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Mindfulness in a repetitive job not really working

thumbs07thumbs07 New
in Buddhism Basics

I wonder if the idealism of buddhism can deal with 800 repeated tasks, daily, 5 times a week, and with some physical pains.

Comments

  • TiddlywindsTiddlywinds UK Veteran

    @thumbs07 said:
    I wonder if the idealism of buddhism can deal with 800 repeated tasks, daily, 5 times a week, and with some physical pains.

    If I've understood what you're pondering, are you in a rubbish job and hoping that being mindful will somehow blot out the horribleness of it?

  • karastikarasti Breathing Minnesota Moderator

    anything can be done in mindfulness, even blinking or wiping your behind! With mindfulness, sometimes you will find that your pain isn't what you thought it was. And sometimes you find your pain is needing attention and you ignored it for too long by working mindlessly.

    Just because it can be done, however, doesn't mean it's easy to do.

  • Steve_BSteve_B Veteran

    If you could take someone from 2500 years ago and teleport them to today, I think they'd be amazed at how civilization has evolved, and what kinds of jobs people do. "Repetitive job" is relative, and Buddhists have been dealing with them for thousands of years, haven't they?

  • lobsterlobster Crusty Veteran

    @thumbs07 said:
    I wonder if the idealism of buddhism can deal with 800 repeated tasks, daily, 5 times a week, and with some physical pains.

    Not without practice. Idealism not much use on its own. Can you be more specific? What are you trying to do? Are you in danger of injury? Pain is usually a physical warning.

  • Gus123Gus123 USA New

    two thoughts come to mind: the first is the Zen saying: Before Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment: chop wood, carry water.

    the second is also from the school of Zen (they are so succinct): rub on, rub off, repeat.

    what i learned about repetition is that learning never ceases, only the desire to learn can be changed. i did not know this for many years, until sufficient repetitions of the same worthless task became Insight.

    may you have Insight and the causes of Insight!

    upekkalobster
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator

    @Gus123 said:
    two thoughts come to mind: the first is the Zen saying: Before Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment: chop wood, carry water.

    the second is also from the school of Zen (they are so succinct): rub on, rub off, repeat.

    (That's actually from the original 'Karate Kid' movie, where Mr Miyagi gets Daniel to polish the cars...

    Mr. Miyagi: First, wash all car. Then wax. Wax on...
    Daniel: Hey, why do I have to...?
    Mr. Miyagi: Ah ah! Remember deal! No questions!
    Daniel: Yeah, but...
    Mr. Miyagi: Hai! [makes circular gestures with each hand] Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out of mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important. [walks away, still making circular motions with hands] Wax on... wax off. Wax on... wax off.
    Daniel: Hey where do these old cars come from?
    Mr. Miyagi: Detroit.

  • Gus123Gus123 USA New

    i stand corrected, but unabashed

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator

    Glad to hear it. I wanted to correct you, but never abash you....

    lobster
  • upekkaupekka Veteran

    @Gus123 said:
    two thoughts come to mind: the first is the Zen saying: Before Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment: chop wood, carry water.

    the second is also from the school of Zen (they are so succinct): rub on, rub off, repeat.

    what i learned about repetition is that learning never ceases, only the desire to learn can be changed. i did not know this for many years, until sufficient repetitions of the same worthless task became Insight.

    may you have Insight and the causes of Insight!

    all in all, it says practice First of Four Mindful practice

    'athapi, sathima, sampajano kaye kayanupassai viharathi vineyya loke abijja domanassam'

    if one is with in and out breath there is no greed or hate (before Enlightenment/gaining Insight/ wisdom/ panna)

    in some point one would get Enlightenment/Insight/Wisdom

    then there is no greed and hate

    but

    what there is to do again also is' engage in and out breathing' with mindfulness

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