meditate for 30 mins+ at least once a week

I used to attend tai chi classes on Monday and Buddhist meditation on Tuesdays, but as you can see from previous entries, I lapsed with my attendance to the Buddhist meditation classes.

There were two reasons for this: the first was that I realised Buddhism wasn’t for me and I went to the class to find out more about Buddhism as well as to meditate; the second reason was that tai chi has a greater meditative effect on me than the meditation class.

It would be what you call ‘meditation in action’ – this is different to the sitting meditation in the class. It got to the point that the clarity I sought in meditation classes came to me in tai chi classes instead.

I now practise tai chi at least once a week, and feel better for it mentally as well as physically. As far as I’m concerned, this has met the criteria for this goal and I therefore consider this as done.

I haven’t been to the classes for about 2 months now and I’ve only privately meditated about 2-3 times in that time for about 15 minutes. I’m not pleased with my progress on this. However, I would like to become more strict on myself with incorporating certain activities into my daily life, and meditation is on the list. Let’s hope I actually get somewhere with this, instead of slipping back all the time!

I got back to classes on Tuesday which was long awaited and decided to attempt to meditate outside of class as well, something I’d not actually managed to do before.

Last night, however, I finally got down to it and meditated for a brief session (only 15 minutes), which although isn’t half an hour, is better than I was doing before, so I’m happy :) I will be meditating again tonight – hopefully for a little longer :)

I now have my stool, so I want to start my meditation practice in earnest. Classes had been cancelled for 3 weeks and I didn’t actually do any meditation, so I’m not pleased with myself :( I need to be more dedicated to my goals…

I have class on Tuesday, so hopefully this will remotivate me :)

I’m getting a new stool specifically for me to use for meditation for my birthday – probably the most unusual present I have requested from my parents! I’ll be getting that this weekend and then I can use that at home to meditate effectively :) I find that the seating available can be either so comfortable you end up feeling sleepy or so uncomfortable you can’t think of anything else except the various aches and pains! I’m really looking forward to getting it :)

I went to the class on Tuesday and thoroughly enjoyed the discussions and meditation. Unfortunately, there is going to be no class over the next 3 weeks because our teacher is going to have lessons of his own with Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. From his perspective, that would mean “fortunately”, I guess :) Although in the long run, it’s also a “fortunately” for us too, if our teachings improve because of it! :)

Anyway, I aim to continue a weekly meditation regardless of the class taking place or not, so let’s see how I do over the next few weeks :)

My boyfriend and I had a massively long, deep and meaningful discussion concerning some very interesting ideas with respect to religion, spirituality and language. I know that I am dying to go to meditation class this week because I have so many thoughts and ideas going round my head that I just want to learn more in relation to them at the class. I wish I could go to the class more often! I feel like a sponge at the moment, just wanting to absorb loads of info about Buddhism and meditation, and other religions too – if only there were more hours in a day! :)

I went to my first meditation class since having moved here and I really enjoyed it. To start with, it is run by a Buddhist monk, which was a first for me. It wasn’t easy, but it was fun and served to make me more relaxed and to get my first encounter with a Buddhist teacher :) I will hopefully be going next week and along with martial art, the beginning of my week makes me feel incredibly stress-free :) I can’t wait for Monday again!!