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Your meditation routine
I'm curious what types of meditation "you" do, at what intervals, etc. I am trying to develop a routine to reach certain goals. I know that everyone's routine will be different, and what works for one may not be a good choice for another. Ideas are helpful to me in developing my own routine. If it helps, I'm currently practicing in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, though as you can imagine it is hard to seek his counsel for my specific queries.
I want to achieve a pretty stable state of bodhicitta, so I should probably do metta meditation. I would also like to simply relax and observe my mind, as in zazen. However, I want to maintain balance in my meditation practice. I have noticed, sometimes, if I do seated meditation in the morning, I feel kind of lazy during the rest of the day. Tranquil, but slothful.
I am currently sit for 20-30 minutes, usually not more than 25, for once or twice a day. How does one know when it is proper to increase the amount of time one sits? What is considered the upper limit for a "healthy" meditation practice?
Anyway, I'm quite curious about the responses I'll get.
I want to achieve a pretty stable state of bodhicitta, so I should probably do metta meditation. I would also like to simply relax and observe my mind, as in zazen. However, I want to maintain balance in my meditation practice. I have noticed, sometimes, if I do seated meditation in the morning, I feel kind of lazy during the rest of the day. Tranquil, but slothful.
I am currently sit for 20-30 minutes, usually not more than 25, for once or twice a day. How does one know when it is proper to increase the amount of time one sits? What is considered the upper limit for a "healthy" meditation practice?
Anyway, I'm quite curious about the responses I'll get.
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Comments
if you feel lazy after morning meditation this is likely because of 1 of (or and) 2 things... 1) you arent waking up fully before meditation. its a good idea to get up, wash your face, brush your teeth, walk around a bit before meditation. if you just roll over and sit up to meditate you'll start to fall back asleep. 2) you may be drifting down into the earlier stages of sleep during meditation, setting off the beginning reactions of sleep in the brain... rather than maintaining bright awareness. proper calm in meditation should be bright, and alive... not dim and dull. 3 full, deep breaths held for a while will usually remedy any mild fatigue.
healthy meditation practice, is imo, one that produces results. that get you to the point of true insight, jnana, etc. i personally dont think there is upper limit for meditation practice, nor do i think that extended meditation is unhealthy... quite the opposite.
its unlikely as a beginner that anything less than 20 minutes will produce true stillness... so 20-30 minutes is a good goal. more if you want... but not enough that it becomes torturous and builds aversion. meditation is a gift... it should be our joy to practice... it should NOT be a chore.
as far as what type of meditation to do... i personally believe meditation on the breath if practiced correctly will produce concentration and mindfulness in anyone. the Buddha achieved enlightenment using the breath and taught using the breath. mindfulness in plain english is a great guide... simply to understand and apply. http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html ... that being said, whatever method of meditation you choose its important to make a real commitment and give it a genuine shot... 20-30 minutes, every single day, for atleast 6 months... THEN decide if you feel its right for you. hopping around from method to method every few weeks will not produce meaningful results for most people.
i hope this was helpful!
I so easily fall into thinking of it as a chore, that I don't even set a timer on occasion. I just stop whatever mental gymnastics of should or shouldn't and I just walk to my area throw a couch cushion down and sit.
just sitting in hell or heaven, i learn to accept both as they are.
lately my body has been killing me or latent emotions arise.
my routine has been total engagement with whatever arises.
i suppose i've been trying to bring this same routine to everyday life.
it's a shame because that is the real work. there are no books or maps on how to keep open awareness throughout the day. it is something one just keeps at until it works.
my meditations have a quality of boredom. Today I was seriously tempted by a chocolate bar I had in the house. About the middle of my meditation I got huge cravings and then I was like "oh shit I still got ten more minutes" haha
i find it harder to meditate with other people.
and you're right the capacity is always there.
i see the value in having a daily meditation routine. meow.
Then I sit with that for whatever amount of time, to me time is not a factor in meditation.
Then maybe I look within at what thoughts arise and pass, why they come and how they arise, then later metta meditation for me, a loved one, those around me and even your worse enemy if you have one helps a great deal.
Kensho