iMEDITATION

General Guidelines

*1. Harmlessness toward people, animals, and nature.

*2. Refrain from taking things not freely given

*3. Faithfulness & Responsibility-  Being aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and  a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others.  I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.

*4.Right speech- Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire confidence, joy and hope.  I am committed to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to relieve others of their suffering. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

*5. Refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness in words, thoughts, and action-  Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace and well-being. I am determined to not use alcohol , drugs, any other intoxicant or to ingest harmful materials, such as a certain TV programs, magazines, books, films , and conversations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by responsible consumption.

Also Obsverved During Meditation Retreats:

*Abstain from all sexual activity .

6. Refrain from taking untimely meals - When we are just sitting and meditating all day, we are not burning that much calories so there is no need to consume so much calories. All the food will just be sitting there undigested, creating sloth, torpor, and lethargy.  It is best to just eat a light breakfast in the morning and have lunch . In the evening, it is enough to just have some drink ( ie. herbal infusion, hot cocoa, tea, etc) .

7. No TV, entertainments, attending performances. 

8. No use of garlands, perfumes and make-up/ personal adornment .

Monastics also observe :

*Chastity ( let go of sensuality, sexuality, lust): Through personal resolve or will power alone, it is possible to be celibate for some years.  But to permanently remove lust it is necessary to have jhana. Without jhana, the underlying tendency to lust will arise when the condition  is right. The desire to disrobe and get marry may come up .

9.  Abstain from high or luxurious sleeping places  to avoid the temptation to overindulge in sleeping when there is no business to tend to.   When overindulge in sleeping , sloth and torpor could set in instead of building up mental energy. Your practice can become too lax to yield any result.

10. Not accepting gold , silver, money. 

Lessening Desires - Not having money mean that even if a person on the path want to give in to his/her unnecessary desires, it is difficult for them to do so.

Allowing the Mind to Settle - Not participating in the rat race mean they are able to enter retreat and allow the mind to settle. Therefore , creating the internal conducive condition for "Right Stillness/ Concentration" to develop.