Join the BSBC for 108 Days of practice!
April 1-July 17 2008
Special Event July 17 (To Be Announced)
July 17 is also 'Dhamma Day', commemorating the Buddha's first
discourse. More info on Dhamma Day go HERE
Simply cross off the days you practice on the easy to use calendar
ALL ON ONE SHEET
Download Calendar HERE
Thanks for your participation!!!
It doesn't matter how long you practice for the 108 days to 'count'..... Just
practice at least once a day and cross off your days.
Use the time to gain a sense of discipline and regularity.
Here are some more tips:
1) Make it a formal practice. You will only get to the next level in meditation by setting
aside specific time (preferably two times a day) to be still.
2) Start with the breath. Breathing deep slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles,
focuses the mind and is an ideal way to begin practice.
3) Stretch first. Stretching loosens the muscles and tendons allowing you to sit (or
lie) more comfortably. Additionally, stretching starts the process of “going inward”
and brings added attention to the body.
4) Meditate with Purpose. Beginners must understand that meditation is an ACTIVE
process. The art of focusing your attention to a single point is hard work, and you
have to be purposefully engaged!
5) Do NOT Stress. This may be the most important tip for beginners, and the hardest
to implement. No matter what happens during your meditation practice, do not stress
about it. This includes being nervous before meditating and angry afterwards.
Meditation is what it is, and just do the best you can at the time.
6) Experiment. Although many of us think of effective meditation as a Yogi sitting
cross-legged beneath a Bonzi tree, beginners should be more experimental and try
different types of meditation.
7) Feel your body parts. A great practice for beginning meditators is to take notice of
the body when a meditative state starts to take hold. Once the mind quiets, put all
your attention to the feet and then slowly move your way up the body (include your
internal organs). This is very healthy and an indicator that you are on the right path.
8) Pick a specific room in your home to meditate. Make sure it is not the same room
where you do work, exercise, or sleep.
9) Read a book (or two) on meditation. Preferably an instructional guide AND one that
describes the benefits of deep meditative states. This will get you motivated. John
Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are is terrific for beginners.
10) Commit for the long haul. Meditation is a life-long practice, and you will benefit
most by NOT examining the results of your daily practice. Just do the best you can
every day, and then let it go!
11) Listen to instructional tapes and CDs.
12) Generate moments of awareness during the day. Finding your breath and “being
present” while not in formal practice is a wonderful way to evolve your meditation
habits.
13) Make sure you will not be disturbed. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make
is not insuring peaceful practice conditions. If you have it in the back of your mind
that the phone might ring, your kids might wake, or your coffee pot might whistle
than you will not be able to attain a state of deep relaxation.
14) Notice small adjustments. For beginning meditators, the slightest physical
movements can transform a meditative practice from one of frustration to one of
renewal.
