Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.
My news fast
Given the level of my past anxiety, I have taken a news fast. I will not return to paying any more than "accidental" attention to the news until I feel compelled to do so. I just find it distraction that takes away from any kind of focus of betterment that I can muster. I will vote in local elections, etc... but I will do so by voting by party as opposed to the normal hypervigilant research that I do.
What is the Buddhist belief on this sort of thing?
What is the Buddhist belief on this sort of thing?
0
Comments
It's not a bad idea dude. I find that news bulletins can be hyped up and just cause for more anger and adrenalin.
There's not much we can do about the "Mall mass-murderer who was released "accidently" on bail by the brother of a corrupt official who happened to owe the murderer's sister some money, who was also involved in selling fake medication to old folks which he funded through stealing public funds because the folks who should have noticed what was happening were either lining their pockets or asleep"
But it makes a great story and can sure get you shouting at the television in rage.
It just makes me angry, sad and depressed. None of which leads to enlightenment.
I only view the news channel for the main headlines once daily, if even that sometimes. There's always going to be a lot of excessive 'news' coverage in the media in general. Its how some people make a living. However its up to us to filter out the unnecessary in our lives and do the best we can, both on a local community level and in terms of personal practice.
If we can improve our own understanding and outlook , that's also going to be of benefit to others.
Kind wishes,
Dazzle _/\_
I watch the News Hour with Jim Lehrer on PBS. You don't have to hear/watch people yelling at each other (unless Barney Frank is on)!
I'm with you on this. I can't stand it when people are shouting past each other. They're not listening and in many cases are painting the person they are presumably addressing as contemptible, stupid, or villainous. You know, Fox News, MSNBC, and the radio shows.
The monks I have known do not follow the news, believing if anything is important or of earth-shaking significance they'll find out in plenty of time. In the old days in monasteries one monk was assigned the duty of reading the newspaper and reporting anything of significance to the monks. He was allotted probably no more than 10 to 15 minutes per day to scour the paper and then it was on to other chores. If the news contained nothing that affected the monastery or the nation's well-being or pride it was not considered worthy of being passed on to the other monks in the refectory.
Now I check in for the essential - and I've realised that the news is not about life - it's more like a theatrical representation of it.
I wish I had your strength. My most recent news fast only lasted for about two years, but it was a wonderful experience. I’ve tried several times to start over, but I always find myself creeping back onto MSNBC or CNN or some other crap that makes me depressed.
~nomad
That's because I'm interested (1) but also (2) because I hate the idea of being this aloof buddhist-type who's contemplation goes only as far as their own naval!
I'm often conflicted about reading and/or seeing the harsh things in this world, especially animal abuse. I can usually handle a lot of bad news in the media so I do try to keep up with things.
But when it comes to animal abuse I seem to go a little crazy inside. I don't quite have the right balance to be able to deal with it emotionally. For years I would avert my eyes to the horrors. I couldn't watch the hidden camera video footage sent to me by PETA. I just couldn't take it. Well, to be honest, I still can't. But I'm feeling more and more that turning my back and refusing to be a witness to their suffering because I can't handle my own discomfort of seeing it not only makes me a coward but a collaborator.
So I'm working on it. I'm only at the beginning but that's better than nothing. I just have to keep reminding myself that my perception of their suffering is extremely distorted and go from there. I'll get there some day.
To feel for all living things is a blessing. Sometimes those horrific images we see can really disturb us. But you have a good heart. That is a real gift.
grackle
Thank you for your kinds words. Now I'm off to take care of the parrot who seems to believe his very prescence is the best gift any humanoid could have.
grackle
Palzang
That's the worst mental illness going... the disease of wanting more.
Brian and I don't have TV, so we're spared the talking heads. I do, however, selectively read Google News (being selective about the sources I'll pursue) and read TIME magazine weekly. TIME is a great "catchup" and thoughtful, so I feel less inclined to waste time perusing a multitude of sources when I have my 2 hours with TIME every week.
It would be nice to be able to see through the b.s. in any given perspective, but sometimes it's better to give ourselves a break from a source of pain to gain some perspective of our own.
If the Republicans had their way, I'm afraid they'd probably pull the plug and no longer help with funding. That would be tragic. Commercial television and radio are just too noisy for someone who really wants to live a calm and quiet life. (HEY, turn down the volume on that sales-pitch, bud! It is not an emergency situation whether I buy a car from you or not...).
Another nice resource is C-SPAN. Where I live we also have some fairly good reporting done on a local news alternative-style commercial TV channel, largely funded by the owners' hometown-oriented philanthropic resources.
A lot of people are just interested in keeping up with the news and do so out of compassion and seeking to understand others. There's no harm in that, unless one gets too immersed.
I, for one, want to follow this situation in Iran as closely as I can. Also, I think the eyes of the whole world should be on the supreme leader and on what he says and does. We live in history and should have some idea of what's going on.
Hey There, Captain! Good to hear from you again, Bushinoki!
Hope you get your breaks from the summer heat. Our summer here has been very mild and endearing.
Please say more on the "forgotten war," as you call it. We're all so proud of all our military and wish them every success.
Fondly,
Nirvy
If everyone spent the half hour it takes to read the rubbish in the newspaper, on a daily basis, exchanging kindness, compassion and joy with others - or even communicating their sadness and helping themselves to heal through others - then the world would be an even finer place to live.
I confess I did not read this thread, just your starting post. I can say that this is an excellent idea. I did it once (which in my case almost solely pertained to newspapers, printed and online, since I do not watch TV or listen to Radio), for some months, and I can tell you: I felt happier and more focussed than ever.
Media are a kind of poison, if you are sensitive to that stuff, which I assume you are.
And it will leave you more time for posting in this forum, which is a good thing...
Cheers, Norbu
Well said. I tend to believe that there is a lot of kindness going on in the world, and I see it every day in my own neighborhood. Personally, I think that there should be more of a balance in what is broadcast as “news”. Not everything bad that happens is newsworthy and not everything good that happens isn’t. I would love to see more coverage of the good things that people do. Shows on TLC and A&E that remodel houses get great ratings. I’m sure that CNN or MSNBC could find some way to make a Habitat for Humanity or soup kitchen story exciting for the general population.
And, thank you, ragyaba, for informing us about Michael Jackson. I was beginning to think that NewBuddhist would be the last place on Earth to not mention his passing.
~nomad
Sara, I love that thought. Would go a long way to making "Living the news" not so bad. Perhaps someday.