Hourly practice

"In the study of Steps to Knowledge, the great Book of Practices, it asks you to be still upon the hour, to listen to where you are and to regain a moment of contact with Knowledge within yourself. When people practice this particular hourly practice, they are amazed to see how hours and hours can pass by and they forgot. They forgot to stop and to listen and to look."

"You demonstrate freedom when you remember to listen for Knowledge upon the hour, and you check yourself and your environment. This is a remarkable act of liberation, for you set yourself apart from the forces that govern people in the world. You step outside the world's influence, and pull yourself out of its current. You exercise the greater awareness and discernment which are yours to wield."

"You will find that regardless of your circumstances, there will be a way for you to practice this today. Do not let your circumstances dominate you. You can practice within them. You can find a way to practice that does not produce embarrassment or inappropriateness with others. Whether you are alone or engaged with others, you may practice today. Practice upon the hour. Practice listening. Practice being present. To truly listen means that you are not judging. It means that you are observing."

"You will find that there are many situations that you thought were inappropriate for practice where you can practice. In this way, you will find that you have the power to govern your experience to meet your true inclinations, and you will find that any circumstance is an adequate environment for true preparation and self-application. Try to practice each hour. Remain conscious of your time. If an hour is missed, do not worry, but rededicate yourself to practice in the remaining hours as you proceed."

Suggestions for hourly practice

"Upon the hour think of this after you repeat the idea for today."

"Repeat this affirmation upon the hour and consider it in light of all things that happen today."

"Remember your idea upon the hour and attempt to utilize all situations that you encounter today for the purpose of reclaiming Knowledge. In this way, you will see that your entire life can be used for practice. As this is done, everything that happens will serve you, and you will feel love towards the world. Your deeper inclinations will spark and encourage the deeper inclinations in others, and thus you will be a force for Knowledge in the world."

"Your practice is a gift to the world, for it gives that which you are affirming within yourself. What you affirm within yourself you affirm for all individuals, in all circumstances, in all worlds and in all dimensions. Thus, you affirm the reality of Knowledge. Thus, you affirm your Ancient Home while you are here."

"Upon the hour practice looking and seeing. Check the mental environment. Check how you feel. Check what is going on inside of you, taking this moment to come back to yourself."

"Each hour you will need to check in to see your thoughts and to observe your current behavior."

"Each practice period need only take several minutes but should be given your full attention. You need not close your eyes to do this, though if it is appropriate, it will be helpful. You may practice in the middle of a conversation with another. In fact, there are very few circumstances that will prevent this moment of introspection. In practice you simply ask yourself, 'How do I feel?' and 'What am I doing now?' That is all. Then feel if there is something you must do that you are not doing. If there are no corrections to be made, continue on with what you are doing. If there are corrections to be made, make them as expediently as possible. Allow your inner guidance to influence you, which it will do if you are not governed by impulses, fear or ambition. Observe yourself this day."

"This day observe your world, following the same practice plan as practiced the previous day. Observe your world without judgment and observe what you are doing in the world without judgment.Then feel if anything needs to be done. Again, your hourly practices take but minutes, and as you practice, they will become more swift, more keen and more effective."

See Also

Affirmations from Steps to Knowledge

Inner listening

Concentration

Practices

Step practice

Steps to Knowledge

The Way of Knowledge