My practice

In theory I have a daily meditation practice, but this can get interrupted. I try to meditate from 12.30pm to 1pm each weekday and in the evening on a Saturday and at the Buddhist Centre on a Sunday (a very short one).

I manage quite well to meditate whilst leading the class at the University, which surprises me. But, I don't demand too much from it so there are no high expectations.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays I have no problems finding the time. We have a quiet room at home where I keep my mat, cushion and Buddha rupa, and I use this. After many years of incense the whole room has taken on a soft scent of patchouli oil and vanilla. At 12.30pm I trot off upstairs, light the incence and candles and settle down on the cushion.

Fridays I tend to be at the Buddhist Centre and whether leading the class or attending I can look forward to quite a deep meditation. I generally make it back on a Friday evening as well and after a Sevenfold Puja, I meditate again for another half an hour.

Saturdays can be a bit tricky, but mostly I find some time in the evening.

What I don't do, though, is 'beat myself up' if I cannot stick to this loose schedule. It is just an outline and if circumstances get in the way I can't see the purpose of suffering to be able to meditate!

I now alternate the Mindfullness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana meditations, for some time I had difficulty with the Metta Bhavana, not because it didn't suit me, but it felt like hard work. I had to gently coax myself to it from the more attractive Mindfullness.