BEDTIME = WORKTIME!

Over the past 5-7 weeks, I have spent much more of my time in bed that usual. This may sound extremely lazy of me, but I can assure you it is not. I have been spending the extra time in beditation. I find it far easier to meditate in bed than a traditional seated posture, as I do not have to continually reposition my spine, eyelids, or neck to stay in the correct position.

I can do the calm-abiding meditation in the regular half-lotus position, although my eyes become strained if they are not fully open or fully shut, but when it comes to analytical meditation, lying down is the only way I can (personally) progress. When I am in bed, my body rearranges itself as it needs automatically, and I am free to put all concentration into my efforts to analyze.

During the latter half of karma classes, I had to increase my meditation time. It was a serious subject that I found extremely interesting. These classes were followed by a course on the Diamond Cutter Sutra, which also necessitated extra meditation effort.

Karma and emptiness are both major league subjects that require a lot of out-of-class participation. To properly learn either, the classes, notes, questions, and memorizing is not enough. You need to use what you learn in relation to your own life - and to do this, I have to beditate. This meant spending at least 2 hours per 24 meditating, often more.

This may sound excessive for a layperson rather than a nun, but I have found it very helpful. Not only do I have enough time to fully explore each section of the topics in class, but I also feel much healthier with spending more time horizontal than vertical. (I expect this stems from the added physical rest combined with the extra blood flow to the brain.)

So, I have not grown lazy in my old age, but quite the opposite! In fact, the longer I spend in bed, the harder I work!