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Developing the meditation skill of “Right Effort”

When you’re meditating, does it ever feel like you‘re struggling or working hard? Do you have a sense that you should be having a different experience? Even in times like these you can learn to rest and relax. Today we’re exploring the Buddhist meditation skill of “right effort”—being fully in the present while naturally moving toward more peace, clarity, and awareness.

Today we’re sharing an excerpt from the audiobook The Art and Skill of Buddhist Meditation: Mindfulness, Concentration, and Insight, written by Richard Shankman. This audiobook is a practical guide to building a strong meditation practice using mindfulness, concentration, and insight. New meditators will find step-by-step instructions and hands-on skills they can easily put into practice. Experienced meditators will find a complete guide for deepening insight and cultivating deeper stages of concentration.

Meditation teacher Tara Brach says this about The Art and Skill of Buddhist Meditation: “It’s a wonderfully clear, simple yet thorough book on how to practice Buddhist meditation!”

What’s in this episode?

In this episode we explore the idea that meditation practice is about learning. With this point of view, you don’t need to worry or strain because whatever happens, it is teaching you. Developing the meditation skill of “right effort,” will help you let go of struggle and open to the present moment. You’ll begin to meet yourself with kindness, compassion, and a sense of exploration and experimentation.