Anyone have a regular meditation practice?

[zazenist]

Meditation fascinates me, and I love to talk to other people about what they do, why they do it, and what it means for them. I like to hear about their obstacles and their breakthroughs. I've had a serious, regular practice, a sort of combination of Buddhist and yogic methods, for about three years. So, any others?

[JustJoy]

I'm Buddhist and used to have a regular meditation schedule, but I've gotten off track the past few months. I need to get back into the groove. What type(s) of meditation do you do?

[perSue]

yep, i do yoga regularly and part of my practice is to incorporate meditation.
i feel you can have a healthy body, but the mind is ignored a lot.
so i exercise, eat right - for my body, and meditate for my mind.
i always feel better, more energetic and am able to handle stressful situations better and have a sense of clarity if there's a problem I need to resolve.
it works for me!

[dcompton]

I'm embarrassed that mine has pretty much fallen apart lately. I explored Buddhism, but ended up in Vedanta, the variety associated with the Sri Ramakrishna Order. I'm going to one of the centers for some retreat time (and to see my friends) in March. I'm hoping that will jump start it again. I whine about how hard it is to stay motivated when there is no spiritual community locally, but harder, after all, isn't impossible. The formal meditation needs to get back on track. The established meditation routine there should help reestablish the habit. At least, I'm hoping....

[quiltergirl]

I do but it has evolved over the last thirty years. I can't really describe it -- some yoga, some TM, some Chirstian contempletive prayer, some guided imagery with a bit of Unity influences thrown in.

[zazenist]

Thanks for the replies, all! I've had the same experience with practice - sometimes it gets lost in the shuffle, but I don't feel guilty about it, nor should anyone. If you read biographies of some of the greatest sages, they had dropout periods, too. Sure discipline is one dimension of practice, but it happens. Beating yourself up is NOT a Buddhist concept! :-)

I'm glad to hear practices are evolving - that's just what they should do. And I am so happy for dcompton going on a retreat - I've done day retreats, but not a long one. It's taken me a while to get to the point where I'm ready, but I am now - just a matter of doing it. Retreats can be expensive!

My diet is definitely influenced by my spiritual practice too. I totally agree with perSue - this isn't just about mind. I do yoga too. Otherwise, my meditation is mainly Buddhist (I've studied in Zen as well as Tibetan traditions) along with some pranayama-based meditation from the yoga tradition. I can't say how much I have been helped by all this. Physically, of course. And I, too, have developed a much calmer, clearer approach to life. I don't care so much anymore about things I used to get worked up about that don't really matter. When I have to make a decision, I agonize much less about it. I have much more insight, or clarity, as to what is the right thing to do. And that doesn't even begin to touch the spiritual benefits, so I encourage all of you to not lose heart and to try and stay with whatever is working for you.

One day, I hope to be able to be a teacher of mindfulness meditation (http://www.shambhalasun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1859).

Thanks for sharing your stories, and keep them coming!

[Squirt]

I do. Not often lately, but just the thought of it is refreshing.

[sweetlittle]

I "pray" meaning talk with my Angels. I have worked as a psychic for over 14 years now and I simply talk with my Angels and any other higher sources daily. Sometimes it is in a quiet setting and sometimes it is in the midst of choas....it really doesn't matter for me just so I acknowledge them working within my life. I always feel better, more at ease and able to focus on what is important to my life.