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How long do I meditate?
I know it varies from individual to individual, but how long for the effect to kick in? People say 40 minutes is minimum because the mind would need that much time to settle. Anything less is a waste of time. I assumed, otoh, that anything is fine because it would have a cumulative effect.
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I still like to join in to group meditations when I can - I used to attend regularly on a weekly basis though don't do that now.
I have had two children, continue to study and work throughout that time as well.
I only get to attend retreats about once a year - would like to do more intensive long sessions as have benefit from this.
Of course, I still have times of distraction, boredom and restlessness - I have been able to give up being too perturbed by them and analysing my progress so they aren't a bother anymore.
You will be letting go of such notions and integrating meditation with non-meditation.
Take the time that you have and put it to use in the way that you choose - you're the best judge of how well that works for you.
If you want to know how little you can get away with, that's only because you don't like meditation yet.
Meditation is beneficial from the moment you decide to engage in it.
What is it you want from meditation? And what makes you believe that it's from meditation, that it comes?
@music, I'm not entirely sure where you are learning about different aspects of Buddhism, but wherever you're "picking stuff up" from - I'd change source, if I were you.....
Your idea of 'practice' and the general consensus of what is perceived as 'practice' here, seem to diverge alarmingly.
Many teachers of academic subjects use that fact and build in breaks during lectures.
Clearly that is not an option we would want to pursue if we have developed a degree of relaxed concentration..it does suggest however that anything less than 20 minutes will result in our constantly walking over the seeds that have just stated to sprout.
I would suggest sitting for a minimum of 20 minutes..even if for a while 15 of those minutes are spent simply watching the monkey mind and smelling the incense.
These things take time to learn, and they cut across much of our experience in a culture where there is a constant and rapid flow of data reaching us through our senses.
Long term: until you aren't meditating anymore.
With this....
Having said that their is a lot to be said for learning in formal lessons...and nowadays the teachers tend to be more realistic about what westerners can manage when they are new to all this. Scattered and distrait as we tend to be.
Or perhaps that's just me.
I will say though, that for me, there was something about the 20 minute mark. I struggled with calming and focus until I hit that 20 minute mark. Then, something happened and it became much easier, and more calming after that. While any time period can work, if you're goal is more time "on the cushion," then see what happens when you try for more than 20 minutes.
Just my 2½¢ worth.
All I know is that quantity does not always equal quality.
That's all.
It's like volunteering for charity.
If every move you make leaves you bored and resentful, it's really not worth you even offering.....
I'm working up to the hour mark. but I'll be honest, if it takes me two years or twenty, I really don't care.
Sit with your boredom - it has much to teach you.
Also, the point is not to stop your thoughts and sit in mind silence. The point is to be able to recognize the thought and let it go without following it and adding your own story to it. your mind thinks. That's what it does. However you do not have to follow your thoughts on all the twisted paths it takes you on. There is a difference between "I need a haircut." and "I need a haircut. Oh, it's Friday, it'll be busy. I can't do it today. Maybe I should plan on doing it when I go out of town next week. Ugh, my hairstylist is on vacation, too. God I hate haircuts."
If you hate it, you won't keep doing it, so don't try to force yourself into some set time period at the start.
Oh, and as you are able to comfortably increase your time, you will notice the stillness that comes follow you into your daily life. It won't happen all of a sudden, but it's a natural progression. A trained, and quieted mind allows itself to be quieted at other times of the day, too. You'll find yourself more easily making decisions, having patience, not reacting so quickly to situations. It comes naturally, and with time, and the more you do it, the more often you'll recognize meditation coming out in all areas of your life, as you work, play, do dishes, take showers. It's always there, but you can't see it unless you train your mind.
I have lain and listened to a meditative CD on many occasions... within moments of the first few bars, I fall asleep. Within minutes of the last bars, of the last track, playing - I awaken.
I awaken refreshed, peaceful and reinvigorated, with a stilled Mind.
Even in sleep, 'meditation' of a sort, can occur and bring much benefit.
It's possible that you would benefit from fine-tuning your technique - could you briefly describe your current approach?
And do you have access to any meditation teachers, or people with more experience?
and it seems to help with sitting meditation, and i find following the breath seems to always get me so much deeper into my meditation, and as i let thoughts come and go
i find that they intrude less and less finaly over time the true peace of the path to enlightenment always seems to show its self its a life long journey but im glad to be on it
peace and joy
Coz