Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

Feathers wrote:Hi!
This is a pathetically small amount, but if I stick to it for a week it will be more discipline and consistency than I've ever managed before. I'm trying to be realistic.

Good work for being realistic! Even that small amount is nothing to be sneezed at. And good luck.

Feathers wrote:Another two lengths of the room (mostly to get some feeling back in my legs)

Hahaha good to know I'm not the only one who does that.

Good to see you're starting up a practice. Please let us all know how it's going.

LonesomeYogurt wrote:

Feathers wrote:Another two lengths of the room (mostly to get some feeling back in my legs)

Hahaha good to know I'm not the only one who does that.

Good to see you're starting up a practice. Please let us all know how it's going.

Well it's . . . let's be honest, not really going :p It's been a horrible few weeks with deadline after deadline, but term is now over, so I am going to try and get started again. I have to admit, I have actually missed doing metta.

Feathers wrote:
Well it's . . . let's be honest, not really going :p It's been a horrible few weeks with deadline after deadline, but term is now over, so I am going to try and get started again. I have to admit, I have actually missed doing metta.

The important thing is to not be too hard on yourself. Sometimes, the right conditions don't present themselves. The important thing is to keep on applying the effort. In time, greater opportunities will present themselves and take advantage of them when they occur.
Wishing you all the best,

Ben

Before you all, I make the strong resolution to meditate every day.

Modus.Ponens wrote:Before you all, I make the strong resolution to meditate every day.

Well done on your adhitthana, MP.
I wish you every success!

Thank you Ben!

Just finished my meditation, even if it was short. Baby steps.

Right here we go again. My exams are over, I've had a few days' sleep, and the world in general is looking a little better. So the plan is 15mins morning, 15mins evening of sitting - starting with present moment awareness and hopefully getting to focus on the breath. I'll also chuck some metta in at some point, but starting out with those two 15mins . . . I've just downloaded the Insight Timer app, if anyone uses it and wants to add me . . . well my name is Deborah. Not sure how you actually find people :p

Feathers wrote:Right here we go again. My exams are over, I've had a few days' sleep, and the world in general is looking a little better. So the plan is 15mins morning, 15mins evening of sitting - starting with present moment awareness and hopefully getting to focus on the breath. I'll also chuck some metta in at some point, but starting out with those two 15mins . . . I've just downloaded the Insight Timer app, if anyone uses it and wants to add me . . . well my name is Deborah. Not sure how you actually find people :p

Good job! I usually try to sit for 50 minute in the morning (between 4:30am and 5:30 am EST ) and around 35 minutes in the evening. I'll keep my eyes peeled and will make a group for the Dhamma Wheel Meditation challenge.

Hey all,

I downloaded that insight timer app, then searched for dhammawheel; KB has already made a group, so join up.

And I'm just putting this pledge out there: I'm going to renew my daily meditation practice in the simplest way possible, by meditating each day for no fewer than 10 minutes a day. Of course, I hope to grow that into something larger. As it is, though, I'll settle for this modest goal.

Yes, Khalil Bodhi has done a fantastic job in setting up the Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge and the Uposotha Club groups. I think the app can be a very positive tool for people who are seeking additional motivation, structure and support for their meditation practice.
kind regards,

Ben

I just want to share an experience of mine that has given me the discipline I needed to have a daily practice. I'm a lazy person, so for me to have a daily practice was always a nightmare. But I discovered the trick. Instead of aiming at sitting for 20, 30 or 60 minutes doing meditation, I said to myself: "well, I'll try doing walking meditation instead". So the trick is to be mindful in the time periods you're doing routine tasks that you would otherwise be doing with some aversion. For example, to go to the university I walk a good distance and take the subway. So I use that period to do walking meditation and, when I'm still, in the subway, doing mindfulness of the breath.

Not only is this beneficial in itself, because I end up cultivating my mind, but it also has the wonderful side effect of me having the discipline to sit for 30 minutes doing samatha. It's a win-win situation: time is not wasted, I practice mindfulness and on top of that it's much more likely that I sit to do meditation.

Simple, huh? Try it!

A great result, MP!

Reductor wrote:Hey all,

I downloaded that insight timer app, then searched for dhammawheel; KB has already made a group, so join up.

And I'm just putting this pledge out there: I'm going to renew my daily meditation practice in the simplest way possible, by meditating each day for no fewer than 10 minutes a day. Of course, I hope to grow that into something larger. As it is, though, I'll settle for this modest goal.

Anumodana! I'm always so inspired by my brothers and sisters in the Dhamma! Good work!

If I may encourage early practitioners: do not fret quantity of time meditating, but rather QUALITY of time spent practicing. If you are worried about how long you are meditating, you are completely missing the point!

With metta!

Zen

P.S. - Not a bad idea OP!