During my meditation this morning, my mind wandered, my breath was unnatural, and all I could/or wanted to think about was weather my 15 month old son would wake up during and what my next move in my hockey pool would be... (sorry, canadian here...)

My motivation for zazen has typically been to reduce my suffering, to help me be more present for my family/friends...and foes...and to truelly wake up and enjoy this life.

I have been here before, I would plateu in my meditation, and steadily fall off the horse, I then would quickly fall back into monkey mind...before realizing I needed meditation and return. This time I am determined to push through it and keep going.

How do you return to this internal motivation/or increase it, when at times, it is just so much easier to give in to the suffering of the mind, particuarily when "everyone is doing it.."

I have really grown to respect you all, many of your posts have really assisted me in my practice. If you have a perspective, please share.

Shawn