Establishing a Strong Daily Practice

[UpwardBound]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of establishing a strong daily practice and thought it'd be helpful to get your feedback. I am in the busy middle of the householder life with a full time career, children, etc. I have studied Theravada Buddhism for years now and have had strong practice habits off and on, but now I'm starting to understand the value of Buddhism on a much deeper level. I know there's not a silver bullet response, but what would you say are the components or strong daily practice for somebody devoted to developing along the path, but without the resources of a teacher or direct guidance that comes with it. I know a large amount of meditation and Buddhist study would be beneficial, but in your experience how would you recommend somebody go setting about daily goals to make progress in this life?

[Khalil Bodhi]

HI UpwardBound,

I, too, am a father, husband and all-around layperson. Over the years I have gradually built up a practice regimen that helps me to integrate the Dhamma into the weft of my everyday life. Forgive me for being so forward but the following is how I try to structure my day:

Recitation of the Buddha Vandana | Tisarana | Eight Lifetime Precepts | 5 Subjects for Frequent Recollection
Cultivate the brahma viharas during a morning seated meditation
Anapanasati during formal seated meditation
Listen to a Dhamma talk
Read a verse of the Dhammapada
Post to my practice blog with an issue related to my practice of the Dhamma
Use my mala while commuting or walking outside to internally repeat the mantra “metta-karuna-mudita-upekkha“
Radiate loving-kindness to all beings that I come across during the day and returning to the above mantra when I find myself with idle time (which is rare)
Give to whoever asks during the course of the day
Chant verses of loving-kindness and parittas in the evening and do at least 15 minute formal seated meditation
Chant the complete Dhammacakkappavattana sutta each night until I memorize it. I will use the Dhammaruwan version for this purpose. The full text can be found here: http://www.ancient-buddhist-texts.net/T ... suttam.htm
This is the compilation of suttas, parittas and recollections I created some time ago and use everyday and is available as a free downloadable PDF: Daily Dhamma Practice

I hope this helps. Sukhi hotu!

[UpwardBound]

Khalil Bodhi,

My goodness, thank you! This is exactly where I'd like to be. This sort of daily dhamma practice is inspirational, and I think you're right in that it is something that is built over a span of time. You mentioned a practice blog, while I don't blog myself - perhaps this (or somebody else's) is a good way to document somebody taking up the practice in earnest and building over time. Does anybody know of such an account, where the daily integration builds in this way? Thank you again for your post, I still feel like I'm unsure of how to begin and how to start building--but I have no doubt that this is a site I'd like to set my aim upon.

[Khalil Bodhi]

I'm glad it is helpful. The blog for me is just a way of integrating the Dhamma into the massive amounts of time I spend online with my job (my company is web-based). I think the important thing is to incorporate study, contemplation and cultivation into your life on a daily basis. My practice blog can be found in my profile if you want to see how I do it but it may be of little use if you don't blog. Anyway, best of luck to you and there are many other great, serious Dhamma-farers here on DW as well. I hope to see you post more often. Be well!

[SamKR]

HI UpwardBound,

I, too, am a father, husband and all-around layperson. Over the years I have gradually built up a practice regimen that helps me to integrate the Dhamma into the weft of my everyday life. Forgive me for being so forward but the following is how I try to structure my day:

Recitation of the Buddha Vandana | Tisarana | Eight Lifetime Precepts | 5 Subjects for Frequent Recollection
Cultivate the brahma viharas during a morning seated meditation
Anapanasati during formal seated meditation
Listen to a Dhamma talk
Read a verse of the Dhammapada
Post to my practice blog with an issue related to my practice of the Dhamma
Use my mala while commuting or walking outside to internally repeat the mantra “metta-karuna-mudita-upekkha“
Radiate loving-kindness to all beings that I come across during the day and returning to the above mantra when I find myself with idle time (which is rare)
Give to whoever asks during the course of the day
Chant verses of loving-kindness and parittas in the evening and do at least 15 minute formal seated meditation
Chant the complete Dhammacakkappavattana sutta each night until I memorize it. I will use the Dhammaruwan version for this purpose. The full text can be found here: http://www.ancient-buddhist-texts.net/T ... suttam.htm
This is the compilation of suttas, parittas and recollections I created some time ago and use everyday and is available as a free downloadable PDF: Daily Dhamma Practice

I hope this helps. Sukhi hotu!

Sadhu!
It's inspiring.