Advance without a retreat

[purple planet]

Because of pains i get in my joints i cant go to a retreat

is it possible to make progress without constant effort ?

if i meditate 3 hours a day will i make progress - or is constant mindfulness the only way ?

i practice vipasana noting (Mahasi Sayadaw) with labeling is there a better technique which fits better with not going to retreats ?

[LonesomeYogurt]

Don't overdo it! Try maybe two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening, each an hour long. Otherwise, maintain mindfulness in your daily life and practice the rest of the Eightfold Path earnestly; that's a surefire way to progress. Retreats are great but a consistent, energetic but compassionate daily practice is more important in the long run anyway.

Wish you the best!

[James the Giant]

Because of pains i get in my joints i cant go to a retreat

How come, why? I mean, why can't you go to a retreat? At a retreat you could sit in a chair, you could stand at the back if you can't sit, you could alternate sitting and standing, you could walk instead of sitting, or alternate walking/standing/sitting.
Or you could do any posture you liked in your own room at the retreat. Even lying down meditation works, as long as you find some way to avoid falling asleep.

[Cittasanto]

Hi PP

Because of pains i get in my joints i cant go to a retreat

what about a self retreat; or seeking a stay at a place that would allow more meditation time? there are many ways to be able to do a retreat and I am sure you could self guide and alternate walking sitting standing and Lying down practice for a suitable duration!

if i meditate 3 hours a day will i make progress - or is constant mindfulness the only way ?

both are benefiscial, but you need to live why not one hour a day AM and one hour PM or another amount of time?
day to day practice is far harder that monastic or retreat practice but also very worthwhile. The Eightfold path is the Eightfold path for a reason FWIW.

i practice vipasana noting (Mahasi Sayadaw) with labeling is there a better technique which fits better with not going to retreats ?[/quote]
try just being mindful of daily activities? when a though comes up that is not an intentional act bring your mind back to what you are doing.

progress is possible with establishing the correct pattern, this doesn't need to be 100% at first but that is what the aim is.

[purple planet]

Ok i will explain more what i do - i now meditated for 50+50+50+50 walking sitting in the morning and 20.... in the evaning i dont see no improvment excpet the time - i did do this only for 1-2 days and the stop and do it again -

now while writing this i think my pelvic is killing me so i will go back to 20 - but for instance i dont think i can today to do more

i will try on a chair james

my main thing is this : i want to "see" results as anyone would but i also want to have faith in the practice - so i will feel good enough to teach my two grandparents before its to late - so i do have some urgancey in this - BUT even without this its hard for me to see progress - the only progress i had was being able to sit longer (50) but now that is gone also

[LonesomeYogurt]

Don't worry about time; especially with the Mahasi method, it's far more valuable to have twenty minutes of mindful practice than fifty minutes of painful, slow practice. Try setting a slightly challenging but sustainable goal, like thirty minutes walking and thirty minutes sitting twice a day, and stick to that. You don't need to be enlightened to teach your grandparents anything

[Cittasanto]

Ok i will explain more what i do - i now meditated for 50+50+50+50 walking sitting in the morning and 20.... in the evaning i dont see no improvment excpet the time - i did do this only for 1-2 days and the stop and do it again -

now while writing this i think my pelvic is killing me so i will go back to 20 - but for instance i dont think i can today to do more

i will try on a chair james

my main thing is this : i want to "see" results as anyone would but i also want to have faith in the practice - so i will feel good enough to teach my two grandparents before its to late - so i do have some urgancey in this - BUT even without this its hard for me to see progress - the only progress i had was being able to sit longer (50) but now that is gone also

be consistent, stick to a duration you can keep to.