Hello,
My name is Maggie Stevens and this essay is entitled,
The Answer is Practice.
Whether we are talking about getting to Carnegie Hall,
Learning a new skill,
Or deepening our meditation time,
The answer is the same.
Practice.
Experts disagree on the length of time one needs to learn a new skill.
Their answers vary greatly,
From 20 to 10,
000 hours.
The conventional wisdom suggests it takes 30 days.
The important point is neither muscle nor skills develop without practice.
On a recent tricycle webinar,
Joseph Goldstein,
Famed American Insight Meditation founding teacher,
Suggested that for every hour of listening or studying the Dharma,
One should practice two to three hours.
He gave this advice to a student concerned about information overload.
A benefit of the recent pandemic is that suddenly a bounty of teachings,
Webinars,
Summits,
And retreats are available online.
Previously,
One had to travel in order to access such teaching.
Goldstein wisely counsels listeners to follow the Buddha's lesson that great things are the result of small,
Good habits.
The Buddha did not say,
Do as I say,
Or even do as I do.
He urged people to try out his ideas and see what effects they produce in their own lives.
So how do we deepen our practice?
A good start is by committing to a daily formal practice.
The length of time isn't important in the beginning of the process.
Even if you sit for one minute with your eyes closed,
You are strengthening your practice.
Choose a time that works best for you.
Many people sit first thing in the morning before their minds get busy with the day.
Others choose to sit at the end of the day as a way of calming their minds and finding closure.
Creating a place to sit also supports a meditation practice.
It doesn't need to be a room or a fancy space.
You only need a comfortable place to sit,
Whether it's a chair,
A bench,
Or a cushion.
You may wish to decorate this spot with pictures,
Quotes,
Or other objects of beauty that will be both motivating and comforting.
You might also consider why you have chosen to have a meditation practice.
Is it to calm your body and mind?
To open your heart to yourself and others?
To change the tone of your self-talk?
Each time you sit,
It is helpful to focus on your intention,
And you may find that it changes over time.
Even when we commit to practice,
Flexibility is still an important part of meditation.
Perhaps you choose a morning schedule,
But you need to be out of the house an extra hour early that day.
You can change the meditation to afternoon or evening that day.
Our lives can be busy and chaotic.
Meditation is a gift we give ourselves,
Not a punishment or an obligation.
Additionally,
Our own needs change over time,
And we can be flexible with ourselves.
Lastly,
If you wish to develop a meditation practice,
See if you can commit to 30 days of sitting.
Just like with sit-ups,
Start slowly and be consistent.
Show up every day.
Be aware of variety.
You can choose walking or sitting practice.
You may try guided or timed practice with or without a meditation app.
As Aristotle said,
We are what we repeatedly do.
We can be our practice.
I hope you enjoyed this talk.
You can find more of my writings at www.
Metamindfulness.
Com.
Thank you for listening.
