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I have begun starting my day with a cup of tea and a poem.

I tried cups of tea and koans and I wasn't able to turn off my mind enough to learn from the koans, but I find poetry to be perfect as a jumping off point for my meditations.

Hello Pez ... don't get Koans and Mantras mixed up. I think you're talking about a "Mantra" if you're trying to "still the self-talk" ... a Koan is riddle upon which one meditates ....

Hello Jon... I'm not confusing Koans and Mantras. :)

I've found that sometimes when I try to meditate on a koan in the morning all that happens is I end up thinking of the list of things I should accomplish, but meditating on the meaning of a poem is easier.

If I read my koan later in the day it is easier to meditate on it.

I'm not sure why, but that is the way my mind is working right now.

Hello Pez. I misunderstood. If it's working for you then stay with it. In another string here, I believe David made the comment that it is often difficult to pursue meditation properly without a competent teacher ... judicious selection of such a person is important for anyone.