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Need help getting going
So I have been reading books, creeping through this site and at one point was really making progress in nonattachment and compassion but somewhere I fell
off the tracks. I don't really know how to start up again. I've forgotten a lot and don't know where to begin practicing. there is just so much information and I'm feeling overwhelmed. not to mention I'm in college and my brain is fried to begin with. But this is something I want ( with a lack of a better word) SO BAD. Buddhism makes sense to me and gives me hope. I would dedicate the rest of my days to it and I plan on it. But I just don't know where to start. for instance meditation. Wherw do I begin? What do I
meditate on? sorry for the rant just feeling a bit frazzled. Advice needed.
With love - Jen
off the tracks. I don't really know how to start up again. I've forgotten a lot and don't know where to begin practicing. there is just so much information and I'm feeling overwhelmed. not to mention I'm in college and my brain is fried to begin with. But this is something I want ( with a lack of a better word) SO BAD. Buddhism makes sense to me and gives me hope. I would dedicate the rest of my days to it and I plan on it. But I just don't know where to start. for instance meditation. Wherw do I begin? What do I
meditate on? sorry for the rant just feeling a bit frazzled. Advice needed.
With love - Jen
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Comments
And its free! You can download them to your smart phone. They have all levels.
Just follow your heart, it will lead you...don't download them all and thank @maarten he led me there.
In a frazzled environment, one in which information overload seems to play a part, meditation is not a bad idea. First of all, you can skip over a lot of the information-tsunami offered in books or lectures. The only thing you need is a bit of determination and ... again... patience.
Perhaps your determination could express itself this way: This evening, as you sit around planning tomorrow's adventures, seek out a half an hour tomorrow during which you will be free. Having discovered this niche in a busy schedule, promise yourself that tomorrow, at 5:37 p.m., you will meditate for 10 minutes ... not more and not less. When 5:37 rolls around, keep your promise. If the toilet breaks or the roof falls in or for some other serious reason you cannot keep your promise, don't make excuses or rattle off explanations. Instead, simply say, "I choose not to meditate." No wussy explanations ... just choose.
If you manage to keep your promise, then, reflect on whatever tomorrow is coming, choose a time that looks open, and promise once more to meditate for 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 or whatever minutes. Keep... your... promise. Not more, not less -- just keep your promise. At the end of a week of such exercising, review your experience. Was it too much? Was it too little? Was it too hard? Reflect ... and then look forward to another tomorrow and make your promise again ... and keep it.
Will you be successful? Will you be a failure? Count on it. But exercise some determination. Whether you succeed or fail, do great meditation or lousy meditation ... just keep your promises. And see what happens.
If you have no chosen practice, here is a site that is from a Zen Buddhist perspective, but is generalized enough so that you can easily filch the basics of seated meditation. It's got pictures.
Best wishes.
(Virtual hugs)
@Lady, hah i think this is the one degree i look forward to spending a lifetime earning. CANT WAIT! even though ive already begun i look forward to the days ahead
Start again, start again!