Talk Doesn’t Cook the Rice

Have you ever met someone who  talked a good game but couldn’t deliver? Unfortunately, I have. They were great on paper and could quote all kinds of information and facts. Yet when it came time to perform, they came up short. Which brings to mind this Chinese saying – Talk doesn’t cook the rice.

Less Talk, More Doing

You can talk all day long about cooking rice. At end of the day,
what cooks the rice is not talk but applying heat and stirring the pot. Talk is not the same thing as doing, particularly when it comes to personal growth. We live in an information age where lots of people have lots to say. But far too many are doing more talking than practicing what they preach. This applies to yoga too.

Talking about yoga, watching yoga on YouTube, or saving yoga pictures on Pinterest is not the same thing as getting on your mat and doing the practice. That is what cooks the rice and in the case of yoga, that is what causes the transformation.

Information is Not Transformation

Yoga was intended to be transformational. On its most basic level – the practice is designed to transform our body – making it more flexible, strong, and pliable. On deeper levels, the practice has the potential to transform our mindset, energy, and spirit.

Transformation occurs from consistent practice, energy, intention and shaking things up. But it doesn’t happen overnight, it occurs from practice. Practice provides one with the skills and experience that set the stage for change and growth. For instance, yoga provides skills to focus your mind, change your body, cultivate mindfulness and to manage your mood and energy levels. We build skill and experience from practice and application.

At the end of the day, information is not transformation. Whether your spiritual practice is yoga, meditation, prayer, going to church…. Practice lays the ground work for transformation and growth by building skill and experience, so you have the tools to do the inner work. After all - talk doesn’t cook the rice.