Skillful Practice

This week I'll be using the Ship of Fools Tarot created by Brian Williams and published by Llewellyn. Paired with it will be the Wisdom of the Four Winds created by Barry Brailsford, illustrated by Cecilie Okada and published by StonePrint Press. Today's draws are the King of Cups and Albatross:

We need to be aware of what we are practicing in any moment. Because whatever we practice, we get better at, whether it’s the skillful or the unskillful.

―Christina Feldman

This kind and generous King appears to be offering his cup to the fool. What will he do if the fool steals the cup or throws it on the ground? Will he seek to punish him or vow never to be benevolent to commoners again? Humans are easily provoked for a number of reasons, but especially when a kindness is returned with spite or insolence. Yet this King has trained in maintaining his composure and compassion, regardless of the circumstances. He knows rage and bitterness have no beneficial results and will only destroy his equanimity. The Albatross, after spending a year riding the ocean winds, will return to his island to find his mate. In the same way, our aspirations can be our compass, returning us to our center so that we don't allow emotional drama to throw us off course.

Let my heart turn to practice.

Let practice become a path.

Let this path dissolve confusion. Let confusion become wisdom.

~Gampopa