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Generating a routine
ColinA
Explorer
Just looking for tips on generating a daily routine around a meditation practise from scratch. I've had some great book recommendations here...are there any that deal specifically with a new buddhist setting up the inspiration and discipline of a daily routine?
Thank you all.
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Well, i don’t have a book recommendation for that but I do have a few ad-hoc comments.
First have you got a meditation cushion? It just adds a bit of ritual to the whole sitting down to meditate to use an actual meditation cushion. Try to keep a set time of day and early mornings are best.
Second you’ll need a Buddhist shrine, which is basically a statue of the Buddha (given not bought is best) and perhaps a little bowl of sand to burn incense in.
Wishing you lots of luck and inspiration with your practice
Thank you so much @Kerome for the great advice and best wishes. Much appreciated. ??
I think in getting started regularity is more important than length or quality, and experimentation is helpful to figure out what works best for you. You'll often find that you won't want to sit for 20 min or whatever your goal is, when that is the case at least sit down for a brief prayer or a few breaths.
I like this way of categorizing people by the differing ways we find motivation, maybe you can find something in it that can help you too.
https://gretchenrubin.com/2015/01/ta-da-the-launch-of-my-quiz-on-the-four-tendencies-learn-about-yourself/
Maybe this ...
https://m.wikihow.com/Meditate-for-Beginners
How to sit
Guided Meditation
https://www.audiodharma.org/series/1/talk/1835/
You will find your way to The Way.
OM MANI PEME HUM HRIH
Thank you both very much @person and @lobster. ??
@ColinA
If you have an interest in Zen....
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Here's a short summary and review
Zen Mind Beginner's Mind Reading Circle 1
Thank you so much @Shoshin . ??
I love that book, "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind!" I am reading it through a second time as the last time I read it was a while ago. I am finding new insight in what he says all over again.
As for creating a routine, do what you would do for anything else. Schedule appointments with yourself or with others as necessary. If you schedule with yourself, set yourself a reminder on your preferred electronic device or write it on the calendar just like you would anything else. I have a reminder set for every morning at 4 AM, when I get up and get ready for the day (wash my face, brush my teeth, brush my hair, etc.), then do zazen and kenhin (sp?) from 4:30 to 5:30. Then, have breakfast and the rest of my day depends on what I have scheduled with others or with myself until evening zazen before dinner. Some days, it's volunteer work in the afternoon and discussions with others in the morning, sometimes it's the other way around, and sometimes I have yoga or physical therapy (I fell and messed up my shoulder, so I have a few weeks left of physical therapy). I also go to psychological therapy (you don't have to be "crazy" to do talk therapy!), doctor's or dentist's appointments, or a break period to spend time with my husband. You'd be surprised how busy the day gets with all this!
I think what is best is to figure out what works well for you and be prepared to change it up. For example, I will be going to the Chapel Hill Zen Center every other Sunday starting two Sundays from now. This is a change from my current schedule, which is to go over to Bob's house and the Zendo every Sunday morning. Time's change, new opportunities arise, and I'm always ready for things to come up.
Like my thoughts, I let new schedules come and go on their own accord. I don't stay with one routine all the time, but let things flow over me from day to day.
I hope this all made sense and isn't considered rambling. I do that sometimes. But I wanted to give you an example of what a schedule might look like and how you should handle such a thing. Hope this has helped!
Love to the World,
Jewel
Thank you so much @Jewel . That is so helpful and inspiring.
Goodbye dear sockpuppet (apparantly)
GONE, GONE, GONE BEYOND, GONE COMPLETELY BEYOND
Gate, Gate, Paragate, Para Sam gate Bodhisvaha.
http://sanghalou.org/oldsitebackup/heart_suttra.htm
I always miss these things.
I'll give you a heads-up next time, for your entertainment and delight....