Developing a Daily Meditation Practice with Guest Bodhipaksa
Nov 5, 2023
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In this engaging podcast, guest Bodhipaksa, an expert in meditation techniques, shares insights on developing a daily meditation practice. The hosts discuss the importance of consistency and the benefits of starting with short meditation sits. They also explore the power of feeling good about your practice, the benefits of longer meditation sessions, the significance of rituals and chanting, and maintaining a vegan diet. The episode ends with a discussion on supporting the community and working on a book.
Starting with shorter meditation sessions and gradually increasing the duration helps develop a consistent daily practice.
Believing in one's ability to meditate regularly and practicing self-compassion are crucial for maintaining a daily meditation practice.
Deep dives
Developing a Consistent Daily Practice
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the importance of developing a consistent daily meditation practice. The guest, Bodhipaksha, shares his own experience struggling with maintaining regular meditation practice and how he overcame it by teaching others. He created a course called 'Get Your Sit Together' and eventually turned it into a book. The hosts emphasize the significance of starting with shorter meditation sessions, such as five minutes, and gradually increasing the duration as the practice becomes more ingrained. They also explore the idea of having a designated meditation space and incorporating rituals like chanting or lighting incense to enhance the practice's meaning.
The Power of a Daily Meditation Practice
The hosts dive deeper into the benefits and challenges of maintaining a daily meditation practice. They reflect on the profound impact that consistency can have on transforming oneself and how meditation can bring about positive changes in relationships and interactions with others. The guest mentions how others may notice positive shifts in someone's demeanor even when the practitioner feels that nothing has changed. They also highlight the need to let go of the concept of 'good' or 'bad' meditation and celebrate any meditation practice, regardless of the perceived quality of the session.
Building a Strong Self-View through Practice
The conversation delves into the role of self-view in maintaining a daily practice. The hosts discuss how the belief in one's ability to meditate regularly can shape their habits and perseverance. They share personal mantras like 'I meditate every day' to reinforce the identity of being a regular meditator. The guest also emphasizes the importance of self-compassion when facing challenges or lapses in practice, as well as the need to avoid getting discouraged by unrealistic expectations.
Exploring Short vs. Long Meditation Sessions
The hosts explore the benefits of shorter and longer meditation sessions. They explain that shorter sessions, like five minutes, help build momentum and consistency, while longer sessions allow for a deeper experience and more moments of intentional presence. The guests highlight the value of not getting caught up in the idea of a 'perfect' meditation and instead focusing on the overall commitment and progress. They also mention the potential for unexpected insights and transformation that can arise when pushing through the initial resistance or discomfort during longer sessions.
What are some techniques we can use to develop a regular meditation practice? Doug and Jon's guest Bodhipaksa has taught a course on this and is in the process of writing a book about it. Lots of good advice in this episode!