Practices    (Patipatti) Examining Rupa and Nama               It is important that the yogi understand that rupa or nama must always be the object of the practice. Even with strong earnestness (atapi), the yogi cannot succeed without having rupa or nama always in his awareness. The practice, however, should not be too difficult, if the yogi really understands the practice.             Rupa and nama should be examined completely before practice. So the yogi will easily recognize which is which. It is like learning to read: the student must know the alphabet before he can read. Similarly, the yogi must know rupa and nama so he can practice with result. If we don't have rupa and nama as an object continuously in practice, we will practice with the idea that "I suffer" , for example, and we won't be able to get rid of the conceit of self.