How to establish regular meditation

"More important than becoming a good meditator is being meditative in life." Stephen Levine

How can I establish a regular meditation practice (with my busy schedule)?

All meditation teachers recommend practicing every day because the benefits of meditation accumulate over time. But every teacher recognizes that a daily practice may be hard for some of us.

Stephen Levine says, “Don’t become stuck in ideas of how to practice. Just practice. You have to trust your own process."

“At first when we approach the unexplored mind, it is like a stretch of wild, untended ground. Some meditative tools break the hard surface, some refine the soil, and some encourage germination. All can be useful to help us cultivate the conditions in which the wild flowers of grace can flourish. So experiment! And then find one meditation technique or healing practice that feels right for you. Some are more suitable for one temperament or another, and you are the best judge about what’s right for you. When you find one, develop the habit of practicing it every day."

"Regularity may be more difficult at the beginning because your concentration is still developing. But your meditation practice will change over time. So, stick with it. Often the people who have most trouble at first wind up with considerable insight later on."

In Meditation for Dummies, Stephen Bodian adds: "Commitment is the foundation for your meditation practice, so make an agreement with yourself that you can surely keep. For example, you could decide that to address anxiety that troubles you, you will meditate for 20 minutes every day for one month. At the end of the month, either renew the commitment to yourself, or make a new one."

Books Available from Amazon

Guided Meditations, Explorations and Healings, by Stephen Levine offers dozens of different meditation techniques for developing compassion, confronting illness or grief, recovering from addictions or eating disorders, and working with pain. ($11).

Meditation for Dummies, by Stephen Bodian ($14) Bodian is a therapist and meditator who was also the editor of Yoga Journal magazine for ten years. His book covers all the basics and provides detailed instructions for a handful of meditation techniques.

Taking the Path of Zen, by Robert Aitken, ($10) This is the ‘how-to-meditate” book that you’ve been looking for, with detailed instructions about establishing meditation in your daily life.

Still the Mind: An Introduction to Meditation, by Alan Watts, ($10) and also available on CD ($13)

Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen, by Shunryu Suzuki ($10) and Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, ($10) and also on audio cassette ($30). It is safe to say that every Zen student has read both of these excellent meditation books by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.

Links

Stephen Levine is no longer teaching. He was interviewed for the PBS program "Thinking Allowed" and that video tape is available at www.thinkingallowed.com.

Robert Aitken founded the Diamond Sangha zen centers in Hawaii. www.diamondsangha.org

Shunryu Suzuki Roshi founded the San Francisco Zen Center, the Tassajara retreat center, and Green Gulch farm. All three accept overnight guests and offer a rich array of meditation training programs. www.sfzc.com

The Shambhala organization offers both Buddhist and Shambhala meditation programs all around the world. Check the site www.shambhala.org.


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Yoga Meditation Buddhist Meditation Shambhala Meditation Healing Meditation Jewish Meditation Christian Meditation Sufi/Islamic Meditation Creativity Meditation Meditation FAQs Meditation Centers Home	"More important than becoming a good meditator is being meditative in life." Stephen Levine How can I establish a regular meditation practice (with my busy schedule)? All meditation teachers recommend practicing every day because the benefits of meditation accumulate over time. But every teacher recognizes that a daily practice may be hard for some of us. Stephen Levine says, “Don’t become stuck in ideas of how to practice. Just practice. You have to trust your own process." “At first when we approach the unexplored mind, it is like a stretch of wild, untended ground. Some meditative tools break the hard surface, some refine the soil, and some encourage germination. All can be useful to help us cultivate the conditions in which the wild flowers of grace can flourish. So experiment! And then find one meditation technique or healing practice that feels right for you. Some are more suitable for one temperament or another, and you are the best judge about what’s right for you. When you find one, develop the habit of practicing it every day." "Regularity may be more difficult at the beginning because your concentration is still developing. But your meditation practice will change over time. So, stick with it. Often the people who have most trouble at first wind up with considerable insight later on." In Meditation for Dummies, Stephen Bodian adds: "Commitment is the foundation for your meditation practice, so make an agreement with yourself that you can surely keep. For example, you could decide that to address anxiety that troubles you, you will meditate for 20 minutes every day for one month. At the end of the month, either renew the commitment to yourself, or make a new one." Books Available from Amazon Guided Meditations, Explorations and Healings, by Stephen Levine offers dozens of different meditation techniques for developing compassion, confronting illness or grief, recovering from addictions or eating disorders, and working with pain. ($11). Meditation for Dummies, by Stephen Bodian ($14) Bodian is a therapist and meditator who was also the editor of Yoga Journal magazine for ten years. His book covers all the basics and provides detailed instructions for a handful of meditation techniques. Taking the Path of Zen, by Robert Aitken, ($10) This is the ‘how-to-meditate” book that you’ve been looking for, with detailed instructions about establishing meditation in your daily life. Still the Mind: An Introduction to Meditation, by Alan Watts, ($10) and also available on CD ($13) Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen, by Shunryu Suzuki ($10) and Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, ($10) and also on audio cassette ($30). It is safe to say that every Zen student has read both of these excellent meditation books by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. Links Stephen Levine is no longer teaching. He was interviewed for the PBS program "Thinking Allowed" and that video tape is available at www.thinkingallowed.com. Robert Aitken founded the Diamond Sangha zen centers in Hawaii. www.diamondsangha.org Shunryu Suzuki Roshi founded the San Francisco Zen Center, the Tassajara retreat center, and Green Gulch farm. All three accept overnight guests and offer a rich array of meditation training programs. www.sfzc.com The Shambhala organization offers both Buddhist and Shambhala meditation programs all around the world. Check the site www.shambhala.org.