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Buddhism and Apathy
Namaste
I am seeking Buddhist wisdom on the topic of apathy.
I'd also appreciate hearing any personal experiences that relate to this topic.
Please use the simplest terms possible.
Thank you all.
I am seeking Buddhist wisdom on the topic of apathy.
I'd also appreciate hearing any personal experiences that relate to this topic.
Please use the simplest terms possible.
Thank you all.
0
Comments
apathy is another way to close off from experience.. Buddhism is about opening fully.
Do you mean in Buddhist practice in following the Dhamma?
Do you mean physically?
Professionally?
Cultivating sound and skilful relationships?
I think actually, you need to be a little more specific....
jeffery: thanks for the explanation.
Is anybody aware of techniques for dealing with these near enemies (apathy, pity)? Can anybody relate personal experience with them?
Mtns
I have a generally apathetic view of life...more "detachment" than "non-attachment" if that makes sense.
I was like this before I started my study of buddhism, and I haven't been able to apply the wisdom I have found in a way that has helped. I am aware that this is my own limitation and not a product of buddhism, and I was hoping that somebody here might be able to relate an understanding or personal experience in a way that resonates with me.
As for specifics, I have a blank slate professionally, physically, and in relationships. I have a feeling that there might be some value in filling that slate, but I haven't been able to muster the necessary action.
Regarding buddhist practice, the slate is not blank, but I clearly have a fundamental misunderstanding or flaw in my practice...I'd like to erase that misunderstanding and move forward.
I hope I am making sense. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your response.
I have certainly found mindfulness an effective tool in dealing with life in any given moment. I have not figured out how to apply mindfulness to moments other than the current one (eg: planning for the future).
I might be splitting hairs, but this is my struggle.
The cure for apathy is charity. Put your energy toward the good of others and your outlook with change.
With warmth,
Matt
Matt, your answers are consistent and I thank you for it.
peace.
Depression and apathy as I said are habitual thinking and the key is to not believe that the thinking is the truth. Experiment for yourself what makes you feel better. Some people like to be alone more when they are depressed. Think a bit and have some time to the self.
Thinking that you have to fill the slate comes from the ego mandala. You want to work on the mandala of awareness which means that you can accept a limited slate. In fact it is recommended to keep life simple and not take on more than you can handle. At the same time what remains is the sadness that you don't feel joyful about doing things.
So my advice is to contact genuinely the wish to be happy. The wish to genuinely enjoy things. Take this light heartedly don't beat yourself with it. Be gentle and keep life simple.
As you get to feel better and you will as you put awareness in the center rather than ego. You will probably develope more interest in things as time goes on but who knows. We are in samsara and some of us have a rough time. All the more reason to get tired of samsara and work to be free!
Note: I am just a novice but I have observed how I myself can torture myself by saying to myself that I should do or be more. By easing up and being lighthearted and gentle naturally I feel better. By applying a lot of pressure it makes me miserable like I am divided on one hand not wanting to do things and on the other feeling I am a bad person for that.
I'm going to have to work out for myself what kinds of charitable things I can do, but while I think that over, I'd love to hear examples of charitable activities that other people have embraced in their practice.
Jeffrey: I am going to spend some time re-reading your post. Thanks for taking the time to create it.
aMatt, your "metta walk" suggestion is something I will try this evening on my regular walk.
I have no desire to make this more complicated than it actually is, but I should point out that I live in a very rural area, I am unemployed with no source of income and very limited transportation, and I have a diagnosis of mental illness. Traditional volunteer roles (like the excellent list list that SherabDorje provided) aren't really available to me.
As it turns out, my father is the chairman of the board of the local United Way, and my mother is employed at at the nearest nursing home. (I live with them) That may seem like it would simplify things, but it does not...neither of them is interested in integrating me in to those roles. They are uncertain about the impact my illness will have. I respect their wishes in this regard.
So I have to stick with the most basic efforts, like the "metta walk", which really does sound appealing. I do walk several miles each day, so enhancing the walk is a no-brainer.
But that still leaves a lot of time unfilled in a day
I can understand your parent's hesitation to have you interact at those jobs, because after 'your collapse' or what have you,they certainly might have developed some concerns for your mental stability. However, if your intent is secure and well rooted, there might be a compromise that could be found, where they are secure in knowing that you won't hurt yourself or others, but still have an opportunity to give. Even some of the most basic solitary washing and cleaning jobs could deeply help you reinvigorate your connection to the world, and how you are part of its collective progress.
The loving-kindness walk will surely help in the short term, but I would also suggest that you maintain an intention to give in a more direct way. Not to say that the walking isn't enough, but you have within you the ability to give more.
With warmth,
Matt
do you think we can apply mindfulness to future?
planning for the future means we are not mindful at the present
whenever a thought comes into mind, like 'she/he needs this and that etc.'
or ' I must do this and that next day' we are not mindful of the present moment because that 'he/she' or 'I' is in our mind and we make future plan for 'a person in the mind'
in this way we absorb in our own thought but we are not mindful
whenever a thought comes into mind try to identify it as a 'thought' then the said thought vanishes and we can say we were mindful at that moment
try this for a while and see what will happen
My advice is to when you are having such thoughts to notice that you are thinking. For example when you say 'not enough charity work' say to yourself "just thinking". Be very honest and very gentle.
Second when you have uncomfortable feelings (say you go to try to do charity work and you experience anxiety) I recommend to try to sit with the feeling. Imagine yourself letting go of your tensions and just welcoming the feeling.
Charity is something that will naturally radiate outwards when you can relax with whatever you are feeling. You can get a cat and give it charity cat treats and medical care.