Does anyone have a daily meditation practice? Would anyone like one but needs motivation?

[mangolassi]

Ooh, I feel all shy

I am agnostic and generally confused about spiritual things, but after recovering from a bout of pnd found a great book - The Mindful Way Through Depression. It has a programme of daily meditation, and I've tried in the past, but it's soooo hard to stick to with no support.

The meditation style in the book is 'western insight' - basically vipassana with the Buddhism taken out - but it would be great to have a thread for anyone trying to get started with daily practice, whatever kind of meditation appeals. Even better if there's anyone who actually has a daily practice already

hello all, hope everyone's feeling good...

I'm feeling a bit over-excited, myself

Any dates for starting 'the mindful way...' course? Louie, did it arrive yet? I think I get extra time to meditate now

thanks, very early days but it's either this or tell everyone I know irl

Congratulations mango!

Have ordered the book, I have sent it to my workplace so I am stalking our PA as I can't wait for it to arrive.

Had a peaceful moment yesterday when I was taking ds for a ride on his tricycle - the sunset was pink and orange and was just lovely. It always seems like you have a moment like that though and then something happens - came home to have a (non-serious) fight with dh. Will have to work on having good moments without something bad happening afterwards!

Congratulations mango - how amazing that you are going to have a little baby!!!

I'm really excited for you also!
I'm sure you'll have such a great connection with this baby. And your Dd also!!

How wonderful that a new being is coming to share your life, and be part of your family

Ommmmmm

ps thanks for the lovely comments gals
namaste

huge congratulations mango - am very pleased for you...how exciting

wrt dates for starting - if louie is joining us she'll need to read a bit first I guess...I am ready when you guys are, feb was a manic month for me but march looks much calmer...although am worried about the time element I am sure once I get stuck in it will just work, either first thing in am (tricky as I have to leave for work at 6.30am) or after putting kids to bed...

justabout - you mentioned your posture going to pot - have you thought about getting some alexander technique training? I found this wonderful...in fact should go back again...is very mindful and really wakes your body up to itself

I went to a shambhala meditation evening last night...it was very different to the one with FWBO and I didn't find it as comforting/comfortable...they recommend meditating with eyes open and I found this very difficult, as I couldn't retreat into a safe space but was constantly slightly on edge, slightly too aware of what was going on about me...I guess it will become easier as I become more familiar with the physical space of the meditation centre...

anyone else practise shambhala stylee? how is it for you?

much love to you all

I have the book! And after reading the first couple of chapters have just had a big as it describes me to perfection - especially the bit about ruminating too much.

I have had a quick flip through the 8 week plan and I think it would be good if I read the book first (obviously), but maybe a tentative starting date for not the next Monday but the one after (16th)?

aah yes Louie I remember that feeling of recognition when I read that bit about ruminating too...it all made sense all of a sudden...

justabout - I know Alexander is fairly expensive. I used to get it for a fiver a session at the university I worked at. Wonder if there are any students of teh technique near you who would be willing to use you as a guinea pig at a special knock down rate?

I am enjoying this brighter weather...still cold but nice and sunny (well, apart from the massive thunder storm yesterday)

haven't managed any meditation since the shmabhala outing last week but am hoping to get to the FWBO in croydon next week, I think their style suits me much better

in the meantime let me know when you folk are ready to start the 8 week thingy...

I can start Monday 16th, no problem.

I have some friends who meditate with their eyes open, and who don't worry about how much they move during a mediation either, but I find it too distracting. A friend of mine on a vipassana retreat was told by the monk leading it not to worry too much about needing to move, but whatever she did in the session, not to open her eyes - that makes more sense to me.

Ok, I'm in for 16th. I'll have three solid weeks but then will be away for 10days in Ireland so not quite sure how the practice will go then as will be alone with two kids visiting family - might be still able to get on with it, I hope. Actually the challenge will probably be more here in London with work, school and all those other day to day pressures...still, will give it a go. I haven't actually listened to the CD yet, although I have been re-reading parts of the book in preparation

have decided against going back to the shambhala group - I didn't enjoy it as much at all and for me at the moment I need to get some joy, or relaxation, or moments at least of calmness out of group meditation. Also, the group made me feel a bit strange, they were going on about being really drunk on sake at a celebration the week before and made a distinction between normal tea and "weird" (ie herbal) tea...a tiny thing I know but it just smacked a bit of all the things I thought buddhism wasn't about...I'm struggling to put my finger on exactly what made me uncomfortable about it but can't. Anyway, there are group meditation evenings in Croydon on a night that suits me with the FWBO. It's a bit further but I think I will try that, they do the mindfullness of breathing and the metta bhavana, both of which I find easier and more pleasant. Maybe the shambhala style is for a more experienced meditator...

enough rambling from me, am at work and we are very busy so I best get on before the stress piles up

hope everyone is well, is very quiet here...

oh, before I go, I found this woman's website which I found interesting. She is doing a weekend thing in Croydon on 18/19 April which I am sorry I can't get to...on the subject of wabi-sabi which I am growing intrigued by...am currently halfway through this book and it is thought provoking in a gentle, zen sort of way

Ooh, forgot to mention, I finally ordered Buddhism for Mothers - have to wait another week for it to arrive.

hello girls! all very interesting, as always. peanut - totally agree with your instinct to stick with the FWBO - sounds sensible. i wouldn't have felt too comfortable with the saki tales etc either. as for eyes open eyes shut - i was taught to meditate eyes semi-shut but i have to admit i do find it a lot easier eyes shut and that's what i tend to do myself.
my meditation group is going really well - meeting every two weeks at the moment, still in my living-room, it's usually the same group of 4 or 5 of us and we now feel very comfortable with each other and it's always a really lovely start to the week (it's on monday mornings, which i am lucky not to work) which i look forward to immensely.will continue to check in periodically. mango i finally finished 'buddhism for mothers' and have found it the single most useful childcare (well, mother care!) book i have ever read. wish i hadn't taken so long to get round to it and just bought a copy for a friend who just had her first baby (can't start too soon, i reckon ) back soon girls - hugs to all x

I have been lurking for weeks and ordered the book Buddhism for Mothers and find it really positive.
Has anyone heard of a book about Karma for children. I have tried to tell dd about it (don't know enough about it myself ) but it all sounds a bit of a 'tall story'when I try and tell her.
As she is coming up to puberty and there is a lot more of the unkind stuff going on between all the girls in her class / peer pressure etc. I thought it would be a good time.She is changing a lot and tbh thinks less about others feelings than she used to.
I need a book that is ideally aimed at young teenagers . Any ideas ?
thanks

Naah, rev - can't remember who came up with the BfM recommendation, but not me! Glad you're finding time to meditate while you're away - are you enjoying you trip?

Welcome Colette - sorry, I don't know of any books aimed at teenagers, hopefully someone who does will be along soon.

OK, so is everybody who wants to do the 8 week programme ready to start tomorrow?

"The second most important thing to remember is to practice every day even if, on some days, it might be for only 5 minutes. The most important thing is to remember that the real practice is none other than your life."

Week 1 (Chapters 3 & 5):

1. Body scan every day.
2. Pick one routine activity and try to be mindful every time you do it, as best you can. (Alternatively, try to bring awareness to all routine activities).
3. Try to eat at least one meal during the week mindfully.

Think I'm going to use driving for 2. Can only see 3 happening if dp takes dd to nursery one day so I can be alone for breakfast - kids are not conducive to mindful eating!

you had a trip without the kids fabulous! Have you been seesawing between enjoying it and feeling like you're missing your right arm? I have a work trip in May - a week in Cambodia - can't wait, but also feel a bit wobbly.

Body scan coming up...

Body scan (should take about 20 mins to complete):

1. Make yourself comfortable lying down on your back, in a place where you will feel warm and undisturbed.

1. Take a few moments to get in touch with the movement of your breath and the sensations in your body. On each out breath, allow yourself to sink a little deeper into the mat or bed.

1. Remind yourself that this will be a time for 'falling awake', rather than falling asleep. The idea is to be aware of your experience as it is unfolding, however it is. It is not to change the way you are feeling or to become more relaxed or calmer. The intention is to bring awareness to any and all sensations, or lack of sensations, you are aware of as you focus your attention systematically on each part of the body in turn.

1. Now bring your awareness to the sensations in the belly, becoming aware of the changing patterns of sensations in the abdominal wall as the breath moves in and out of the body. Take a few minutes to feel the sensations as you breathe in and out.

1. Now bring the focus of your attention down the left leg, into the left foot, and all the way to the toes. Focus on each of the toes in turn, bringing a gentle, interested, affectionate attention... perhaps noticing the sense of contact between the toes, tingling, warmth, perhaps numbness, perhaps even no sensations at all if that is the case. It is all okay. Whatever you are experiencing is okay; it is what is here right now.

1. When you are ready, on an in-breath, imagine the breath entering the lungs and then passing all the way down the body to the toes of the left foot. On the out-breath, imagine the breath coming all the way from the toes and the foot, right through the leg and torso and out through the nose. Continue breathing this way for a few breaths.

1. On an out-breath, let go of your toes and bring your awareness to the sensations in the bottom of your left foot - bringing a gentle, investigative awareness to the sole of the foot, the instep, the heel...

1. Allow the awareness to expand into the rest of the foot - to the ankle, the top of the foot, right into the bones and joints. Then take a more intentional breath in, directing it down to the whole of the foot, and as the breath lets go on the out-breath, let go of the left foot completely, allowing the focus of awareness to move into the lower left leg - the calf, shin, knee and so forth, in turn.

1. Continue to scan the body:

left shin, left knee, left thigh; right toes, foot and ankle, right lower leg, right knee, right thigh; pelvic area - groin, genitals, buttocks and hips; lower back and the abdomen, upper back, chest and shoulders. Then move to hands, both at the same time. rest first with sensations in the fingers and thumbs, palms and backs of the hands, wrists, lower arms and elbows, upper arms; shoulders again and armpits; neck; face - jaw, mouth, lips, nose, cheeks, ears, eyes, forehead; then the entirety of the head.

10. When you become aware of tension or intense sensations in any part of the body, you can 'breathe in' to those sensations...

11. The mind will inevitably wander away from the breath and the body from time to time. That is entirely normal. It's what minds do. When you notice it, gently acknowledge it, then gently return your attention to the part of the body you intended to focus on.

12. After you have scanned the whole body, spend a few minutes being aware of a sense of the body as a whole, and the breath.

13. If you find yourself falling asleep, it might be helpful to prop your head up with a pillow, open your eyes, or do the practice sitting up.

Hi Everyone and welcome to Colette - sorry I don't know any books for teenagers - hopefully someone will come along soon!

rev glad to see you had a good time.

I am ready, mango to start the practice tomorrow- although I was going to read the book thoroughly this weekend and I left it at work.

But I am sure I can start tomorrow - looking forward to it.

Colette - I'm not sure if the relaxkids website would have anything of use for your DD. They do meditation cds for younger kids which are meant to boost confidence etc.. but there may be something of use for her age group.

www.relaxkids.com/

My DD (5) enjoys their princess' cd

BTW is it possible to meditate and pack ? We're moving house and it'll be my first permanent home having lived in rented accommodation for the past twenty odd years. I want to put a buddha in the garden but aetheist DH objects strongly!!

Hope you are all well.