Meditation

My meditation practice has benefited greatly from retirement; I'm meditating 2x each day around 6am and 6pm for 25 minutes each. Was meditating for 30 minutes 2x/day but read in a couple of books that 25 minutes is better so I reduced 5 minutes; made an amazing difference for me. It could be just that my practice is maturing but I now really look forward to meditation; I may go back to 30 as I'm preparing for my first Sesshin. Following each sitting meditation, I do walking meditation around my little meditation room; actually my "meditation room" is the 8'x10' rug in my bedroom:) but it works as my special space. On Saturdays, I do group meditation at a local Buddhism temple; consisting of chanting, sitting, and walking meditation.

Maryland has allowed me to really focus on my meditation practice and meditating with a group has been very supportive; still working on it, but I've also improved at that third leg of the meditation stool - not judging myself.  I'm a bit nervous about maintaining my practice after I leave Maryland and especially throughout all the travel over the next several months. Changing places, times, etc. make meditating "on the road" difficult for me. I'll take my cushion with me to Colorado so that will provide some consistency but I'm not planning to take it to Japan. Given the history of Zen Buddhism, I'm hoping to find meditation centers near my accommodations in Japan.