Buddhist practice in the heart (Ajahn Chah)

Ajahn Chah (ajahchah.org) via Ven. Sujato, Ellie Askew, Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Meditating means "cultivating."

To practice Buddhism, it doesn't have to be sitting for it to be "meditation."

Meditation (bhavana) means "producing, bringing into being, making, creating, manifesting, causing to exist."

We bring virtue (sila), concentration (samadhi = mental unification), and wisdom (panya, insight, understanding) into being. That's "meditation" (beneficial cultivation).

Practice like a Zen circle: Enso.

Let's not think that we have to walk back and forth in order for it to be "walking meditation." Let's not think like that.

Meditation is simply a matter of practice. Whether we're giving a sutra talk (bhana), sitting here listening to the Dharma (the Buddha's Teaching), or going away from here to travel like a wandering ascetic.

Let's keep up the practice in our heart.  How? Be alert to what's proper and what's not.

Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta Thera

The Thai Forest Tradition Meditation Master Ajahn Mun once said that we have to make our practice the shape of a circle.

A circle never comes to an end. We keep it going continuously. Keep the practice going continually without ceasing. I listened to him then thought:

"When I've finished listening to this talk, what should I do?" The answer that came was, "Make alertness timeless (akaliko). Make sure the mind knows-and-sees what's proper and what's not at all times."