This morning, for the first time in a while, I actively wanted to sit. I'm very happy for this breakthrough, and watching myself closely to see what made the difference.
Julian's offer is wonderful. I can't tell you how pleased I am that this has a hope of continuing. Coming here, knowing you all are here, has been a vital part of my continuing to meditate. I would vote for keeping the 100 day demarkation, whether or not the blog itself runs indefinitely. For me, the interim goal is helpful in framing my efforts to cultivate a habit. I know also that, for me, starting out with a commitment for 100 days was crucial to getting the ball rolling in a serious but manageable way. An ongoing rotation of 100 days seems like it might be helpful to some, while providing the daily post that others need? As for longer posts, I share Jean's concern that this place remain open to all approaches. Having said that, I have appreciated Dale's (and others, like Lorianne's) occasional longer bits explaining an approach from a particular point of view.
I love Jean's idea of sitting together on Day 100. Is that December 16?
I love the idea of sitting together on day 100 too, even if it's just for a few minutes. I'm sure we can find some time we can all do.
I too like the 100 days -- seems workable in a way that an endless stretch of future doesn't.
Yes, Julian's offer is wonderful! My only reservation is that I don't really want this to be a Buddhist site -- so I wouldn't want to have specifically Buddhist imagery on it. I'd like anyone from the dozens (hundreds?) of contemplative traditions, or from none at all, to feel comfortable here.
Sat at the sangha last night, troubled in mind, distracted for long periods of time. I'm discouraged at how my practice has dissolved as my life has gotten difficult -- I remember Lama Michael saying one time that a good reason to get grounded in a habit of practice is that otherwise your practice will tend to evaporate just when you need it most.
So I'm reaffirming my commitment, with the "faults of Samsara" particularly vivid in my mind :-) Three minutes per day. Any means necessary :-)
I sat for 15 tonight. snuck in a sess by the fire while j was out ( a rare occurence!). just doin' it. first phone call I ignored happily. Second, on my mobile, I thought, he needs me, better answer...he didn't, it was nothing. I often chide him for not answering while he is working!...humph.
I completely agree about the image not being specifically Buddhist. I think it is one of the great things about meditation, it's like music. Bach's music was inspired by the church but EVERYONE can listen to it and be healed by it.
I have a wonderful piece of grey blue double Ikat which I bought in an amazing village called Tenganan in Bali which always reminded me of the Turin Shroud. Somehow I keep being drawn to this as a kind of background design. Any other images which allow for a non-denominational vibe?
I think one of the difficulties of the meditation is becoming more aware of how little of the time I am actually here. I just was never aware of it before. have been practicing writing Christmas cards, just concentrating on the pleasure of writing with a fountain pen. (those were the days!)
Sat this morning. To say the least though it was a cursory session - I had a bit of a stomach upset and my attention was, um, elsewhere.
[[Dale]]. Very sorry that things are tough at the moment. I hope recommitting to the 3 mins helps. FWIW I am so glad I committed to just 5 mins per day and no longer. Any more and I would never have made it this far.
Yes, I would like to have another series of 100 days, rather than an indefinite period.
Any other images which allow for a non-denominational vibe?
A friend does a sort of photography that involves looking at things without looking at them as objects per se -- in other words, looking at patterns, colors, shapes, composition without being confined by the notion of object. Zennish. I'm forgetting the name of this type of photography.
Images from nature would be very resonant for me also.
Ruth, I love the idea of the ikat. Sounds perfect to me. But I am not invested in any particular design, pattern of posting, or length of commitment. If there is strong feeling for keeping the 100 days, let's do that!
Ruth, that is exactly my feeling about Bach. And that's the music I turn to when I am really upset.
I "sat" today while in the tub. I know, not exactly ideal posture! But I was actually pretty concentrated for those few minutes.
Smiling at the image of Beth meditating in the bath :-)
Dale, I'm so sorry things are tough for you at the moment. I had that feeling between the lines of what you write here and elsewhere. Lots of love to you and yours. Please let us/me know if there's anything we can do or if you ever want to talk about it. I think even holding on to the intention to meditate when there's difficult stuff going on is really hard. The intention is a lot, I think - the knowledge amid turmoil that there is something else, even if it is really, really hard to touch it...what has amazed me about meditation is that it never, never goes away, even when there are long periods when I don't practice at all.
Um, hadn't read your last two blogposts when I wrote that, Dale - didn't exactly have to read 'between the lines' of those to deduce that life was feeling hard...
8 Comments:
This morning, for the first time in a while, I actively wanted to sit. I'm very happy for this breakthrough, and watching myself closely to see what made the difference.
Julian's offer is wonderful. I can't tell you how pleased I am that this has a hope of continuing. Coming here, knowing you all are here, has been a vital part of my continuing to meditate. I would vote for keeping the 100 day demarkation, whether or not the blog itself runs indefinitely. For me, the interim goal is helpful in framing my efforts to cultivate a habit. I know also that, for me, starting out with a commitment for 100 days was crucial to getting the ball rolling in a serious but manageable way. An ongoing rotation of 100 days seems like it might be helpful to some, while providing the daily post that others need? As for longer posts, I share Jean's concern that this place remain open to all approaches. Having said that, I have appreciated Dale's (and others, like Lorianne's) occasional longer bits explaining an approach from a particular point of view.
I love Jean's idea of sitting together on Day 100. Is that December 16?
I love the idea of sitting together on day 100 too, even if it's just for a few minutes. I'm sure we can find some time we can all do.
I too like the 100 days -- seems workable in a way that an endless stretch of future doesn't.
Yes, Julian's offer is wonderful! My only reservation is that I don't really want this to be a Buddhist site -- so I wouldn't want to have specifically Buddhist imagery on it. I'd like anyone from the dozens (hundreds?) of contemplative traditions, or from none at all, to feel comfortable here.
Sat at the sangha last night, troubled in mind, distracted for long periods of time. I'm discouraged at how my practice has dissolved as my life has gotten difficult -- I remember Lama Michael saying one time that a good reason to get grounded in a habit of practice is that otherwise your practice will tend to evaporate just when you need it most.
So I'm reaffirming my commitment, with the "faults of Samsara" particularly vivid in my mind :-) Three minutes per day. Any means necessary :-)
Love to you all --
lovely to have your voices back moose and dale.
I sat for 15 tonight. snuck in a sess by the fire while j was out ( a rare occurence!). just doin' it. first phone call I ignored happily. Second, on my mobile, I thought, he needs me, better answer...he didn't, it was nothing. I often chide him for not answering while he is working!...humph.
I completely agree about the image not being specifically Buddhist. I think it is one of the great things about meditation, it's like music. Bach's music was inspired by the church but EVERYONE can listen to it and be healed by it.
I have a wonderful piece of grey blue double Ikat which I bought in an amazing village called Tenganan in Bali which always reminded me of the Turin Shroud. Somehow I keep being drawn to this as a kind of background design. Any other images which allow for a non-denominational vibe?
I think one of the difficulties of the meditation is becoming more aware of how little of the time I am actually here. I just was never aware of it before. have been practicing writing Christmas cards, just concentrating on the pleasure of writing with a fountain pen. (those were the days!)
Sat this morning. To say the least though it was a cursory session - I had a bit of a stomach upset and my attention was, um, elsewhere.
[[Dale]]. Very sorry that things are tough at the moment. I hope recommitting to the 3 mins helps. FWIW I am so glad I committed to just 5 mins per day and no longer. Any more and I would never have made it this far.
Yes, I would like to have another series of 100 days, rather than an indefinite period.
Any other images which allow for a non-denominational vibe?
A friend does a sort of photography that involves looking at things without looking at them as objects per se -- in other words, looking at patterns, colors, shapes, composition without being confined by the notion of object. Zennish. I'm forgetting the name of this type of photography.
Images from nature would be very resonant for me also.
{{{Dale}}}
Ruth, I love the idea of the ikat. Sounds perfect to me. But I am not invested in any particular design, pattern of posting, or length of commitment. If there is strong feeling for keeping the 100 days, let's do that!
Ruth, that is exactly my feeling about Bach. And that's the music I turn to when I am really upset.
I "sat" today while in the tub. I know, not exactly ideal posture! But I was actually pretty concentrated for those few minutes.
All of this sounds good to me.
Smiling at the image of Beth meditating in the bath :-)
Dale, I'm so sorry things are tough for you at the moment. I had that feeling between the lines of what you write here and elsewhere. Lots of love to you and yours. Please let us/me know if there's anything we can do or if you ever want to talk about it. I think even holding on to the intention to meditate when there's difficult stuff going on is really hard. The intention is a lot, I think - the knowledge amid turmoil that there is something else, even if it is really, really hard to touch it...what has amazed me about meditation is that it never, never goes away, even when there are long periods when I don't practice at all.
Um, hadn't read your last two blogposts when I wrote that, Dale - didn't exactly have to read 'between the lines' of those to deduce that life was feeling hard...
(((Dale))) (((all of you))))
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