My personal meditation practice

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I started my regular practice with a 1,000 day vow to sit every day. That was a bit over 1,600 days ago, so I guess it worked. ;)

I sit for 32 minutes every day. Usually first thing in the morning, but not always.

My style is a mix of shikan-taza and self-inquiry.

1 – settle in
2 – do Douglas Harding’s pointing experiment to hone in on the target of inquiry, namely me
3 – watch my breath for a 10 count, re-starting however many times it takes to get all the way to 10 without getting pulled away by thoughts, or losing my place
4 – turn attention directly to me for one moment
5 – sit and attend to whatever happens

I do prostrations after to honor the practice, dedicate it to the awakening of all, and get feeling back on my legs. ;)

posted December 22, 2011

7 Answers

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Great practice. 
I have a heck of  time to get to 10. Don't think I ever have. But, I keep trying. I think that is the point. I realize I have strayed away and bring myself back as many times as it takes. I try for at least 20 min of practice and study every day. I am working on it. I to have to manage a couple of extended childs and downward dogs to get the feeling back in the legs as well. 
Namaste
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Thanks, Jay!

I did an interview with Richard Lang on my site recently.  He is the curator and creator of headless.org and he is carrying on Douglas' work quite admirably.

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Hi Travis

 

Well, that there vow was an intention if ever I’ve seen one!  Your practice shows the diversity and similarities of meditation practices.  I’m impressed at your continuing resolve and commitment and how it’s obviously working for you. 

 

Really curious to know what lead you to set the vow in the first place or did it just seem like the ‘right’ thing to do? 

 

Kris

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Thanks for sharing this Travis. I googled this Douglas Harding pointing experiment and it seems like a very interesting practice.  http://www.headless.org/experiments/pointing.htm
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Jay
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Interesting thanks! :)
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Jay
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Kristina, I answered your question as a story, here.

Cheers!
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Mamadel,

Namaste!

It may be we have a different take on what those 10 breaths are.  I used to try to have 10 counts with no thoughts whatsoever.  I found that to be impossible (of course I may not have tried long enough.) 

Rather, what I do is 10 counts where I don't "hook into" any thought that comes up.  If I can let them drift by, noting and noticing, but not engaging, then that's good enough for me.  ;)

Cheers!

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