Two posts in two days! Who'd a thought it?

I have recently started on a new buddhist course. It's from the Shambhala tradition, which has Tibetan and Hindu traditions. Specifically I am following the methods from a book by B. Alan Wallace called The Attention Revolution. It is a ten stage mindfulness and meditation program.

Stage one is called Directed Attention. You meditate by focusing on the breath. When you are able to do this, if only for a few seconds, then you have achieved directed attention. The book recommends twenty four minute meditations, I am not sure why this duration, but it is a nice number. I managed the twenty four minutes today and I am feeling very pleased with myself! In my opinion (and zen masters) modern living has seriously messed up our ability to concentrate and be still. I am hoping to achieve better mental focus, keep depression at bay and generally become a better person using this method.

I am also going to use the method in my photography. Becoming more contemplative in what I see, and how I see.