Meditation - encouragement, support and nagging

[MintCakeMavis]

I've been meditating infrequently for about a year now and want to get in to a daily routine, but I could do with some meditation buddies to encourage, support and nag to make sure this happens.

Anyone fancy joining me?

Hi there Mavis, I'll join you. I try to do 5 minutes meditation on a daily basis which is better than nothing I reckon!
If you need some nice daily emails from a Buddhist perspective look at Tricycle online and the TinyBuddha daily blog is really good. www.tricycle.com
I find that these help me remember to meditate!! DO you ever go to a meditation group? I've been along to one a few times and it's rather nice to meditate in a group.

WW

Hi WW :)

No I've never been to a group. I live in a v rural area so no groups round here that I can find. I'll check out tricycle.com. Ta

I like the approach of something is better than nothing. I've got uni work to do tonight but I'll have some time before my bath to sit.

How long have you been meditating?

HI Mavis,
Hmm I've been trying to meditate intermittently for about 2 years. I first got interested after lurking around here on a meditation thread and a few people recommending a book called Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali. (Good book - worth getting) ANyway that's about it really, I don't really know anything about Buddhism or meditation except I do like having 5 minutes of sitting in front of a candle every day and focusing on my breathing. I like the Tricycle and Tiny Buddha and also Moma Zen blog. (momazen is Karen Mazen Miller who wrote Hand Wash Cold). Also the Awakened Heart Sangha has some interesting online stuff...
Metta
WW

Hi again,
I forgot to say that it's really nice to go to Quaker meetings as they simply sit in silence - and essentially meditate. I find Quaker meetings wonderfully restorative, particularly in stressful times. Also with Quakers you can have a faith or none - everyone is welcome. Have a look at Quakers online - you may even have a meeting house near you.
WW

I go to a weekly meditation group and then try to do 10 mins each day but have been a bit slack lately so I will join you.

My teacher normally does a reading in our meditation which I really like. We have been using "turning the mind into an ally" by Sakyong Mipham.

Hi - it's good to hear I'm not the only that's trying this. I think my family would just roll their eyes at this. None of them enjoy taking any time out of anything but are constantly on the go.

Thanks for the recommendations for books - it was reading Buddhism for Mothers that started me on this path when DS was 6 months old and I was getting sorted out after I realised I had PND. It helped me gain a bit of 'me' back if that makes sense.

How long do you meditate for in your weekly group sailorsgal?

Oh, and this is working for me as I've meditated every night for the past week :) so thanks!

We meet for an hour and a half but we meditate in segments of around 10 to 15 minute segments which includes walking meditation aswell.

A really good book is The New Meditation hand book by Geshe Kelsand Gyatso, 21 meditations on love, compassion etc
It really gives my day a lift when Im able to do at least 5 minutes in the morning.

sorry (sp!) Geshe Kelsang Gyatso