Ask The Teachers
Sunday, September 1, 2002 at 8:58AM Question:
I've been a Buddhist for more than twenty years and I've done a lot of meditation practice. But I've never experienced any real peace or absence of thoughts in my meditation, at least for more than brief moments here and there. I've also had the benefit of many wonderful teachings and yet I still succumb to my emotions and old habits. More and more I find myself asking "What's the point?" What should I do about this?
Blanche Hartman: Your question comes up for many of us. When we first begin mediation practice, quite naturally we expect some result. We may begin with a motivation to “improve” ourselves, to get something we think is missing. Meditation practice certainly does affect us, but not necessarily as we plan or expect.
You don’t mention whether you have worked with a meditation teacher or with a group, whether your practice has been continuous or sporadic, or whether you have done long guided retreats. Each of these can be of significant help in dealing with the usual perils and pitfalls that come up for all of us.

