90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

[A Work in Progress]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

Hi Peace, glad you had a good trip! I like what you said about quiet: "You don't expect quiet, you practice with it... " As with all of life, right? Once we begin to get the hang of acceptance, we are moving into what I call being "grown up," we are stopping the childish stamping of our feet on the ground when things are not going the way we want them to. Not to say, by any means, that it is easy, or that I (for example) am a Master at Acceptance, by any means, but that it helps me tremendously to have some understanding of how much easier life is when I quit struggling with/against the parts that I don't like. That kind of struggling is just a waste of energy and gets all of our "afflictive emotions" into an uproar.

Hey, Deebs, I have had many a meditation session, too, when all was chaotic inside me, and I felt like I had "accomplished" nothing. That's OK, of course. Someone once said that a session of that sort is like trying to stay on a bucking horse till the buzzer goes off. Just staying on the cushion is a big "win" for me, sometimes... and, of course, it really isn't about winning or accomplishing anything...

I have been loving these mornings in Florida. I get up really early, just before sunrise, and do my formal sitting, then move out into the living room, with some coffee, watching the sun rise, watching the lake and the birds: cranes, ospreys, herons, ducks... it's just wonderful.

Back to Kansas City, tomorrow. It will be great to see my doggies.

[peacenik]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

sounds lovely wip!

sat for 10 minutes and was at peace and felt centered...

peace!~

[nancy]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

sitting again!

i got off track for a few days but right back on it!
meditated this morning, sticking to 15 mins instead of 20.

I still drift into the thought stream a lot, but i just gently bring attention back.
I can't seem to count though!

I want to count on the in-breath but I know the directions are to count after the out breath.

What do you think WIP? Does it matter?

And I have to scratch any itches....

And I peek at my clock...

[peacenik]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

i wouldn't think the way you count matters at all...i think "in" "out" to keep myself on track...

i have a hard time not scratching itches!!!

g-nite all!

[A Work in Progress]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

You know, when I am counting breaths, Nancy, I prefer starting with the in-breath, too... Certainly it's OK, whatever works well for you! Counting is thought of as a kind of "crutch" to help us train the mind to stay on track.

Scratching itches: ahh... you know, NOT scratching is one of the very best disciplines we can practice, in teaching our minds how to control impulses, and that generalizes into the capacity to step back, observe, and refuse to give in to all sorts of impulses... including impulses to drink! So... at the very least, take some time BEFORE giving in to the impulse, and spend the time observing what it feels like to experience the urgent messages in your mind, and observing very carefully and precisely how the itch feels... sharp? tingly? dull? where is it, exactly? ...

I missed my sitting practice this morning, in too much of a hurry to get to the airport. But now I'm at the gate, in plenty of time. I'll sit later today, after I get home and settled in....

[DeeBee]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

Daily Dharma

You can't step into the same river twice.

The Buddha stressed the dynamic nature of existence. This resonates with the ideas of some early Greek philosophers, such as Heraclitus, who maintained that, "All is flux" and "You can't step into the same river twice."


Now, all this sounds like common sense. Yest there is something in our minds and emotions that kicks back at the idea of change. We are forever trying to break the dynamic world-dance, which is a unity, into separate "things," which we then freeze in the ice of thought. But the world-dance doggedly refuses to remain fragmented and frozen. It swirls on, changing from moment to moment. laughing at all our pitiful attempts to organize and control it.


In order to live skillfully, in harmony with the dynamic Universe, it is essential to accept the reality of change and impermanence. The wise person therefore travels lightly, with a minimum of clutter, maintaining the proverbial "open mind" in all situations, for he or she knows hat tomorrow's reality will not be the same as today's. He or she will also have learned the divine art of letting go -- which means not being attached to people and possessions and situations, but rather, when the time for parting comes, allowing that to happen graciously.


- John Snelling, Elements of Buddhism

[DeeBee]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

Nothing too exciting to report on my side.
I've been perusing the Tricycle website today trying to grasp what precepts are..... Help Wip!! When you get home safe and sound later, please educate me.

[A Work in Progress]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

Hi Deebs, I am home, it is just getting to noon and I feel as if it should be 5pm!

Precepts are ethical guidelines, sort of like vows (and a little like the 10 Commandments). The idea in Buddhism is that the way we think and behave leads to our unhappiness (craving stuff we like, rejecting stuff we don't like; pursuing superficial pleasures; distorted thinking about what truly is good/healthy/true, and what is not; inability to delay gratification or to resist impulses... ). So there is what is called the "Eightfold Path" which is a way to let go of our suffering, by engaging in a way of living that promotes our own happiness and that of others. One way of expressing a life in accordance with the Eightfold Path is to "take precepts." The introductory 5 precepts that just about all Buddhists take (monks, nuns, and lay people) are:

To refrain from:

Killing
Stealing
Lying
Sexual Misconduct
Using Intoxicants

There are elaborate lists of "more advanced" precepts that are taken by monks and nuns... but these basic 5 are the foundation of all the others. Thich Nhat Hanh, the much-beloved Zen monk from Vietnam, has written a lovely piece about the 5 precepts.

1. Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and to learn the ways of protecting the lives of people, animals and plants. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.

2. Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving-kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals and plants. I vow to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will do everything in my power to prevent others from human suffering of other species.

3. Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate my responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to protect families from being broken by sexual misconduct.

4. Aware of suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to the suffering of others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or bring suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that can inspire self confidence, joy and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain, and not to criticize or condemn things I am not sure of . I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I willmake every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, even small.

5. Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicants, or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain T.V. programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my pafrents, my society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation, and for the transformation of society.

[peacenik]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

i'm curious, are you guys vegetarian or vegan?

i love the way thich nhat hanh explained the 5 precepts...i've found as i get older these ideas or precepts have sort of come to me and i feel like i am practicing them already. i feel like they are the "golden rule" in a broad sense.

thanks guys...peace!

[A Work in Progress]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

The Tricycle Magazine "Big Sit" 90-Day retreat has formally begun; the first introductory talk was posted, and I am going to see if I can put the link right here: Sign In to Tricycle Community - Tricycle Community.

Ah, I think if you click that link it takes you to a sign-in page. It is very well worth-while to sign up for this series, because it will have a new video talk every week, and lots of instruction and information, and a place to discuss the whole experience. And it's all free.

Anyhow, this first talk is very lovely. It's about what it really means to "practice the dharma" in the world, which also means to be awake, and compassionate, in all aspects of our daily lives. What are we missing out on, when we live on auto-pilot? Or, when we live with our minds preoccupied and absorbed in thoughts about the future, and in the past?

[DeeBee]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

Welcome Home Wip!! -- the precepts are so simple and yet so powerful. I was going to comment on the 5th one especially but really they all apply to me.

Peace, it's funny you ask that because I was thinking the same thing this morning as I was making breakfast this morning I wondered if eggs are considered a no-no. And no I'm not a vegan. I was a "vegetarian" very loosly said before I got married. I think it was because it was cool at the time more than any real belief I had.

Whilst I was sitting this morning, my mind wandered off for quite a while before I realised and had to reign in my thoughts again. Focusing on my breating all over again and just staying put was something new for me. Previously I would've said oh well session over and not put the effort into tying again.

I read something the other day that has stuck with me. Meditating is a bit like training for a sport, you don't perfect it the first time you try, it takes time, energy and patience. I keep remembering this when I feel frustrated and it helps me sit just that much longer.

[DeeBee]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

Daily Dharma

Stop Thinking
"And what, monks, is Right Concentration? Here, a monk, detached from sense-desires, detached from unwholesome mental states, enters and remains in the first jhana [meditative absorption], which is with thinking and pondering, born of detachment, filled with delight and joy. And with the subsiding of thinking and pondering, by gaining inner tranquility and oneness of mind, he enters and remains in the second jhana, which is without thinking and pondering, born of concentration, filled with delight and joy. And with the fading away of delight, remaining imperturbable, mindful and clearly aware, he experiences in himself the joy of which the Noble Ones say: 'Happy is he who dwells with equanimity and mindfulness,' he enters the third jhana. And, having given up pleasure and pain, and with the disappearance of former gladness and sadness, he enters and remains in the fourth jhana, which is beyond pleasure and pain, and purified by equanimity and mindfulness. This is called Right Concentration. And that, monks, is called the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering."
--Mahasatipatthana Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness, in Thus Have I Heard: The Long Discourses of the Buddha, trans. by Maurice Walshe

[A Work in Progress]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

Peace, I forgot to answer your question. I am not vegetarian, which puts me at odds with many (possibly most) people who practice the Buddhist path. I don't eat a lot of meat... but neither do I totally abstain from eating meat. I struggled with this for quite some time, and for now I have come to terms with the idea that all of us consume (even devour) each other in many ways, and that "no killing" is an impossible ideal, if it is taken in concrete, literal terms. Some Buddhist practitioners go to elaborate lengths to try to prevent themselves from killing even small insects, and I respect them for their dedication, but cannot go so far, at least not in "this life."

My resolution to the dilemma is to be careful that I typically make food choices (not much meat, not much packaged stuff, very little highly refined foods, lots of beans, whole grains, fruits vegetables) such that, if everyone in our Western culture ate in a similar way, the world would be a better place.

[peacenik]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

interesting...i know about the jain monks and too admire their dedication to not killing anything (i heard they won't ride a bike because they could run over a bug) and while that is very beautiful, i think it is nearly impossible for most of us.

haven't sat yet, but will...beautiful snowy day here and i chose to walk the dogs in the snow before anything else!

peace

[DeeBee]

90-Day Meditation Practice Challenge!

This morning I did a guided meditation from the Audio Dharma website - Ajahn Sundara Intro Guided Meditation. I had such an amazing experience. Firstly I sat for the full 19 minutes which was the longest I have ever managed. Her voice is so calming and non-intrusive that I felt myself almost falling during some points and then my whole lower body became heavy and very hot. Towards the end I was having thoughts of ending the session but my eyes refused to open and my hands were so heavy and dead I could not move them. The other interesting thing I noticed was that my eyes were still and calm. Normally when I close my eyes they are still darting around, being very busy.

My only complaint is that the session ended rather abruptly and I "woke" up with a bit of a fright.

What a wonderful experience!!