daily practise

[michaellangelo]

hey,

recently i'v been pondering over daily practice, and what should be practised.
i normally wouldn't ask for advice as i tend to just learn from others visually, but i wonder if anyone could help me.

i dont really have a set daily practice, so what i focus on each each day/week tends to change. but i'v been wondering if this is a practical way to go about it.
i'm aware that many people have focused on particular issues such as controlling anger for many many years, so i question whether i should take a similar approach (but for not quite as long) in order to gain deeper understandings.
however when i feel myself focusing on an issue i feel as though i am neglecting others.

i have a copy of 'the meditation handbook' by geshe kelsang gyatso and think its layout for practice is very practical, but i feel i am in a few different minds on this as a whole, so it would be greatly appreciated if anyone could disscuss how they feel about this issue.

thankyou,

peace

[samabudhi]

Hi Michaellangelo

I remember watching a program on a girl who had been in a fire. Her face was terribly disfigured and she had been through a lot of pain.
Months after the fire, all she could think about was her plight, and it didn't allow her to get on with life. So her sister advised her that she should put 5 or 10 minutes aside each day for feeling sorry for herself, and the rest of the time she was not allowed to think of the fire or her disfigurement.

So in the same way, I think if you give time to an issue, it would be good.
I'm sure Geshe would agree that you should keep a calm-abiding practice as your base, to still and focus the mind. Then you can do anything else over and above that, applying the focused mind to dharmas that keep reoccuring, as in your case it is anger.

'That by which you are bound shall you be freed.'
- Hevajra Tantra

PS See the true nature of anger, there is no controlling it. Seeing is doing.

[michaellangelo]

thanks samabudhi that makes a lot of sense, much appreciate the reply

[Pathless]

Originally Posted by michaellangelo

recently i'v been pondering over daily practice, and what should be practised.

i have a copy of 'the meditation handbook' by geshe kelsang gyatso and think its layout for practice is very practical, but i feel i am in a few different minds on this as a whole, so it would be greatly appreciated if anyone could disscuss how they feel about this issue.

peace

Hi M,

Thanks for bringing this topic up. I've been thinking about the same thing recently. Since I very rarely sit for meditation these days, I find myself wondering if I am even practicing. But then I remember that practice is more than sitting, and so I think about the different ways that I can practice in my waking and active life. Some of my favorites:

• Mindfulness of thought processes and emotions--a great foundation for daily practice.
• Intellectual analysis of how different things are interconnected; for example: how a stranger is related to me; what elements it took to grow a piece of food or a plant; how even my smallest actions are affected by my intention and the effect that these actions and intentions have on others and the state of my community, ecosystem, state, nation, world, and so forth.
• Practice of seeing impermenance. This one can be particularly difficult, but also incredbly liberating: acknowledging and recognizing the transcience and impermanence of all phenomenon, including people, places, loyalties, ideas and concepts, and many more. There is the classic practice of visualizing oneself as a rotting corpse. For me, the more difficult practice is to imagine what life would be like without my life partner. I ask myself: what would change? Would I be able to be the person that I am now without her? And then: why, or why not?
• The practice of intention and action. I mentioned this in the 'intellectual analysis' bullet point, but it deserves more attention, as it is currently my favorite practice. Here is a visualization that someone may want to use:
  • Visualize your ideal world. This cannot be a no-state of 'Nirvana,' but must be an objective, solid reality, like this earth; although it can certainly be more in balance and in-tune with your deepest aspirations and values. If you aspire for peace, imagine a peaceful world--whatever that means to you.
  • Contrast your ideal world with the 'real world.' It may help to have a piece of paper to make a list of differences.
  • Focus on one difference or one issue, and really illustrate the differences between the ideal state of your world and the 'real' state of your world.
  • Begin to map out some concrete steps you can take--start small and basic--to bring your ideal reality in line with the 'real' reality. Again, the piece of paper and pen will be helpful here.
  • Once you have some ideas, pick the simplest one to implement. Now go do it! If you are not sure how to start, it's okay. Don't deliberate too much, but try to come up with a plan of action quickly, then go do it.

This exercise is a good starting point for a practice of engaged Buddhism. As Buddhists, we strive to see the interconnections between all beings as well as make an individual effort towards liberation and peace. In my opinion, engaged community activism is a wonderful way to integrate these two goals--goals that sometimes seem isolated from and opposed to each other.


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My thoughts. Thanks again, Michaelangelo, for bringing this topic to the table.

[toujour_333]

well, i have a very different point of view on the topic of daily practice. i believe that daily practice is great, but if u begin to force yourself to sit and meditate or chant mantras, or whatever it is you do, then it becomes harmful. its ok to take breaks from practice. i personally try to meditate everyday where i just sit and chant a few mantras, then i do the metta bhavana, and sometimes i just sit and relax in the silence of that moment and reflect on the peace and serenity of that moment. but, if i dont get to meditate one day, then its ok too. if u begin to force yourself to do things, then its only going to make u want to rebel b/c youre not enjoying yourself. just let things happen, thats my best advice. i hope that this helps you upon your path towards enlightenment and buddhahood.

be well in peace

[michaellangelo]

thanks for ur post toujour, i see what you mean. sometimes i do find myself having to put twice as much effort in to actuall get my meditation seat, but thats because i know when i actually do sit down everything will be clear and peacefull. i know it'll be worth the effort.

thanks again T