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.
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Ben
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Ben »

Yes, Khalil Bodhi has done a fantastic job in setting up the Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge and the Uposotha Club groups. I think the app can be a very positive tool for people who are seeking additional motivation, structure and support for their meditation practice.
kind regards,

Ben
“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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Modus.Ponens
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Modus.Ponens »

I just want to share an experience of mine that has given me the discipline I needed to have a daily practice. I'm a lazy person, so for me to have a daily practice was always a nightmare. But I discovered the trick. Instead of aiming at sitting for 20, 30 or 60 minutes doing meditation, I said to myself: "well, I'll try doing walking meditation instead". So the trick is to be mindful in the time periods you're doing routine tasks that you would otherwise be doing with some aversion. For example, to go to the university I walk a good distance and take the subway. So I use that period to do walking meditation and, when I'm still, in the subway, doing mindfulness of the breath.

Not only is this beneficial in itself, because I end up cultivating my mind, but it also has the wonderful side effect of me having the discipline to sit for 30 minutes doing samatha. It's a win-win situation: time is not wasted, I practice mindfulness and on top of that it's much more likely that I sit to do meditation.

Simple, huh? Try it! :smile:
'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' - Jhana Sutta
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Ben
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Ben »

A great result, MP!
“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

Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global ReliefUNHCR

e: [email protected]..
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Khalil Bodhi
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Khalil Bodhi »

Reductor wrote:Hey all,

I downloaded that insight timer app, then searched for dhammawheel; KB has already made a group, so join up.

And I'm just putting this pledge out there: I'm going to renew my daily meditation practice in the simplest way possible, by meditating each day for no fewer than 10 minutes a day. Of course, I hope to grow that into something larger. As it is, though, I'll settle for this modest goal.

:anjali:
Anumodana! I'm always so inspired by my brothers and sisters in the Dhamma! Good work! :heart:
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183

The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
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http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
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Zenainder
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Zenainder »

If I may encourage early practitioners: do not fret quantity of time meditating, but rather QUALITY of time spent practicing. If you are worried about how long you are meditating, you are completely missing the point!

With metta!

Zen

P.S. - Not a bad idea OP!
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jadborn
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by jadborn »

Wow, what a great idea. I haven't been meditating consistently for the last few months, so I officially challenge myself to sit for at least 10 minutes everyday for just one week.

It's not much, but any amount of time spent sitting is good, right? Hopefully this will get me back on the horse!
"O Sariputra! Form does not differ from the void, and the void does not differ from the form. Form is the void, and the void is form."

my blog | my music | my poetry | email me!

Interested primarily in Sōtō Zen, but willing to learn anything from all you great Theravādin chaps!
Feathers
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Feathers »

The app is brilliant :-)
Coyote
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Coyote »

Now that my exams are over I want to get back into a steady meditation practice over the summer. I plan to sit for 2 hours a day, 1 hour in the morning and evening, consisting of both Metta and Anapanasati. I also want to keep the 5 precepts more strictly and move towards keeping the uposatha, at least partly - the food one may be an issue given that I live with my family and we eat together. I am not going to be hard on myself if I miss a day or don't quite reach my goal as it is a good chance to learn.
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
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Che Guebuddha
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Che Guebuddha »

Zenainder wrote:If I may encourage early practitioners: do not fret quantity of time meditating, but rather QUALITY of time spent practicing. If you are worried about how long you are meditating, you are completely missing the point!
I agree. Yet, this is the very part of the Dhammic Path to first "become a meditator" then to un-become by direct and actual realisation. Its a trap most (if not all) practitioners fall into at the start of their practice. Solidifying into a "meditator" will create suffering. Anicca teaches us that nothing is solid. If trying to solidify any phenomena Dukkha is born. Can't talk about Anatta because I have no direct insight about it. Was drowning in the Sea of Dukkha Nanas for a few years though, all because of "becoming" a meditator (feeling guilt when not sitting daily or feeling guilt if sitting short sessions, or feeling guilty if not being concentrated/blissful/didn't gain new insights, etc, etc, etc ...)

Practiced daily for 3 years. Stopped practicing for 2 years. Now feeling to get on with the practice again (but without becoming a meditator)

That said I will start using the Insight Timer App again from tonight and just keep rafting up the river ...

May we all benefit from the Dhamma :buddha1:
Up the river,
on and on,
The Practice carries on,
on the Dhammic raft.
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jadborn
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by jadborn »

jadborn wrote:Wow, what a great idea. I haven't been meditating consistently for the last few months, so I officially challenge myself to sit for at least 10 minutes everyday for just one week.
Woo! Looks like I did it! Now for one more week....... :sage:
"O Sariputra! Form does not differ from the void, and the void does not differ from the form. Form is the void, and the void is form."

my blog | my music | my poetry | email me!

Interested primarily in Sōtō Zen, but willing to learn anything from all you great Theravādin chaps!
starter
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by starter »

Reductor wrote:Hey all,

I downloaded that insight timer app, then searched for dhammawheel; KB has already made a group, so join up.
Hi Reductor and other friends,

Would it be possible to provide the link for the group? Where to downlod the insight timer app?

Thanks and metta!

PS: please excuse me if these questions have already been answered. I didn't read the 7 pages of the thread.
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Doshin
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Doshin »

starter wrote:Would it be possible to provide the link for the group? Where to downlod the insight timer app?
I guess it is: https://insighttimer.com/
starter wrote:PS: please excuse me if these questions have already been answered. I didn't read the 7 pages of the thread.
I know that feeling.

_/\_
Knowing about dhamma, does not imply knowing dhamma
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Ben
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Ben »

If you go to http://www.insighttimer.com and search for "Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge", you should be able to find our group there.
The group is only seven members strong. If you have difficulty finding the group, send either Khalil Bodhi or myself a PM on Dhamma Wheel with your insighttimer username and we will be able to invite you.
kind regards,

Ben
“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

Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global ReliefUNHCR

e: [email protected]..
duckfiasco
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by duckfiasco »

Eight members strong :)
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Ben
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Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Post by Ben »

duckfiasco wrote:Eight members strong :)
Fantastic, it will be great to have you on board.
Its a small group, for sure, but that doesn't matter if it provides you with the inspiration and motivation that is going to be beneficial to you.
with metta,

Ben
“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

Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global ReliefUNHCR

e: [email protected]..
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