The Practicing Mind - Book Notes

Book by Thomas M. Sterner

Created 24 Aug, 2025

“Master any skill or challenge by learning to love the process”

1. The Learning Begins

We do things like driving a car without much thinking. That comes from practice. Do everything from practice.

2. Process, Not Product

• When you’re doing something, ‘be here now!’ Do not think about expectations, stress, how you’re doing, etc.
• Make the ‘process’ the goal, not the ‘product’. Product follows automatically once the process is done well.

• Do not learn passively, practive actively.

• To state Bhagavad Gita (not mentioned in the book):

Karmanye Vadhikaraste
(कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते): You have a right to perform your actions or duty.

Ma Phaleshu Kadachana
(मा फलेषु कदाचन): But never to the fruits of your actions.

Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhur
(मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा): Never consider yourself the cause of the results.

Ma Te Sango 'Stvakarmaṇi
(ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि): And never be attached to not doing your duty.

• Be deliberate, have an intention about what you want to accomplish, and remain aware of that intention.

3. It’s How You Look at It

“At what point in a flower’s life, from seed to full bloom, does it reach perfection?”

• Do not keep expecting a future ideal self. Live in the present, every moment is ideal. Being here now is what most religions teach too.