The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
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bodom
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by bodom »

30 minutes walking / 30 minutes sitting.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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BlackBird
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by BlackBird »

Today I'm going to do a lot of meditation. The only thing that could get in the way is food, Tolstoy and DW.

metta
Jack
"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this:
'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta

Path Press - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page - Ajahn Nyanamoli's Dhamma talks
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bodom
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by bodom »

BlackBird wrote:Today I'm going to do a lot of meditation. The only thing that could get in the way is food, Tolstoy and DW.

metta
Jack
I wish I could get more in. My daughter has been my main meditation subject the past 9 months.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
rowyourboat
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Location: London, UK

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by rowyourboat »

Just finished conducting the last session of mindfulness based cognitive therapy. Feel happy I can do this for other people!
With Metta

Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
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Guy
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Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Guy »

I'm going on my first ever 9-day retreat tomorrow...should be good.
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
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BlackBird
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by BlackBird »

bodom wrote:My daughter has been my main meditation subject the past 9 months.
Good teacher?
Guy wrote:I'm going on my first ever 9-day retreat tomorrow...should be good.
Awesome! Let us know how it goes :)

metta
Jack
"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this:
'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta

Path Press - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page - Ajahn Nyanamoli's Dhamma talks
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bodom
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Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by bodom »

BlackBird wrote:
bodom wrote:My daughter has been my main meditation subject the past 9 months.
Good teacher?
There is no better teacher of patience and equanimity.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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Guy
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Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Guy »

BlackBird wrote:
Guy wrote:I'm going on my first ever 9-day retreat tomorrow...should be good.
Awesome! Let us know how it goes :)
Will do :)
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
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bodom
Posts: 7215
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:18 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by bodom »

30 minutes walking / 30 minutes sitting.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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bodom
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Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by bodom »

50 minutes metta/anapanasati.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
locusphor
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Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:05 pm

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by locusphor »

Hi All,

This is a great idea and I'm happy to participate here. I recently made the decision to hop back on the cushion and make my practice daily. My next step is to get up early at the same time each day for meditation (6AM), and also to practice each night before bed (10PM). One hour a day for a month.

I'm using Bhante G's Mindfulness in Plain English to bring some cohesiveness to my meditation practice. At this early stage in my practice I do need the examples to establish discipline and order as I have the tendency to get self-confident and veer wildly off course. I'm grateful for Bhante's G's lessons, willing to see for myself how they work, and yet I sometimes feel like I'm copying off someone else's homework. I see the answers, but I'm actually interested in the steps.

Thanks all for sharing even the randomnest details of your experience. :namaste:
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bodom
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by bodom »

locusphor wrote:Hi All,

This is a great idea and I'm happy to participate here. I recently made the decision to hop back on the cushion and make my practice daily. My next step is to get up early at the same time each day for meditation (6AM), and also to practice each night before bed (10PM). One hour a day for a month.

I'm using Bhante G's Mindfulness in Plain English to bring some cohesiveness to my meditation practice. At this early stage in my practice I do need the examples to establish discipline and order as I have the tendency to get self-confident and veer wildly off course. I'm grateful for Bhante's G's lessons, willing to see for myself how they work, and yet I sometimes feel like I'm copying off someone else's homework. I see the answers, but I'm actually interested in the steps.


Hey are you copying my practice now?! :tongue: I too am using MIPE as my standard meditation text. I dont believe there are any clearer meditation instruction's available beyond what Bhante G. offers.
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
User avatar
bodom
Posts: 7215
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:18 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by bodom »

50 minutes metta/anapanasati.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
locusphor
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:05 pm

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by locusphor »

Today is the third day of my meditation challenge: one hour of practice divided into two 30 minute sessions at 6 AM and 10 PM. The time spent on the cushion is non-negotiable for me, though arriving at the cushion on time has been something of a challenge. This morning I was wide awake at 4 AM, so I went with it.

But there are some things I'm definitely not just going along with. Namely, my natural tendency to be lured with thoughts of attainments. I have allowed them enough power to distract me especially during my sitting practice. When I get to thinking about attainments I go to a place where nothing of me is present. Maybe one day I'll arrive there with my full self and will be able to see them for myself. But it will not be much of a disappointment if I never reach the plateau of attainments. Really, honestly, all I want is to do each sitting as authentically as I am capable. Nothing mystical, just now. I know when I'm watching the clock. And I also know when my practice is honest and brave.

It's been helpful to think about a lesson I learned as a kid hanging out at the local skate shop. There on the wall, below the boards was a sign that read: "Skate at your level." I didn't have to hold my breath long to find out why this was so.

I welcome any feedback, whatever you see in this, however random your response may appear. Thanks.
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bodom
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Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:18 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by bodom »

45 minutes metta/anapanasati.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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