Based on the discussions I have seen so far, I am uncertain whether this is the sort of question likely to meet with helpful response here, but I am honestly curious and some participants seem kind enough, so here goes.
Some backstory: I got into meditation in the late nineties, as it was part of my dojo’s compulsory training (breathing control, yoga, short 5 min zazen, no theory). I used it for calming and focusing effect throughout the years, dabbled in a bit of Tai Chi, but around the time I started working for 50-70 hours a week in 2004, I stopped.
A couple of years ago, that high intensity work turned sour (I like my work, so the hours are not a burden, but my best colleagues all left in protest at toxic management, things went downhill from there) and I picked up meditation again, mainly breath counting and calming practices. Looking for a timer app, I found Headspace, Insight Timer and the Waking Up apps, through them the Theravada texts and - closing the circle from my dojo - Zen, finally getting some context for zazen.
Now: 5 months on from picking up zazen again and studying materials that seem widely accepted as worthwhile (e.g. mumonkan, beginner’s mind, heart sutra and lectures on these). My practice is not daily but certainly 5 times a week for about 20 minutes daily. I am certainly noticing the effect of being more aware of my own thoughts and emotions as they arise. My family (married and three small kids) do not fully understand the small changes, but appreciate them.
I do practice largely in solitude and I wonder if people could shed some light on how they feel practicing with a teacher and in a community benefited their practice. Thank you for reading.
Submitted February 03, 2020 at 03:52AM by Batavian1 https://ift.tt/2ugQJwL
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