The Practice of love #1

First of all, the practice of an art requires discipline. I shall never be good at anything if I do not do it in a disciplined way; anything I do only if "I am in the mood" may be a nice or amusing hobby, but I shall never become a master in that art. But the problem is not only that of discipline in the practice of the particular art but it is that of discipline in one's whole life.

That concentration is a necessary condition for the mastery of an art is hardly necessary to prove. … To sit still, without talking, smoking, reading, drinking, is impossible for most people. They become nervous and fidgety, and must do something with their mouth or theri hands.

A third factor is patience. … If one is after quick results, one never learns an art …  … .

Eventually, a condition of learning any art is a supreme concern with the mastery of the art. If the art is not something of supreme importance, the apprentice will never learn it. He will remain, at best, a good delettante, but will never become a master. This condition is as necessary for the art of loving as for any other art. … ….

One more point must be made with regard to the general condition of learning an art. One does not begin to learn an art directly, but indirectly, as it were. One must learn a great number of other ㅡand often seemingly disconnectedㅡ things before one starts with the art itself. … … If one wants to become a master in any art, one's whole life must be devoted to it, or at least related to it. One's own person becomes an instrument in the practice of the art, and must be kept fit, according to the specific functions it has to fulfill. With regard to the art of loving, this means that anyone who aspires to become a master in this art must begin by practicing discipline, concentration and patience throughout every phase of his life. 

In Art of loving