Public Journal

leader, though not technically a teacher in the Tibetan Kagyu Lineage, has more experience. We read from a book, did walking meditation, and, at the end, had a short discussion where we shared our impressions.Back then, it seemed like there were a lot of events nearby. I went to several-day retreats, Dharma talks, etc. Now not so much.Now it is me sitting in a chair, doing my thing. Reading books and discussing online with people in a similar situation. I think this is true for people studying ACIM. Unless you are lucky enough to find a study group, you kind of have to feel your way through it. I think the program can help. Telling you every day your next lesson and text. And after reading, what do I feel about what I just read? I think this can be invaluable!

Today I’d like to recommending Journaling. I think you are a person who is mostly studying alone. Not a member of a study group, then Journaling is the next best thing to sharing in a group. In myacimj.com front and center is Journaling. Also you can share that Journal entry with everyone else. I am hoping that as the community grows at some point I’ll work on a messaging system of some sort. Now a little early. But Journaling keeps you thinking about what you really are learning and internalizing!

I want to post today about my feelings about the most important activity in everyone’s spiritual journey. That is meditation. I’m not sure you can change anything if you don’t meditate every single day. But how to get it started? You can get all the accouterments, an incense burner, special cushions, maybe some mood music, and even build a special room! But all you really need to do is sit. I have to sit in a chair because I broke my leg years ago, and getting up and down from the floor is very difficult. In my case, I tend to follow the Tibetan meditation. Just sit and try to empty your mind of thoughts. When one comes up, take note of it, mark it as thinking, and go back to sitting. Do this over and over until it is needed less and less. After 20 or 30 years, who knows, maybe you will become a Buddha? Me, ah, no, but I sit every day. See less

I decided I needed to add a story from my own background. I am a practicing Tibetan Buddhist, Kagyu lineage. Anyway, I started studying and specifically meditating like 30+ years ago. Around 20 years ago, I fell off a ladder and broke my leg. I can walk, but I do have trouble getting up and down off the floor. No way, when it was fresh, could I do my meditation practice. I kind of went round and round. Am I still a Buddhist since I'm not meditating? I had been to weekend retreats, had a group for several years I meditated with, now no meditation. Don't know how I woke up, but suddenly I thought, why can't I sit in a chair? Sure, I'm not being ver Zen like with that, but really, what is the difference? So from that day forward, I sit in a chair and meditate. Now what is the moral of this story? Kind of like the ad, just do it. Wake up every day and dedicate yourself to being a better person than yesterday, and meditate. Far as I'm concerned, As far that is the essence of any spiritual practice: Just do it!