The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

[bodom]

I'm going on my first ever 9-day retreat tomorrow...should be good.

It was really really really really ... good. I will go back again in June for another 9-day retreat. I didn't get enlightened this time, but hopefully I will next time.

[bodom]

1 hour metta/anapanasati.

[Refugee]

Hi Everyone,

I am presently doing 20 min morning and 20 min afternoon meditation. Intend to increase this to at least 25 X 2 min in May.

I start off my sitting meditation with anapanasati (breath awareness) and switch to vipassana as soon as I achieve a measure of calm. I work back and forth between these two modes of practice; mainly switching to anapanasati whenever my mind becomes too 'scattered' and needs to be calmed. This method (i.e. switching between these two modes) works quite well for me.

Do any of you see a "drawback" in switching between the two modes of practice in a single session?

[Sekha]

Here is my schedule when I am not busy (saturdays, sundays and days off):

3 am - 6 am : 3 hours ; 9:30 am - 12:30 : 3 hours ; 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm : 4 hours. With additional 10 mn after each session for metta bhavana = about 10 hours altogether

In the worst case (extremely busy day) it gets down to:
3 am - 6 am ; 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

On average, I meditate 7 hours a day. I consider extending it to 8 by waking up at 2 am instead of 3 am and meditate early in the morning for 4 hours instead of 3 hours previously. But it might be difficult because I am experiencing very deep burning sensations from inside these days.

I have no family and I stay home all the time. I get out only for work or to buy groceries.

[Guy]

Hi Refugee,

Do any of you see a "drawback" in switching between the two modes of practice in a single session?

There are a few teachers around these days who say that there is no such thing as "samatha" or "vipassana" meditation, instead, they say that they are aspects of the mind which are developed in meditation practice.

Ajahn Brahm uses the simile of a couple going up a mountain called "Meditation Mountain". The man is called "Mr. Sam Atha", he is going up the mountain because it is so calm and peaceful up there. The woman is called "Mrs. Vi Passana", she is going up there because she wants to see the beautiful view from the top of the mountain. Their dog, who happens to be called "Metta", comes up the mountain with them.

As they go higher and higher up the mountain Sam becomes more and more peaceful, but he also takes in the scenery. Vi enjoys the nice views, but she also finds it to be a very peaceful experience. Meanwhile, the higher up they go, Metta the dog wags his tail more and more.

In other words, the higher up "Meditation Mountain" you go the more stillness, insight and happiness comes to you regardless of what you started climbing for.

With Metta,

Guy

[bodom]

1 hour metta/anapanasati.

[Refugee]

Hi Refugee,

Do any of you see a "drawback" in switching between the two modes of practice in a single session?

There are a few teachers around these days who say that there is no such thing as "samatha" or "vipassana" meditation, instead, they say that they are aspects of the mind which are developed in meditation practice.

Ajahn Brahm uses the simile of a couple going up a mountain called "Meditation Mountain". The man is called "Mr. Sam Atha", he is going up the mountain because it is so calm and peaceful up there. The woman is called "Mrs. Vi Passana", she is going up there because she wants to see the beautiful view from the top of the mountain. Their dog, who happens to be called "Metta", comes up the mountain with them.

As they go higher and higher up the mountain Sam becomes more and more peaceful, but he also takes in the scenery. Vi enjoys the nice views, but she also finds it to be a very peaceful experience. Meanwhile, the higher up they go, Metta the dog wags his tail more and more.

In other words, the higher up "Meditation Mountain" you go the more stillness, insight and happiness comes to you regardless of what you started climbing for.

With Metta,

Guy

Thank you, Guy, for this interesting post.
Metta,
Refugee

[bodom]

45 minutes metta/anapanasati.

[oceanmen]

hope i can do daily 40-50 min in morning and 40-50 min in evening
and in weekends at 1 hour morning and 1 hour evening...
will see!!

metta

[bodom]

1 hour walking meditation.

I was able to get it in while my daughter napped. Thank you Maya! I find it better to walk than sit while she naps. Too many times I have sat down, got into posture, set the alarm for an hour and ten minutes in I hear her crying lol. Best just to walk so if i need to check on her im already in posture!

[bodom]

50 minutes walking.

[bodom]

1 hour metta/anapanasati.

[bodom]

1 hour metta/anapanasati.

[bodom]

1 hour metta/anapanasati.

[living peacefully]

30 minutes walking

[Khalil Bodhi]

Here is my schedule when I am not busy (saturdays, sundays and days off):

3 am - 6 am : 3 hours ; 9:30 am - 12:30 : 3 hours ; 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm : 4 hours. With additional 10 mn after each session for metta bhavana = about 10 hours altogether

In the worst case (extremely busy day) it gets down to:
3 am - 6 am ; 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

On average, I meditate 7 hours a day. I consider extending it to 8 by waking up at 2 am instead of 3 am and meditate early in the morning for 4 hours instead of 3 hours previously. But it might be difficult because I am experiencing very deep burning sensations from inside these days.

I have no family and I stay home all the time. I get out only for work or to buy groceries.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! You are an inspiration. I currently do 35 minutes morning and 35 at night and sitting/walking as the opportunity permits. I like to do 2 hours on uposatha days if possible. Anyway, much metta to you.

Mike

[Sekha]

thanx, Khalil
we are interconnected by our respective metta energy

------------------------------------------------------------------

As the energy of metta goes deeper, animals start not being afraid any more. But being worthy of this power requires extra equanimity.

This morning, the challenge would have been to remain perfectly still while one of these cockroaches (about 1,5 inch long) was crawling on my neck. But I wasn't able to. I shook myself until it got on the floor, I got up, took the broom and drove it out.

There is a space between the bottom of my flat's door and the ground, so they can get in and out by there. When it has rained a lot, they set out at night looking for a suitable dwelling place, and they visit my appartment.

[living peacefully]

30 minutes walking.

[Refugee]

Samatha Meditation - Minimum of 30 minutes morning and 30 minutes evening. A futher 30 minutes at midday if circumstances permit.

[Dhammabodhi]

Wholeheartedly agree with Khalil bodhi!

Dukkhanirodha, you are an inspiration! If you come to France anytime, do let me know!

Do remain the beacon of light that you are for weaklings like me.

With much metta,
Dhammabodhi