zenjones

Practice period is over.

What have I learned? What was the value?

First: the gratitude practice was most helpful. I have added in the weekly “gratitude day,” and the nightly reflection has been second nature lately. It was something I’d tried to do for years; I’m grateful it worked this time.

The weekly pattern interrupts were most enlightening. I had to struggle with staying with the experience most of the time. I missed my comforts—and was able to see how much of my actions were seeking comfort.

I also saw how I used anger as a defense—I was so cranky, so easily annoyed. Especially during the week when I gave up my reading habit.

One effect of practice period is in the intensification of my usual daily practice. For example, today is Loving Kindness Meditation Day and while it is only 10 am I have noticed already three times my propensity for separation—heard that little voice say “not me”—and have breathed into the center of the chest, and thought “May you dwell in the open heart.” Usually I do the meditation in the morning and forget about it. But I believe practice period has brought practice nearer the surface.