The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
Reductor
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Reductor »

Hello Chris. I'm glad I'm not being too dull by posting here.

I get up at around 8am with the kids, and go to bed much to late for my own good at or around 1am (or so I am trying). If I get much more sleep than 7 hours I wake up stiff and sore. Less than that, and I'm a freaking zombie all day.

My hours of meditation are dictated partly from circumstance (kids resist sleep, and the wife sleeps much less than I do which means she is awake very early), and partly from temperament. I've tried early morning meditation, but just cannot make it feel natural. Eventually I just toss my hands up and resume these late night sessions.

It could also be diet, or the amount of exercise (or lack) I get on some days verses others. Or maybe its just that I am unaccustomed to this particular hour of the day.

Anyway, I am going to go sleep.

Take care.
Reductor
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Reductor »

Tonight I dug out the list of 32 parts and went over them. A couple of iterations and I had it memorized. With each pass, I would direct my attention to that part within my body. Often it seemed I could sense the part under attention, although in the case of the internal organs that must have been a perceptual matter more than a sensation of the body.

Anyway, I wasn't trying to ward off lust, but rather mental dullness. And in that respect I was successful: this contemplation was effective.

Hope everyone else had a good night.

Good night.
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Guy
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Guy »

I haven't been meditating...Any tips on self-discipline?
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
dhamma_newb
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by dhamma_newb »

Guy wrote:I haven't been meditating...Any tips on self-discipline?
Hi Guy,

Do you know anyone else who meditates? If you do you could ask that person or group of people to be your meditation partner(s) and just send each other a quick email every day letting the other person/people know you did your daily meditation and maybe even include some of the experiences and difficulties you are having during meditation. It's like having an exercise partner. Another good tip is to start off with a short meditation time, even 10-20 minutes at first is better than nothing, and work your way up from there.

With Metta,
Don
The watched mind brings happiness.
Dhp 36

I am larger and better than I thought. I did not know I held so much goodness.
Walt Whitman
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Guy
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Guy »

Hi Dhammanewb,
dhamma_newb wrote:
Guy wrote:I haven't been meditating...Any tips on self-discipline?
Hi Guy,

Do you know anyone else who meditates? If you do you could ask that person or group of people to be your meditation partner(s) and just send each other a quick email every day letting the other person/people know you did your daily meditation and maybe even include some of the experiences and difficulties you are having during meditation. It's like having an exercise partner. Another good tip is to start off with a short meditation time, even 10-20 minutes at first is better than nothing, and work your way up from there.

With Metta,
Don
If anything I have it too easy!

As the librarian at Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre, I have easy access to Ajahn Brahm and other great meditators, so, it is not for lack of Kalyana Mitta's that I do not meditate (as often as I might desire)...

However, I will take you up on the 10-20 minutes daily idea...will let you know how it goes. Perhaps I can set the timer for 10 minutes and go for longer if I want to.

Metta,

Guy
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
Reductor
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Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Reductor »

Well, that was the easiest hour to date. I've gotten more exercise today, as well as a high calorie intake (2800 cal) over the course of the day (as a part of improving my health, and appearance too - not very dhammic, but its been on going since mid October).

Tomorrow will have no exercise and a much lower calorie intake. Will there be a difference in mediation? Will the difference be attributable to these factors? Time will tell.

The actual meditation unfolded simply enough: count each in and out, in order to arrive. Count out breaths, feel in breaths. Body starts to come into view, I calm my breathing while not losing either the breath nor the body. Gradually the mind also begins to relax, and the experience in pleasant. I then turned my attention to the sense of stillness and pleasure.

Eventually that experience begins to break up, and I find my legs are starting to go to sleep. I recall to mind the 32 parts of the body, and go through the body trying to sense each - that is, I just recall that my body contains each.

Then I stood up and walked for 10 minutes, sat, and thought good thoughts about the various people I've run across today.

What will tomorrow be like? ????

:heart:
Reductor
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Reductor »

Guy wrote:I haven't been meditating...Any tips on self-discipline?
I've notice that habits form when we're busy chasing pleasure, or avoiding pain.

To actually set out to form a habit seems an alien concept to me, because a habit for habit sakes neglects to mention just what will be gained when said habit it realized.

So, perhaps you should think about what kind of pleasure you might obtain by meditating. Perhaps you can envision yourself avoiding some kind of displeasure? Unless you've conceived some reward which motivates you, you'll struggle.

For some, the idea that they will be great Buddhist practitioners is enough to motivate them. Others wish to obtain psychic skill.

Until you know what will really motivate you, I suggest you commit to 15 minutes or so each day this month, and then post here about your success and failure. If you agree to do so, I promise to give you a hard time when ever you neglect to post.

:hug:
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Guy
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Guy »

thereductor wrote:Until you know what will really motivate you, I suggest you commit to 15 minutes or so each day this month, and then post here about your success and failure. If you agree to do so, I promise to give you a hard time when ever you neglect to post.
hahahaha fiiiiine...
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
Reductor
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Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:52 am
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Reductor »

Guy wrote:
thereductor wrote:Until you know what will really motivate you, I suggest you commit to 15 minutes or so each day this month, and then post here about your success and failure. If you agree to do so, I promise to give you a hard time when ever you neglect to post.
hahahaha fiiiiine...
You are committing yourself? If so, then a clear statement of intent is in order, otherwise I might harass you needlessly. ;)
Reductor
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Reductor »

Tonight my wife was up late and sat in the living room where I normally meditate. When she'd finally went to bed I had become preoccupied with some reading on the internet, and delayed my sitting. So, I after coming to notice that the time was 12:40, I organized myself for a half hour instead of an hour.

Strangely my mind was quiet and seemed free of drowsiness, yet it also seemed to inert to be of much use. I walked a little, and then recalled the 32 parts to mind. During my second iteration of that list, my timer went off, which made it dreadfully hard to complete the list. It seemed so soon, too.

I'm not satisfied at my dalliance tonight.

Peace to everyone.
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Guy
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Guy »

thereductor wrote:
Guy wrote:
thereductor wrote:Until you know what will really motivate you, I suggest you commit to 15 minutes or so each day this month, and then post here about your success and failure. If you agree to do so, I promise to give you a hard time when ever you neglect to post.
hahahaha fiiiiine...
You are committing yourself? If so, then a clear statement of intent is in order, otherwise I might harass you needlessly. ;)
If you are still offering me a way out of committing to this commitment (did I mention I am a commitment-phobe?), then I will take that offer!

My ego is an eel-wriggler, for sure.
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
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Guy
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Guy »

Hi Reductor and All,

I know my personality somewhat well (though it is still subject to the law of impermanence) and I know it can be a stubborn ass at times. But at least it is not an impossible stubborn ass. In other words, it will take me a while, after initiating a wholesome intention (and even making a wholesome vow based on that intention) to undertake the desired course of wholesome action.

Bad habits, on the other hand, I am not so stubborn when it comes to forming those!!!

But, like I said, I know I am not impossible, just like a very heavy boulder that is sitting at the top of a mountain just waiting for the right conditions to start it rolling. Just a matter of time before my meditation starts rolling again, I believe. I appreciate the push though (which I asked for), thanks!

Metta,

Guy
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
Reductor
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Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:52 am
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Reductor »

:lol:

I'll stand here and blow in your direction, Mr. Boulder, although you shan't feel my influence. And when you begin rolling, I shall then take ALL THE CREDIT! Yea! :rofl:

On another note, I've done tonight's hour. The sitting portion of my session is becoming longer and longer.

Good night to everyone.

:heart:
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Ben
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Ben »

Well done, mate!
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725

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Guy
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Guy »

thereductor wrote:I'll stand here and blow in your direction, Mr. Boulder, although you shan't feel my influence. And when you begin rolling, I shall then take ALL THE CREDIT! Yea! :rofl:
Yeah, you have played your part, you deserve some of the credit, for sure. :)
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
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