The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

[Ben]

Hi Ace,

This is my goal for at LEAST the rest of August [my birthday month].
Ace's Meditation Goal:
15 minutes - 30 minutes of Vipassana as I awake...
...At least 30 minutes of Vipassana by itself during the day.

Lately I've been forgetting my meditation during the day because I get caught up in activities [ie: wasting time on the internet, playing games on the Xbox 360, ect.].
Wish me luck!

Metta!

Sincerely,
Ace

All the very best with your ambition for August! If you're having difficulty with some distractions then it might be best to put them in a cupboard for a while. Also, be kind to yourself if you miss your daily routine. The important thing after a stumble is to return to your practice.
Wishing you every success!

Ben

[FaceaceRAWR]

Hi Ace,
All the very best with your ambition for August! If you're having difficulty with some distractions then it might be best to put them in a cupboard for a while. Also, be kind to yourself if you miss your daily routine. The important thing after a stumble is to return to your practice.
Wishing you every success!

Ben

Mmm, that's very wise. I'm pretty hard on myself and I guess it may hinder more than help my progress. Thank you, Ben.

Sincerely,
Ace

[dhammadiscipline]

Hi Dhammawill,

Sat for half an hour this morning. Had a lot of trouble following the breath, held on to it a couple times but 99% of the time was being pushed around my mind. Going to sit again tomorrow morning.

Its not an unusual experience. Certainly extend effort but also try and be relaxed about it and not have any expectations. When the mind wanders, gently return it to the object and try and keep it there for as long as possible.
All the very best,

Ben

Thanks for the suggestion Ben, you're right. I sat again yesterday, for a half hour, and had a similar experience. I'm going to sit again today.

--edit

sat outside this afternoon for about an hour. Got some good following of the breath in and did some walking.

[Ben]

Well done, Dhammawill!

[ramble on63]

hi all. ok having lapsed from any practice for several years the time feels right to 'start again'..like most men nearing the big '50' its a scary thought, so...in meantime (approx 18 months till half century :'() down to work. keep it simple, sit twice a day (started already), observe sila (last alcohol ten days ago was a heavy drinker prior) try stay mindfull, equanimous throughout day. may we all be successful !

[Ben]

hi all. ok having lapsed from any practice for several years the time feels right to 'start again'..like most men nearing the big '50' its a scary thought, so...in meantime (approx 18 months till half century :'() down to work. keep it simple, sit twice a day (started already), observe sila (last alcohol ten days ago was a heavy drinker prior) try stay mindfull, equanimous throughout day. may we all be successful !

Indeed! you may also find benefit by attending group sittings with co-practitioners. Depending on where you live, there may be a local group of meditators. I used to coordinate a group-sit for my co-practitioners a number of years ago and what my meditator friends told me was the experience of sitting with others once a week helped to recharge their batteries. And sometimes, its also a good thing socially to actually meet other meditators who will help to keep you inspired to practice.
kind regards

Ben

[dhammadiscipline]

Meditated today 11am-6pm, alternating between sitting/walking. Was very in the moment, still can feel the mindfulness. Going to sit again tomorrow.

[Ben]

Well done, Will!

[FaceaceRAWR]

Oops! Forgot to check in yesterday!

Anywhats,
---
Yesterday
I meditated in the morning as I desired.
I didn't meditate as long as I wanted to [concentration meditation] during the day. Insight is always my favorite; I love observing and knowing.
At night before bed I tried some concentration meditation BEFORE anything else. Big fail. The Insight worked well, but when I laid down afterwards I found myself depressed and thinking of a past relationship. I kind of discovered I'm still in love. That, really peeves me out, but I'm trying!
Today
I didn't meditate in the morning. I got woken up abruptly and then immediately distracted by a small child to watch.
Daily: I'm about to go attempt it. As of now I'm researching some different tips on meditation, namely that pesky concentration I struggle with.
---

Wish me luck! If anyone knows of any sites that have tips and techniques to aid in meditation please send a PM or post them here for me!

Meditated today 11am-6pm, alternating between sitting/walking. Was very in the moment, still can feel the mindfulness. Going to sit again tomorrow.

Good job Will! I can't wait to start alternating, but I'm not that far along yet...

hi all. ok having lapsed from any practice for several years the time feels right to 'start again'..like most men nearing the big '50' its a scary thought, so...in meantime (approx 18 months till half century :'() down to work. keep it simple, sit twice a day (started already), observe sila (last alcohol ten days ago was a heavy drinker prior) try stay mindfull, equanimous throughout day. may we all be successful !

Yes, may we all be successful! I wish you luck! I, also, would like to observe Sila [trying to quit smoking and an old drug habit] and stay mindful. Not to mention building a nice 'habit' [per say] out of meditation would be LOVELY!

I wish everyone luck on their goals!
p.s. I notice I've been easily angered lately [trying to quit ciggs]. Does anyone have tips? I don't want nicotine patches or ANYTHING like that. Not even medication to stop the craving... how can I deal with my anger? I've been smoking since I was like thirteen and today I got so mad at a video game that I literally felt like I HAD to hit something. I went for my thigh to avoid any damage to anything around me. I don't want to be like that EVER AGAIN. Help?

Metta,
Ace

[Ben]

Greetings Ace,
If the nicotine cravings are getting on top of you, and I know this is not what you want to hear, I still recommend going on a course of nicotine patches. When I was on the course, I started with 21mg patch per day for one month, then 14mg per day for another month and 7mg per day for the last month. The hardest part was not smoking for the 12 hours before I went on the nicotine replacement course. And I haven't had a cigarette since. That was years and years ago.
Your meditation practice in conjunction with your nicotine replacement therapy will give you every chance of success.

And well doen with your continuing good habit of meditation!
kind regards

Ben

[dhammadiscipline]

Thanks Ben, thanks Ace. Sat for a half hour today. My name actually isn't will, I mean the virtue of willpower.. as in, throw me some cause I'm running on empty

--

Sat for a half hour today. Going to sit again tomorrow.

[dhammadiscipline]

How's everyone doing? Faceace? Moth?

[Roadtripuk281]

Hieveryone, I'm new on here although I joined up a while ago. So many things have been happening in my life in recent times that i guess i haven't meditated for maybe more than a year, when ironically, to meditate would be the best thing for me.

So anyway, this has made me determine to start again and here I am committing to simply meditate for 2 x 10minute sessions twice a day through to the end of October.

Thanks for the inspiration guys, and I intend to post here dailt to let you all know how i'm getting on.

Metta
Martin

[dhammadiscipline]

Good man, I'll keep it up if you will

[Viscid]

I've been meditating for an hour each day, usually about 5 days of the week for the past 4 months. It's just straight anapanasati, focusing on the sensation of rising and falling of the abdomen like in the mahasi method, but without any mental labelling. I don't really care for insight until I have a very solid foundation.

First couple months were rather boring and tiring, but now an hour is relatively easy. I feel constantly engaged by my meditation object, which makes time go by rather quickly. By the second half of the hour, discursive thoughts are somewhat stilled, and I can stick with the breath, by putting a lot of effort into staying with the sensation of the rising and falling of the abdomen. There's a 'wall' whenever I approach absorption (I think? The breath seems to become more.. enveloping..) however, because I get very excited (even though I tell myself not to,) which results in me getting dissuaded and losing my concentration.

What's actually surprised me most is the change in my behaviour when I'm not practicing. I didn't really expect it. More grounded, better able to concentrate, care more about people, less in my own little world. I'm quite pleased with that.