Developing regular practice...

[DharmaDude]

Hello!

Seeking guidance please....

For a long time my meditation practice has gone something like this;

1. Meditate everyday for about half hour or so.
2. Meditate occasionally [one a fortnight] for about half hour or so.
3. No meditation at all for weeks/months.
4. Goto 1.

I think it's time that I really knuckle down and develop a solid and regular daily sitting practice. Although I have resolved this before, my practice always follows the point by point details set-out above. As such, please may I request any advice/pointers for how I can begin and sustain such a regular practice. My devotion seems to waver and I wonder if there are any areas/subjects I can focus on that will help inject the right amount of urgency of focus to my mind?

Thank you in advance.

Peace, DD

[bodom]

Are there any meditation groups in your area? It doesn't even need to necessarily be an insight group. I've sat regularly at a soto zen center. Practicing with others makes all the difference in the world when it comes to trying to maitain a sitting practice.

[Dan74]

Are there any meditation groups in your area? It doesn't even need to necessarily be an insight group. I've sat regularly at a soto zen center. Practicing with others makes all the difference in the world when it comes to trying to maintain a sitting practice.

[daverupa]

It probably simply wasn't written down in the list, but sila is an essential backbone to everything which follows, so that can help with finding a theme of uplifted energy. Beyond that, daily sati-sampajanna seems to be missing; the sitting practice ought to compile the daily practice, rather than being the sole practice, it seems to me.

[DharmaDude]

Thank you very much for the responses

As suggested, I have decided to re-visit a Theravada meditation group [I have not attended in many years] that has twice monthly group meetings with meditation and occasional visits by monks from the local monastery. I have emailed the person who deals with the admin and am awaiting a response for times and dates etc.

[bodom]

Thank you very much for the responses

As suggested, I have decided to re-visit a Theravada meditation group [I have not attended in many years] that has twice monthly group meetings with meditation and occasional visits by monks from the local monastery. I have emailed the person who deals with the admin and am awaiting a response for times and dates etc.

Excellent! Glad to hear.

[philosopher]

What I did when I first started meditating was to begin with a very short period of time, something like 5 minutes. Then gradually as I *wanted* to meditate more, I increased the time. I always increased it by less than what I wanted, to maintain the energy generated by enthusiasm. Now I'm up to two 30 minute sessions per day. It's definitely something I look forward to rather than a task or chore. However, on the rare day it doesn't feel that way, I still do it anyway.

[lojong1]

I would begin by focusing more on reasons for increasing regular meditation periods.

[Spiny Norman]

However, on the rare day it doesn't feel that way, I still do it anyway.

That's a good approach. I think in a way meditation is like doing regular exercise to get physically fitter, a little bit of self-discipline goes a long way.

[ohnofabrications]

Hey dharmadude,

This might help with urgency: continuity of practice is probably THE most important thing. Mindfulness basically means remembering to practice, it was obviously something highly touted by the Buddha. If you can maintain a state of relative singleness, quietness, and steadiness of mind with maximal continuity you will make serious progress.

If you are constantly dropping out of concentration to allow your mind to wander to some random fantasy, then those fantasies will never get 'dealt' with. The way things are dealt with is by maintaining concentration WHILE wanting to go off into some thought world. I would say that having the courage not to constantly 'peek' into these thought worlds is the most important thing you can have.

So, stress regularity in your practice. Both in terms of routine formal sittings and major effort to maintain off-cushion concentration and presence.

[Digity]

I had the same problem you did, but eventually I buckled down and just did it. However, one thing that helped me keeping going was seeing progress in my concentration. Over time I could see a real difference in my ability to focus on the breath. I think when this happens it's very encouraging and it makes you want to continue the practice. If you're not experiencing any of this then I can see how the practice would wear on you.

Remember how fortunate you are to even know about the Buddha's teachings and to be able to practice. Don't take these matters lightly. It's imperative that you don't waste this opportunity. You know if the Buddha was alive right now he'd be urging you to practice so I'd heed his words and do it!

Make sure you start off small. If you're trying to meditate for 30 minutes right off the bat that's too much. I started off at 15/20 minutes per day. I recently bumped it up to 25, but that was after a few months. I'll eventually get to 30, etc.