The Time Factor

Over the Australian winter months, I have had enough free time to focus on my Buddhist studies and practice. As spring appears, I am finding more of my time occupied by work and red-tape rigmarole. This has a draining effect on me.

I long for the next period of vacant time, in which to focus on my studies once more. I miss the day-long concentration that results in progress and deep learning. With only a few moments to read a chapter or take a class, very little sinks in.

This reminds me how little time the majority of people have for practice. I have chosen to live a slow-paced simplistic life, yet even I find periods of rush and strain that steal me from my preferred studies. Previously, I was able to devote the majority of my day to Buddhism - spending most of each day in reading, memorizing, prayer, practice, meditation, and classes. Now, I am squashing other matters together to cram in enough time to read a single chapter and my mind is too unsettled to get deep enough to meditate properly.