Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

enunciation. Step by step, renunciation should be
practiced as follows:
a. Renounce half an hour out of one's family life or
worldly existence and devote it to the puja and
meditation of the Buddha. Just close the door of the
puja-room (if one has a separate place for this), or do it
in one's own room. So much is surely easy to do. Do not
make puja and meditate with other members of the
family present who might create a disturbance or arouse
the wrong sort of thoughts. One should practice alone,
having for that time renounced everything to
concentrate upon the puja and upon one's meditation
(see also Ch. X, Part Two, B). The time that a meditator
is able to give for this purpose depends on his devotion,
renunciation, and the strength of meditation.
b. A serious meditator will take advantage of holidays
and renounce Sundays and other such days free from
work. Notice the real meaning of "holy day." A day
cannot be holy without meditation, whereas the
common man's idea of using his spare time for picnics,
football, and taking pictures, makes a holiday unholy.
People think that enjoying themselves and gratifying
desires means that they are resting or relaxing. But the
real rest or relaxation is in meditation practice, not
elsewhere. So many things are wasted in most people's
holidays: time, energy, money, and life itself; but the
meditative man saves, and stores up incorruptible
treasures. Regular practice on days free from work
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