In our daily lives, we get many reminders to practice non-attachment and equanimity: when it's time for our regular prayers or when it's time to visit a place of worship, or when we see a sign or mark, and so on. However, sometimes (in fact, many times), we fail to practice. In these cases, the reminder system has failed.

What makes us fail to practice even when reminded to practice?

1. Sometimes, our monkey-mind (restless, 'chanchal', uncontrollable) is unable to sustain focus on the main practice (acceptance, non-attachment or equanimity) or the task at hand (the action we're doing). Instead, the mind is busy with something else: replaying some conversation in the past, or thinking about something in the future.
2. Some people have become habituated to respond to a reminder by doing the action associated with that reminder but without their heart in it. For example, one could recite a prayer orally or visit a place of worship but without making an effort to generate positive feelings inside. Or one could adorn certain clothes, signs or ornaments would remind them that they should practice acceptance, non-attachment or equanimity, but that person is habituated to not practicing; they ignore the reminders.
3. Many people have not yet had the opportunity to actually understand and learn the main practice (acceptance, non-attachment and equanimity). Such persons participate in prayers, festivals and visit places of worship because it is customary to do so in their family, or because it is a cultural norm.

The practice of acceptance, non-attachment and equanimity is an internal practice. The internal practice may or may not be present when we are doing actions. Sufi & Bhakti poets emphasize that it's not the action but the internal practice that is critical.

• Mala To Kar Mein Phire (the hand moves on the rosary)
• Jeebh Phire Mukh Maahi (and the tongue moves in the mouth)
• Manva To Chahu Disha Phire (but the mind moves in various directions;)
• Yeh To Sumiran Nahi (this is not the correct way to practice ('sumiran' / 'simran' / 'smaran' literally means constant remembrance of God))

• Parh Parh Ilm (by reading copiously, by getting educated), Te Faazil Hoya (you have become knowledgeable).
  
• Te Kaday (but never), Apnay Aap Nu (yourself), Parhya Naai (studied). In other words, 'but you never studied yourself'.
  
• Bhaj Bhaj (repeatedly, you scamper), Wadna Ay (enter), Mandir (temple), Maseeti (mosque). In other words, 'time and again, you scamper towards and enter places of worship'.
  
• Te Kaday (but never), Mann Apnay (your own heart), Wich Warya Ee Naai (did not enter). In other words, 'you never entered (delved into / studied) your own heart'.
  
• Larnaay (you fight), Roz (every day), Shaitaan De Naal (with evil / the Satan). In other words, 'you fight every day to vanquish evil in the world outside'.
  
• Te Kade (but never), Nafs (ego / 'I'), Apnay (your), Naal (with), Laryaee Naif (did not fight). In other words, 'but you never fought your ego to vanquish it'.
  

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