Bud Valley:
I've been studying/practicing Buddhism for about a year now, and reading MCTB has really energized and motivated me to take my meditation more seriously. I was wondering if some of you could take a look at my practice plan and offer some feedback....
Hi Bud,
Welcome to the DhO.
Without being able to question you further about what attracted you to this study/practice, it would be interesting (and helpful) to know what your impressions of it are. What is it that you hope to gain from the study and practice of "Buddhism"? Is there some facet of it that you perceive will be useful to you?
Originally the Buddha taught his system of development in order to alleviate greed, hatred, and ignorance. And the ending of
dukkha (suffering or dissatisfaction): "Formerly, Anuradha, and also now, I make known just suffering and the cessation of suffering." (SN 22.86) And: "Bhikkhus, both formerly and now what I teach is suffering and the cessation of suffering.* " (MN 22.38) Bhikkhu Bodhi's footnote to this last quotation helps to shed some light on the intended meaning of these two statements which are saying essentially the same thing.
*Footnote: "The import of this statement is deeper than appears on the surface. In the context of the false accusations of ยง37, the Buddha is stating that he teaches that a living being is not a self but a mere conglomeration of factors, material and mental events, linked together in a process that is inherently
dukkha, and that Nibbana, the cessation of suffering, is not the annihilation of a being but the termination of that same unsatisfactory process. This statement should be read in conjunction with SN 12.15/ii.17, where the Buddha says that one with right view, who has discarded all doctrines of a self, sees that whatever arises is only
dukkha arising, and whatever ceases is only
dukkha ceasing."
With the establishment of Right View (
samma ditti) the development and establishment of Right Thought (
samma sankappa) is meant to follow. And so for the rest of the Noble Eightfold Path of factors that are so vital to the study and development of the practice: Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration/Contemplation. These eight areas of experience, along with the discipline and practice which help to bring them about, make up the essence of what Gotama taught.
So that within this context, the development of the mind and its ability to discern the truth about phenomena (
dhammas) and how that phenomena affects one's view of reality and therefore one's experience (or lack) of suffering becomes of paramount importance.
So, with this in mind, whatever time can be applied to the practice of developing the capabilities and the disciplining of the mind is what one should be forthrightly devoting one's time to accomplishing.
It sounds as though you have a good start at developing a practice that will serve you well. You might want to add a long meditation session (45 min. to 1 hour) at the end of your day to help spur this process along, if it is at all possible. Otherwise, it sounds as though you have a good plan that fits your current lifestyle.
In peace,
Ian