Practice falls into two categories: one is a meditation retreat, not necessarily for a month or a week, but just keeping a simple retreat for two or three hours a day is very good. Strictly speaking, there is no way to practice any Dharma without doing retreat, or in a distracted, indolent and unfocused state. So, one or two hours retreat is a minimum when you practice. Practice cannot be accomplished with money. Liberating lives and doing good deeds can accumulate merit, but cultivating your mind has nothing to do with money. Practicing austerities, doing prostrations, and so on are parts of practice, but not the most important practice. The genuine practice is to practice with your heart.

~ Luminous Wisdom Book Series 9