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My Dharma practice today
marcitko
Veteran
Dear everyone,
I thought it would be beneficial and encouraging for us to have a thread in which we could post our concrete, daily Dharma practice wins and activities.
General guidelines, at least from my perspective:
- Focus on wins. Mentioning "wins", in addition to activities, is intentional. Focusing on the wins and the progress, rather than the long distance ahead and how we fall short of our ideal, helps us get into a mindset of celebration, positivity, encouragement, determination, increased energy and commitment, etc. This promotes a positive feedback loop of further progress.
- No win or activity is too small. No win or activity, if done intentionally with wholesome intent, is "small" or "insignificant" or "not worthy of posting". Literally.
- Start where you are. The only person who can practice is us, as we are, now. There is literally no other place to practice. So, no one is too spiritually "behind" or "ahead" to not post their wins and activities. We all start where we are. Daily. Ours is a very large tent, inclusive of all aspiring to practice Dharma.
- Dharma practice is comprehensive. Finally, the idea is for this thread to be both about meditation but also all other aspects of Dharma practice.
- With comments to others, try to be encouraging. Maybe it's just me, but I get the feeling that we're all too self-critical already. Some say it's a "Western thing". Encouragement brings forth all of the aforementioned goodies: increased resolve, inspiration, determination, energy, a genuine desire to practice more, etc.
Whadyathink? Sounds good? 
7
Comments
I'll start:
Yesterday, I practised the precept of not taking what is not given.
I am moving house and the rented flat came with some old pots and pans, cutlery, glasses, and the like.
Instead of doing it half-assed, with the attitude that ultimately it does not matter much if an old butter knife is mine or of the flat, as long as I leave some behind, I put in a lot of effort to determine what is mine, and what came with the flat, for each item.
To me, since I slept poorly and was extremely busy with packing, that extra wholesome effort, counts as a win
Hmm, let’s see…
Today I practised awareness of the breath, as part of my ongoing year of being conscious of my breathing. There were three separate moments where I remembered I should take a moment to focus on my breath, which is not a bad start to the day.
I also practised my compassion. An elderly friend of my father sent me an email about seeing my father’s funeral ceremony online, and I sent him a mail back in which I explained to him that the ceremony hadn’t been recorded. I did also send him the text of all the speeches that were held, so that he could still get a little of the feeling.
...Oh wait have not done the last one yet.
Off to be a Busy-Bodhi
Yesterday, within the difficulties of poor sleep and anxiety/excitement due to moving, I practiced:
Right speech: especially with my mother. No need to take my troubles out on her. I screwed up once, but apologised, a.k.a. tried to make it right.
Not taking what is not given: my father gave me a small liquidity loan to pay for the movers. A small amount was left over. I typically might postpone paying him back until I 'feel like it' a.k.a. would not prioritise it highly. But I paid him back immediately, even though there was a lot of unpacking to do a.k.a. it slightly inconvenienced me.
Insight: I think it is safe to say that those around me would say that I already am moral/ethical. But when I look at the little things, there is so much room for improvement. And of course, when aggravated by negative emotion/thought, I too can be a vanilla asshole 😄
I've been doing a mindfulness practice recently. It's maybe a little like Jon Kabbat Zinn's teaching of eating a raisin mindfully and appreciating all of the facets of the experience. And I've also read about mindful washing of dishes. Normally when I do tasks like laundry, dishes loading and unloading, or tidying I am thinking of how it is my task and I want to get it done. I think of it as a daily goal. And that is fine as it's fine to have goals and tasks. But I bring mindfulness by doing everything slowly and noticing more of what I am doing rather than thinking. So instead of being efficient I slowly bring a plate out of the dishwasher and heft it and slowly walk to the cupboard then slowly open the cupboard and notice what's inside as a slowly set down the dish.
Did my last goodliness from yesterday
https://universeodon.com/invite/J8ZvPdef
I liked in particular @Jeffrey effort. But all good.
Today:
Must be time for a void coffee. Void of milk that is. And Void of caffeine (decaff only for lobsters
I’ve been contemplating what the Dharma has brought to my life, and whether I have been approaching it in the right way.
The two teachers to whom I’ve owed most of my Buddhism have been Thich Nhat Hanh and Ajahn Chah. Thich Nhat Hanh for books such as ‘The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching’ and Ajahn Chah for his many Dhamma talks. This has led to an increased measure of mindfulness, peace and much letting go.
Yet it has not led to more energy, more joy, more blissfulness, more spontaneity. So in some ways it has been good, leading me to rest and peace and spirituality, and in another way it has led to me slowly losing touch with many of the elements which had energised my life, like games, news, science fiction, cinema, music and so on.
After twelve years of relatively single-minded pursuit of the spiritual — not only Buddhist Dharma but also the Tao, non-duality, Eckhart Tolle and Osho — I wonder if my attempt to let the spiritual sink into my bones and marrow has not come to a point where a slight change in approach is necessary.
It isn’t necessary for me to be a ‘cyber-monk’ or a ‘dharmist’ or to have deep knowledge of all these things. Studying is perhaps not the way, and memorising is certainly not helpful.
That is as far as I have gotten today. To be continued.
I practise what I preach, and what I preach is what I have been taught, and what I have been taught is to practise what I preach.
I’ve been continuing my contemplation of what the Dharma has brought…
In a way the books I have valued the most have been those of which I couldn’t afterwards remember much of the content, but which left me feeling uplifted and more blissful. Books which try to imprint themselves on my memory with lists and methods rarely brought me much.
By clearing out much of the unnecessary stuff in my mind, the Dharma allowed me to focus on what remained. The brahma viharas featured strongly — benevolence, compassion, empathetic joy, equanimity — as did meditation through relaxation. But this too passed.
The end of today’s consideration. To be continued.
It is 3.33AM and all is dharma.
Then using what ever remains of 'Enlightened Mind' I will take out the Zen garbage as their is no wood to chop.
Have a great day everyone. Merry Christmas
My Dharma practice today:
As an ally to most, I now realise we are all one gender.
Wo!
We of course are not safe, until all are safe, especially younglings.
Home made, wholemeal pizza today
Am I doing good yet?
Read about zen/chan/dhyana
https://www.mindlightway.org/zen-history-blog/zen-chan-dhyana
I am taking my Buddhism more seriously as of late. It is clear to me I must make determined and right efforts. Apply various 'medicines' and remedies, take responsibily and quit complaining. Changing the inputs will change the outputs, as I know for sure from a previous determined phase.
Strictly 'Buddhist' I am:
Slowly and contemplatively reading 'In the Buddhas Words' by Bhikhu Boddhi. It is a Pali canon sutta structured compilation with contextual introductions to chapters. Very good.
Listening to Ajahn Sonna. I resonate a lot and find a lot of benefit.
Restarted meditating. Some samatha, some loving kindness, some contemplation.
Trying to uphold and practice sila in a practical way.
I'm also doing and trying to habitualise a few other 'supporting' practices and dehabitualise a few negative behaviors but will write above those another day to keep this shorter.
Already feeling better: calmer, more grounded, more optimistic... so far so very good.
You might enjoy this discussion from five years ago when I was reading In the Buddha’s Words by Bhikkhu Bodhi. I enjoyed the book very much, next to Buddhist Scriptures by Edward Conze it was my favourite sutra anthology.
https://newbuddhist.com/discussion/comment/553301#Comment_553301
Thank you for the tip @Jeroen.
I've read the thread and might resuscitate it during my reading.
Yes, there are some good comments by @federica, @bunks, @how and @david (now @QuangKsanti). I was going through a more questioning phase at the time.
Hey! Feels like I’ve been away forever and I got a mention today. Hope you’re all doing well?
Yes, welcome back @bunks… I’m doing fine, currently reading Neale Donald Walsch’s book Conversations with God which was recommended to me by an acquaintance. Still clearing up the financial fallout from my father’s passing on in May.
its good to hear other peoples practice. my thinking practice makes ease. the more you practice, it becomes you...a way of life
todays practice for me, go to thera temple, donate (gift giving)and eat cambodian food..alms gathering.
the rest of the day, my daozen rest in action.
marcitko samatha is wonderful. so glad your practicing it.
jeffrey love your practice. being present does a world of good. i love washing my dishes.
in zen all is awake, to the here and now.
breathe on ....loving breath. breath can center us to connect this moment.
in zen it is to pause before the next be and do. breath is the training-awareness-to pause and do
your zen is good. wink. i do love the void-full things like soda.
life and four seasons rolls on. ty mother earth teacher.
i will join dont take what is not given.
Kewl @paulysotoo! Thanks for the reminder not to forget about it. 💫
Today:
Read a few more pages of 'In the Buddha's words'. Short morning meditation. 40 minutes exercise. Lowered coffee by 25%.
Off (hopefuly 😂) for a longer evening meditation, journaling, and loving kindness in bed before 💤💤💤.
Read an article about Lucid Dreaming (a Tantric Practice) in the Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/oct/20/how-to-start-lucid-dreaming
Gave myself the command to do this with the plan to start using a Green Lantern ring. So I began Lucid dreaming a raining pavement/gutter. Ah ha, am Lucid dreaming. Time to create ring. Which made me aware of my body and so the magic was gone. Ah well. Next time...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_yoga
Set up a TOR Browser on a computer keydrive so I can create an online Sangha of Enlightened Buddhists, without interference from me. I expect no one to join.
Getting closer to fasting 12 hours a day. Rubbish Jain though... Also I missed Diwali. Have to wait for Christmas for 24 hour X-tianity. So rubbish at being Ecumenical. Can not even spell it without a spellchecker
Much to my objections my mantraing is getting silent more and more. This is is the opposite of 'Beginner Mind'. I am now becoming advanced. Tsk, tsk. Be relegating myself to the naughty corner as usual...
Gonna try and order some light reading for my local library
https://www.chinmayabooks.com/shop/evolution-of-intelligence-ancient-minds-ai-and-beyond/
Yesterday:
I recently moved to a new appartment. I have two rooms. I've made a rule that the bedroom is a no internet / no phone zone. Since I still don't have a couch, and the bed serves as a couch for now, this is just in the evening, but in the future it will be all day.
With no phone / internet, once I start my evening routine, I feel a great sense of relief and groundedness. It's like I've left the world behind now, after giving it my best effort during the day, have now put down the troubles of the world, and can concentrate on what's most important. I also fall asleep much quicker.
I can reccomend making a physical space and / or a block of time an internet-free zone.
Dharma Jihad style...
I recognise some of them from Buddhist tantra
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleven_Naqshbandi_principles
Be in the world not Win Hoff the world
Due to circumstances/karma I am being given 27 seconds to edit my last post. Normally it is 4 hours (our beloved Moderators incl. @Linc trust me to be reasonably goodly in that allotted time)
However it is a trick bot (that thanks to @Linc I am aware of)
Just remember our postings here are paid for and moderated freely. This is Sangha. You lucky people...
"You need the Vanilla.Comments.Edit permission to do that" - Thank the Buddha I do not have that responsibility. Dharma could take a very strange turn in its grave...
...and now back to today as Practice
todays daozen pactice,
wake up. natural calm and be with the body. this is calm abiding and body awareness practice.
light three incent. homage to the buddha, dharma, shangha. and i said, may i/we be safe. be smart. be well. this is well wishing practice.
makes cigarette. in hale ex hale. aware life and death in the breath. mind awareness practice death and life is one. nonduality practice.
watch tv utube. watch vimalakirti .be inform practice, laypeople is equal to monks in being enlighten to the dharma. vimalakirti is our example.
rewatch simply the best by celine. feel the samstate of celine. samantha nou. this is bond/one practice in tantric. be the praise language of our law, ddd state, diety dao dharma.
drink my coffee and cigarette mindfully. this is awareness of mind body practice.
continue my daozen rest in action before work. and further zen aware "meditation in rest in action. the flow state in us we can experience in a day.
future practice play fetch with our family dog. metta practice. love is in you practice.
essentually all is zen, medetation and absorbtion to it all.
Are you sure it wasn’t a double-U turn, lobster?
4.40 AM time for tea and porridge
There were three episodes of mindful breathing so far.
I was just looking at Facebook the other day and I am following a Tara Brach page. Someone, a man, started doing a guided meditation (on the page) and was really interesting and relaxing
I am using Insight Timer, free version, as my meditation timer. I like that because it is helpful to remember how many hours or minutes I have meditated in the past as well as some people who meditated at the same time dropped message "thank you for meditating with me." It helps me to keep my daily habit. I meditated 3 hours per day in breaks for about 90 days but now I reduced back to two hours because I feel I am stressing myself out. Adding walking meditation and mindfulness while doing other things. However, when I started, it was very hard to sit even 10 minutes a day.
I am moving to another city soon and will lose my deposit for my current room and will need to give away a lot of things as I cannot carry them. So, a good time to practice letting go and aware nothing is really mine (Anatta). I know if I do not let go, I will lose more in terms of finance and emotion.
https://www.openhorizons.org/are-there-buddhas-on-other-planets-imagining-extraterrestrial-spiritualities.html