Meditation timer - another idea

[Ryumon]

There are often discussions of meditation timers here and on other forums. The main reason for a timer is to make sure you've sat enough; not to stop you from sitting more (at least that's how I see it). There are clocks, electric timers, very expensive meditation-specific timers advertised in dharma magazines, and apps for smartphones.

But seeing this today made me think of a much better timer:

http://www.theschooloflife.com/shop/15minutes/

Why not use an hourglass? The one above is only 15 minutes; I'd ideally like a 30-minute hourglass, like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elegant-Glass-Sand-Timer-Minutes/dp/B009P7WKQQ

In fact, it looks exactly the same, except for the color of the sand, and the number 15.

Does anyone use an hourglass? Actually, how many people use timers? I don't, generally, though sometimes if I feel I haven't sat enough, I'll look at the time on my phone to see if I should try and sit more.

[Tiwala]

I use a timer that let's me know if time is up with a sound. It deters me from constantly moving my head and eyes to check if I've sat enough (say clocks or hourglasses) I also use the same timer when I study. I dunno, just a personal taste. I don't like sitting too long to neglect my duties, but maybe I should try out sitting with no timer one of these days when I'm not busy.

Gassho, Ben

[MyoHo]

Me too Ben, just need a small single sound to indicate the 40 minute mark has come and gone. Usually, I just use an incense stick but there is that impulse to look how far it has burned ( on one of those harder days ) Also want to see if I can make one of these one day:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/starmist1/3623535909/

Kinda cool too.

Gassho

E.

[Mp]

I use a timer that let's me know if time is up with a sound. It deters me from constantly moving my head and eyes to check if I've sat enough...

I am the same ... I use a digital timer when I sit or I am sitting with a group. A sound ending the sit allows me to just sit and not worry about time. =)

Gassho
Shingen

[Ryumon]

I keep thinking that if I use a timer, then I'd keep glancing at it. :-)

[MyoHo]

Sometimes you do look at it more often hen other times. After a while you get used to it and it helps with your practice, if you keep the discipline and don't get up before the timer goes off, that is. Nowadays I just know when 30 minutes have past and have a timer or a stick of incense just to confirm. Often I mindlessly put my hand on the timer a few seconds before it goes off and press the button when it does. Is that like that Pavlov dog training, lol? So I guess a cheap kitchen timer works just fine. Don't worry too much about it I'd say!

Gassho

E.

[Myoku]

I keep thinking that if I use a timer, then I'd keep glancing at it. :-)

This is a valid point. I find it easiest to have a time that I cant see, e.g. when sitting on g+ a background app on my mac or on my phone, even the older ones have a timer usually. I think an hourglass is _nice_ but I would stare at it too often
Gassho
Myoku

[Risho]

I like the Insight Timer for ipod/iphone. I'm able to lock the device, so that I can't see the timer ticking down, and it dings after the session is complete to let me know I'm done.

I feel that temptation of looking sometimes too, so I make sure to lock it and I put it behind me so it's out of sight.

But there are other environmental sounds that sometimes give me a sense of time. Like if the AC goes on, I can figure that so much time has gone by. hahahaah

My mind is a tricky SOB

Gassho,

Risho

[Daijo]

Most times I don't keep time. Even as the timekeeper of my sitting group, I just sort of ring the bell "as the spirit moves me". Funny thing is, it always seems to be at about the 25-30 minute mark.

Gassho,

Chuck

[Daijo]

My apologies. It's not really "my" sitting group.

[Fugu]

The "Zen Alarm Clock" is $189. I use a $2 kitchen timer from K-Mart. Works great. If I'm going to spend $189, I'd rather buy incense, books or donate to the local homeless shelter.

Gassho,

Fugu

[Ryumon]

I don't know the zen alarm clock, but I have seen as for the Enso which is around 100 dollars. Considering you can buy a smartphone app for a buck, or, as you say, a cheap alarm clock for about the same price, it's a bit ludicrous.


(Posted from my iPhone; please excuse any typos or brevity.)

[Nindo]

Also want to see if I can make one of these one day:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/starmist1/3623535909/

Genius! I love it!

I admit that I shelled out over $100 for a beautiful timer that has a real bell inside. Since the manufacturers were fellow practitioners at the time, I knew I was supporting a small family business and it still makes me feel connected to that sangha. It's no longer on the market, unfortunately.

Sometimes I just set the timer on the microwave. I prefer a sound, too, instead of having to look.

[Myoshin]

For those who doesn't work with I-pad but android I found a soto timer, with time for preparation, zazen, kin-hin, zazen, end. Simple image of the circle painted.

Gassho

Myoshin

[TimF]

When in my room I use the following for a timer on my desktop computer:

http://www.onlinemeditationtimer.com/

Gassho,
Tim