Practice Heroically

These words were used as an introduction to an amazing yoga video posted by my favorite instructors, Avery Jones (check out his studio, it's a great place to practice!). It seems a bit morbid at first glance, but it's really resonating with me lately:

"Encouraging Words" by Zen Master Guishan

Some day you will die.

Lying on your sick bed
about to breathe your last,
you will be assailed by every kind of pain.

Your mind will be filled
with fears and anxieties
and you will not know
what to do or where to go.

Only then you will realise that
you have not practiced well.

The skandhas/aggregates
(matter, sensations, conceptions,
impulses and consciousness)
and the four elements in you
will quickly disintegrate,
and your consciousness will be pulled
whereever your ancient,
twisted karma leads it.

Impermanence
does not hesitate

Death
will not wait.
You will not be able
to extend your life
by even a second

How many thousands more times
will you have to pass through
the gates of birth and death.

If these words are challenging
even insulting,
let them be an encouragement
for your change.

Practice
heroically.

Do not accumulate
unnecessary possessions.

Don’t give up.
Still your mind,
end wrong perceptions,
concentrate, and do not run
after the objects of your senses.

Practice diligently.
Be determined not to let your days
and months pass by wastefully.

I keep hearing the same three lines in my head:

Practice heroically.
Don't give up.
Be determined not to let your days and months pass by wastefully.

I can't help but think that these are words to live by.