(EDIT: URL's to sites of Tucker, Upali and Cedric added.)
I am very grateful for all I had the privilege to learn so far here on DhO and finally decided to start a regular practice log. I'd like to offer the following by way of introduction.
First exposed to the mindfulness boom in 2012-2013, I started to slowly build up a regular practice in 2016-2017, inspired by many but at that time perhaps most significantly by TMI, MCTB1 and Robert Wright's Why Buddhism is True. (I owe special thanks for the makers of the audiobook version of all three works!) Approximating a daily practice, albeit often omitting a day or two, and occasionally more, since 2018.
I am currently playing and working with (in that order) with various forms of Noting (inspired, among others, by Mahasi, Shinzen, Shargrol & Papa Che Dusko), TMI, Fire Kasina (Ingram), Satipatthana (Analayo), Metta (Vimalaramsi), along with various approaches based on materials from Rob Burbea, Ken McLeod and Dan P. Brown (IPF). I have great respect for pragmatic dharma in general and, specifically, Daniel Ingram's work and the DhO Community. (I have some background in Western philosophy, Green political activism, and working with languages.)
I have approx. two weeks' worth of retreat experience, including time with
Tucker Peck and
Upasaka Upali, both of whom I am very happy to recommend as teachers.
I am taking a year-long course in Gendlin's Focusing technique. Furthermore, I am doing weekly online sessions with a much appreciated noting partner I have encountered here on DhO, Cedric Reeves. (Cedric also happens to
teach meditation, and based on our interactions, I can heartily recommend him as well.)
I have no attainments to speak of.
My practice goals for 2021 include a 2h daily formal practice with 1h of noting, increasing awareness off-cushion (U Tejaniya), establishing a routine of Micro-hits (Shinzen & also as recommended by DhO's Jim Smith), significantly increasing concentration and insight and integrating all of that with life in general (aka getting my shit together) and specifically, training in Morality, including Metta, IPF and Gendlin's Focusing, and once again, getting my shit together for the benefit of this being, the people in its close proximity, the planet, and all sentient beings. Also, probably, taking up work with a teacher as well as doing retreats (self-retreats in all likelihood with a view to the COVID situation).
I also wish to improve the balance between discipline and a playful, experimental approach, as well as incorporate standing meditation, doing more Tai Chi & Yoga and some Reich-inspired body work (Jack Willis).
As far as the present practice log is concerned, I think I might start out with a pen-on-paper mediation journal, and share some (but not necessary all) of the content here, reporting at least once a week and see how this works out.
As far as the present practice log is concerned, I think I might start out with a pen-on-paper mediation journal, and share some (but not necessary all) of the content here, reporting at least once a week and see how this works out.
I am of course looking forward to feedback from you all and all your contributions are deeply appreciated.
Thank you for this

PS. "Elbólintós" is a pun on my first name (which I did not want to appropriate since there might be other Bálints around wanting to start their own practice logs) and it could roughly be taken to mean "(with a tendency to be) nodding off" in Hungarian or something of the sort and thus it is also, of course, a pun on sleeping and delusion as opposed to...