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.

Sitting with Chaos

I skipped my meditation practice last night. The home was rather hectic and I could not seem to find the time or place to sit.

The previous night I managed to sit despite the same situation. It all-right to sit amidst a bit of chaos, I think it can actually serve to strengthen your practice.

No excuses allowed tonight.

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.

Back to the cushion again. I am always surprised at how important my practice is. Missing even a few sits has a significant effect on my well being. I quickly start to obsess and worry about things that I have no control over. I also start dreaming about all things I want to do and be. Samsara is some serious quicksand, and sitting still is the only way out.

I moved a massive pile of wood chips yesterday. It took about three and half hours of pitchforking fun. This left me comatose for the evening and the morning too. Fortunately, practice happens on and off the cushion.

Despite having the flu, I forced myself to get on the cushion today.

I did not feel like doing it. Sitting today was rather difficult.

I was not able to get into the groove of things, unable to concentrate. But, I gave it a shot. I am glad for that.

It is important to put the effort in.

I had an early morning sit today. I pulled myself out of bed at 6am and sat for a good forty minutes. I have been trying to rein in my practice a little. Lately, I have been using my sitting practice to contemplate all of the gardening I am going to do in the backyard.

Back to the breath, back to my sensations, back to the space around me.

I practiced in my living room last night for about forty minutes. I didn’t feel like sitting but I managed to anyway.

I told myself I would just sit for ten minutes. This usually gets me on the cushion and more often than not I sit much longer.

They say sitting is most beneficial when you least want to do it. That was definitely the case last night.

I went to a classical indian concert last night. It was quite beautiful and offered a great opportunity to practice. I sat for two hours continuously bringing my attention back to the music. It was really helpful knowing that the music was a celebration of Shiva/God. I find devotion to be very helpful in my sitting practice. Love is a window into ubiased reality.