I think I may have figured this out. . .

I want to improve my meditation practice. Well, I think I may have stumbled onto the big secret of sitting practice.

You just gotta sit, get on the cushion and do it. Don’t think about it, don’t do anything but sit twice a day if possible.

Zen practitioners have a great point about Zazen – - SIT!!! That’s all we really need to know about perfecting our meditation practice. The sitting will teach the rest.

Ambition

Hello sitters.
Sorry for my extended silence. Graduate school, full time work and life have crowded out any energy or inspiration for blogging. Fortunately, life has again returned to a nice stroll.

My sits keep sitting although my brain has been bubbling with ambition and dreams. I responded by tightening my practice by closing my eyes (the Shambhala tradition meditates with eyes open) and strictly following my breath. I am amazed at the mental storms that can happen in meditation. So much noise and agitation arise every so often. I suppose this is karma rising up for me to release.

Cultivating a Meditation Practice

 

I have been debating on what technique I should use to develop my meditation practice.  I am interested in becoming more dillagent and disciplined in my practice and letting sitting become a larger part of my life.   I know that meditation is what is lacking in my practice

I don’t believe that setting rigid goals or guidelines is what is going to be able to allow me to thrive on the cushion.  However, the lax approach I am currently taking has become unacceptable to me.

I wish to set the intention to sit twice daily.   Once in the morning and once in the evening.   I won’t force myself to a specific amount of time.  I’d rather allow myself some flexability and let the meditation follow its own course.

After a week of applying this approach, I will reassess and adjust as necessary.

I Will Sit Tonight

I have been doing a rather poor job of sticking to the meditation program.

I will however be sitting tonight, gonna fight the good fight and not beat myself up over my lack of discipline.  I am making some other huge changes right now and am happy with my practice.   But, I know I can do better.

For starters, I will sit tonight.   We’ll let the other moments take care of themselves.

I have not been very good about making the time to sit.

If I cannot make the time for practice now, when will I make the time?

Practice is not about waiting for the perfect opportunity. I need to take the opportunity of the present and make the most of it.

Headed to the cushion now.

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Here is an interesting article about the meditation technique I am working on.

The Center

I remind myself again and again that my sitting practice is the center of my life. My home, my work everything is organized to support a meditation practice. I often like to think of my life as a practice center. There are no excuses, every moment is an opportunity to practice.