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.