The Buddha introduced the Noble Eightfold Path as a way for you to live from a spiritual orientation and to proceed at your own pace toward greater freedom. The Eightfold Path is not a list of what to do if you want to become a good person. Rather, it is a matrix of behavior, understanding, and practice for finding peace of mind and meaning in your life. When you begin practicing the Eightfold Path, it is important to let loose of self-judgment, your ideas about progress, and your concepts about how your inner life is supposed to unfold. At times you will be out of balance in relation to some part of the Eightfold Path and yet continue to grow. The sincerity of your intention and the wise attention you bring to meeting your life provides for growth even when you stumble.

Dancing with Life, Chapter 19, pp. 213-214

For your reflection: The Eightfold Path invites you to view your life as practice rather than endless moments of trying to get what you want. Are you ready to make this commitment? This week, live as though you are. What you will discover is that nothing in your life is irrelevant, all of it is an opportunity to practice and thus gain insight.