Practice

I do write like to write anything about myself concerning my practice of Buddhism, because I want to be careful not to sound like I am bragging. I am no more nor less than anyone else, but I thought if I shared my practice with you that it might inspire you to do something similar.

When I enter my meditation room, I present sit in a chair since I recently had surgery that will not allow me sit on my cushions. Of course, I sit in the regular meditation position. I stike the bell once to indicate that the session has started. I do not form an oval with my fingers. I simply rest my hands, palms down on my thighs. I breath very normally and begin by counting my breaths on the outbreath. As I am meditating I remain focused on my breath and if a thought or thoughts penetrate through my concentration, I think simply, "thinking" and I go back to focusing on my breath. Sometimes I barely get through the 10 minutes because I am "thinking" more than I am focusing. But, that is normal and anyone who is honest will tell you that meditation is not the easiest thing you will every do. After 10 minutes of focusing on my breath, I strike the bell again.

I then recite the five mindfulness trainings:

The First Training: Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking and in my way of life.

The Second Training: Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants and minerals. I vow to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on earth.

The Third Training: Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.

The Fourth Training: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord; or words that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

The Fifth Training: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self transformation and the transformation of society.

At the word "society" I again strike the bell twice, once to signify that I am finished with the trainings recitation and again to enter into reciting the refuge vow:

"I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life,

I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding and of love,

I take refuge in the Sangha, the community that lives in harmony and awareness"

I stike the bowl twice, once to signify that I have finished the refuge vows and another to signify that I
am starting the Dedication prayer,

"Practicing the way of awareness, gives rise to benefit without limits,

I vow to share the benefits with all beings."

I strike the bowl three times to signify the presence of the three refuges and my session ends.