Awareness cannot be practiced.
There has been some confusion between awareness and mindfulness.
They are related, but distinct.
Sati, or mindfulness, implies there is action of the mind.
We purposely set ourselves to pay attention to our minds. We exert effort.
Awareness is different. Awareness is devoid of any action.
The mind simply "awares." There is no action here,
only a collected and spontaneous awareness that just "sees."
Here, mindfulness is the cause, and awareness is the effect.
You cannot practice or train the effect.
You can only practice something that will cause it.
We have to start with mindfulness so that awareness may arise in us.

Thynn Thynn,
in Living Meditation, Living Insight
from Everyday Mind,
edited by Jean Smith, a Tricycle book

XLIV

Tuco considered the quote.
"Awareness cannot be practiced."

He was confused for a moment.
"Wasn't that the point, to achieve awareness?"

But, mindfulness, there was a tough nut.
"How does one act to become mindful?"

He was doubtful, all these years and doubt
is the companion most steady.

"Pay attention," he thought,
"pay attention!"

Effort builds on effort.
But to what
does it build?

"You cannot practice or train the effect."

Build the cause?
Ah, he thought, build the cause
and the effect rests in the shadow?

Where does awareness arise?
How?

When?

Briefly,
the thought formed,
briefly, aware
is
aware.

Effort builds on effort.
Effect comes
as it chooses.

Tuco turned
toward the breeze
and began to climb
up into pinion pine.
Effort and shadow
fill with fragrance
as the evening settles
round the fire
he had strayed from.

He hears Coyoté sing
as mindfulness
gathers round
the smokey fire.