Dr. David Hawkins’ book Power Versus Force. He challenges us to offer compassion, kindness and unconditional forgiveness No Matter What. And Dr. Soren Vontegaard says: “If you do not love your patient, tell them you cannot help them.” I could see this working for any kind of client. So in my practice I end each session with my version of the Hawaiian prayer (I call it the California Prayer) and silently say to my client with love in my heart: I’m Sorry and I Love You and I’m here to Observe how completely loved and supported you are by the universe.
Clients report getting jobs, raises, unexpected money and healing quickly. And after each session I feel uplifted because of how I shared from the heart and offered unconditional love without attachment.
Thanks Bill for this recent post. Practicing gratitude is becoming more and more instinctive to me every day, especially when it comes to “failure.”
I have always found it easy and natural to be thankful for the day, for nature, which I am fortunate to be surrounded by and for the good things that come my way. But surrendering to failure and defeat is a new and wonderful spiritual practice for me, which has taken a very long time coming due to the environment of shame and blame in which my culture is steeped. I used to think if I failed I was a loser. If the goal I had set out for myself was not reached, then it was because I set my goal too high and that in fact I am just not good enough to reach it. Now, instead I set impossibly far out goals for myself and instead of putting a time limit to them I put an intention to just enjoy the process. The fact that I am fully alive is my bliss, in all my flaws and attempts and successes. Being successful is no better than “failing” because the learning in humility and vulnerability makes me feel overjoyed with love for my human self. I live in a world of limitations and also unlimited possibilities. I make my way in the world as a performing artist, a singer, an improv vocal teacher, a healer, a writer, mother, grandmother, and ageless spirit. My practice of joyful acceptance is what keeps the fire inside me burning.
Thanks for the opportunity to share my spiritual practice and for the reminder to practice gratitude in every moment.
Love your post. Exercising especially yoga is a spiritual practice for me because it allows me to focus on the moment and listen to what my body can do in that moment without attachment to the outcome. It helps me in business too to remember to focus, listen, allow and accept.
When not doing life coaching, I enjoy picking up a substitute teaching assignment now and then. Even though I’m certified for and have worked mostly with middle and high schoolers, I find I enjoy elementary school students tremendously. Just today I was in a classroom with second graders. What a wonderful mindfulness practice! They invite me to stay flexible – constantly shifting attention while practicing remaining calm. My goal is to treat each of them with respect and focused attention, while being a grounded presence. Needless to say, when several kids are bopping around the classroom causing disruption, and the rest of the kids are in various states of understanding the scholastic content (can’t forget the quiet ones) it can be challenging to stay nonreactive and creative.
However, I find that my calmness and creativity in how I engage students can make it a better day for all. When kids ask when I’m coming back I feel like a million bucks (sorry, poker tie-in intended). And, Bill, I say a hearty “yes!” to your gratitude practice. Being with these bright souls offers so many reasons for gratitude.
Bill, don’t worry about the poker. My aunt Helen, 76 years old, plays poker too. She goes to church every week and also goes to bible class. She is a lovely person. She is funny, caring and uplifting. It is not in the poker, but in the person.
Bill, I love this! It makes me want to start playing poker!
People look at me funny when I tell them that ping pong is a spiritual experience for me. I don’t play often, but when I do, it is bliss. When the ball starts moving fast, all you can do is respond. My mind goes completely silent (which for me is a huge blessing, trust me). I’m totally in the moment and at peace, pure physical presence and alertness.
I try to bring this into my work with my weight-loss coaching clients. Being completely present with them in our conversations, setting high intentions, and then letting go. Thanks for sharing this example of how we do anything is how we do everything. You rock!
I teach people how to manage daily stressors. Stress is a part of our lives. The good news is that it can be managed. I get a chance to help a lot of people and learn from others. I learn to count my blessings and be grateful for all things. Stress can deminish when you count your own blessings instead trying to keep account of someelse blessings.
Thanks Bill for the insight to remind others to express gratitude. One of the greatest spiritual heart felt conscious action we can began the day with.
Wishing You All The Best
Myrtis
My business and practice is training dogs and people with positive reinforcement. Focusing on and strengthening the behaviors we want, teaching self control, not trying to control others, is the essence. Building relationships based on trust, not on intimidation.
Since forever, my hobby has been singing. The feeling of letting sound flow through me, relinquishing ownership of it, pushing myself to let it be the sound of source (however that sounds in the moment), and letting go of judgement of it continues to be an edge for me. Listening deeply to the sound and the silence that follows creates a kind of magic that I relish. As a pilates teacher and business person I am constantly reminded of that practice: listen, create, relinquish, repeat. Instead of criticizing myself for not figuring something out that is causing a client pain, I’ll bring some light heartedness to the situation. I’ll remind myself to trust that source is the ultimate guide and I need to listen, enjoy the process (even if I feel helpless), and let the movement be the teacher.
I love this post Bill, thanks for sharing! it reminds me of this Radiolab episode “Dealing with Doubt”: http://www.radiolab.org/2013/mar/26/dealing-doubt/
Love that episode! Radio Lab is my favorite podcast. And I love how you describe singing – beautiful…
Your poker as spiritual practice really resonates, for my cycling passion extends beyond riding for fitness/health/pleasure and more to racing competitively at highest level: bicycle racing has been described as combining poker and chess on wheels.
The training is a form of spiritual practice: active sitting meditation. It is all about creating the prospect of realizing the result you might aspire to. What few recognize is that the training is as mental/emotional/spiritual as physical.
THe physical is a means, a precondition, a necessary part. But the nonphysical is the key. Too few who aspire to great results are emotionally prepared for what is involved in performing at the highest level.
Yes, there is much hard work. Yes, there is suffering. And, yes , you must recover from suffering while continuing to work and then work hard again. Repeat: work hard, suffer, recover, work hard, suffer, recover.
The training…the active spiritual practice…is all about creating the circumstances so that in the moment winning is possible. As with many things, process not outcome, journey not destination, learning not grade, are the ultimate reward.
Though race results are great…and I’ve had some great wins…the lessons applied in personal and professional roles are even more gratifying and worthwhile.
This is a great message, thank you, Bill. Namaste.
I love your thoughtful comment…
I love it, Bill!
Letting go of attachment to the outcome is huge for me, no matter what I’m doing, but especially in sales. My business is also a spiritual exercise in having faith – staying in the flow as much as possible, continuing to put out the energy, and trusting that it will all work out perfectly (whether it works out how I’ve decided it “should” or not!) I’m not always successful, but the practice helps in all areas of my life.
I always say being in a relationship, having a business, and raising children are the three “pressure cookers” of personal development – at least for me!
Love the notion of “a pressure cooker” of personal development – the spiritual troika! Thanks for sharing, Emily…
I like to fish. From a business standpoint, it reminds me a lot about the art of selling. You have to know where the fish are, and when they come out, what they find attractive, etc. Now, my clients, of course, find “getting hooked” into working with me a lot more pleasant and helpful than the fish does…
Fishing is also spiritual for me because it puts me in touch with nature and her rhythms, it’s quiet, and it’s a link to a time when this was a major source of nourishment for many people.
Don’t you love it how ANYTHING can be a spiritual practice when we become conscious of it…