14. Practice, practice, practice: If you want to learn to play an instrument, you need to practice. If you want to get in shape, you need to exercise. If you want peace of mind, you need to practice meditation.
15. Be Patient, Be Persistent, Be Present: To receive the benefits of meditation, you need to practice with patience….be kind to your self… don’t rush the practice. With regular practice, positive results are sure to come. So you also need to be persistent. If you fall off the bike, you get back on; if you don’t first succeed, try and try again and again. Be Present: don’t let past memories or concerns for the future monopolize your awareness. It may help to be aware of each breath, of the breath in each moment. Be…in the present moment. Be Here Now.
16. Awareness, alertness, attentiveness: Be aware of the sensations arising from the physical body; watch the thoughts and feelings as you watch a parade go by, or a flock of birds fly by, or leaves floating by on a stream: be alert and attentive, don’t let the mind drift. Be the witness. If the mind drifts, be aware that the mind is drifting, and bring it back to your practice.
