Welcome to the Ageless Podcast

The sources characterize The Practice (Ha-Tirgul), or Praxis with a capital P, not merely as physical exercise or training, but as a path toward deep internal transformation and self-evolution. Within this profound context, both the required Practice Mindset and the resulting Internal State are radically redefined.

The Context of The Practice (Ha-Tirgul)

The Practice (Ha-Tirgul) is differentiated from ordinary exercises or training (Tirgulim). Training is typically undertaken from a "stable place" to achieve a known goal (e.g., becoming a fighter or musician). In contrast, The Practice is defined as the recognition of fundamental instability. It is the essential path to reaching a stable, steadfast, and present place within oneself.

This path involves focusing on the connection between external movement and internal movement. Ido Portal views the Practice as the highest level of almost any discipline or system, involving the steering of one's self-evolution, and ultimately, joining the continuous process of Practice engaged in by the entire universe

 Ido Portal identifies himself as an international guru for movement and dealing with the body. His philosophy fundamentally rejects the idea of separating the self from the body, a concept he notes has persisted since Descartes.

Critique of Body-Self Separation:

• Portal argues that the body is not merely a tool or a sketch, but an essential and cardinal part that cannot be separated from the self. He emphasizes the linguistic trap of referring to the body as "mine" (as in, "my body") because "The body is me, it is not mine". Language itself, he suggests, has created this separation.

• The fundamental mistake people make is having a narrow view and treating their body like a slave, demanding changes (often through restrictive training or chemicals) without providing the necessary groundwork.

• When people engage in activities, they are often not truly present in the experience. This lack of intentional presence is a crucial failing in modern physical activity.

Defining Movement and Practice: Portal consciously chose the terms movement and practice to broaden the scope beyond traditional training definitions.

1. Movement: Movement is a much larger concept than mere physical training. It includes all aspects of physical training, sports, dance, the somatic world, and fighting. It also encompasses movement of thoughts and feelings. Movement is not physical itself; rather, it leaves behind physical movements and a trajectory.

2. Practice: Practice is described as the most powerful word available to a human being. It is "the word of the Absolute" and the device for everything, noting that evolution is an aspect of practice.

    ◦ Practice is a point of view, involving deep responsibility for one's self, leading to discovery and development.

    ◦ Portal defines practice simply as "working on myself".

    ◦ He suggests that all other preoccupations are secondary, and the purpose of understanding and learning must lead to a behavioral application in practice