Work vs. Play

ravkes

Is there fundamentally any difference?
I find this to be of importance to my situation because I can't bring myself to study lol

Humble

I am sorry I am not sure if I understand. I can interpret it in two ways.

1. Does it matter how I spend my time if the only thing that is truly important is enlightenment, stream entry, nibbana etc.?

2. I need an excuse to allow me to procrastinate.. is this a good one?

So maybe I am way off but these are the only two ways I can think of interpreting your question are either of them right?

Joshua

Work vs. play through the lens of both Buddhism and study makes little sense to me, I wish I could help.

I want to say you mean 'studying vs. direct experience'? But this obviously doesn't seem to be the case.

ravkes

Sorry I guess I meant to say how does a Buddhist approach work. Most of our lives are consumed by work and most people are unsatisfied with it. So how would a buddhist approach say studying for a class he doesnt like or doing a job he doesnt like.

do likes and dislikes exist?

sukhita

Suffering is: craving for the pleasant and aversion for the unpleasant. So, if we have aversion for our present work or study, we should try to let it go as best as we can. Meditation and contemplation will help. There's no quick fix. (I'm presuming alternative work/study is unavailable)

ravkes

Yeah, unfortunately my GPA is so low I can't switch majors.



Although my meditation practice has been beneficial in terms of enabling me to see my work as play. Seeing reality without the filter of thought is definitely liberating.

YesheDorje

ravkes wrote: »

Sorry I guess I meant to say how does a Buddhist approach work. Most of our lives are consumed by work and most people are unsatisfied with it. So how would a buddhist approach say studying for a class he doesnt like or doing a job he doesnt like.

do likes and dislikes exist?

Likes and dislikes exist, if only in the mind!

In my experience it is easier to learn to like doing something than it is to continue to do something that you do not like doing. If you can learn to enjoy doing the difficult or unpleasant things then imagine how happy you will be when you do finally get to do the things you like.

Not sure these are "Buddhist" answers.

ravkes

Good answers regardless.
What is a 'like'?
What is a 'dislike'?
Who likes and who dislikes?

Gotta get back to the basics it seems sometimes.

Thanks

YesheDorje

Things I like evoke a feeling I like; nice weather makes me energetic, good food makes me feel fortified, peaceful sleep and pleasant dreams make me refreshed and content.

Things I dislike bring rise to feelings I wish would go away; War makes me feel uncertain about the future, lack of funds or resources also makes me feel doubtful, Angry people make me angry,

Right now I am discussing because I like to exchange thoughts, what I should be doing is housecleaning and paying bills. Rewarding as they are, I do not like to clean my house or pay my bills, but I try to enjoy the experience by reminding myself of the benefits and engaging the task for all it is worth, and this makes it somewhere in the middle between something that I like and something that I do not like. Basically.

Jeffrey

We receive messages about our world. The more clarity we have we will see what they are and what we should do. The kind of messages are when you 'need' to work. For example even though you have a low gpa if you get a degree that is a major accomplishment. Their are plenty of jobs where that credential is fine and high grades aren't needed. You may even have test anxiety in which you become confused during the pressure of your tests. Which would mean you know more about your field than the tests show.

The trick to getting clarity is mindfulness. My teacher calls it opening. We don't resist the icky feeling of doing the studying. And we see our mind for what it is.

This is exactly what I am working on. I love playing my video game and drinking and it gets in the way of my dharma practice but I really love it. Sometimes the dharma practice seems like 'work'.

I am in your same boat and I am trying to get more clarity so I can see what is going on. If you can touch in a little bit on an awareness practice. Day to day. Or if possible sitting or walking meditation. You can get stability to open and patience. This will help you gain enough clarity.

Don't be surprised if some of the things that become clear are scary or ugly. You have to have the courage to keep opening. Even though you want to close.

ravkes

Thanks guys.
It seems that if we can stay with our difficult emotions they seem to dissolve.
Work can be approached with a lightheartedness when it is seen that it is what it is: just another part of the mysterious dance.
I think our habit of coloring our world has gotten a bit too out of control.
Coming back to what is actually real should be effective in this situation and any 'problematic' situation.

shadowleaver

ravkes wrote: »

Is there fundamentally any difference?
I find this to be of importance to my situation because I can't bring myself to study lol

I know the feeling. I tried to force myself to do things but that never worked too well. I am having a bit more luck with trying to "listen" to the distraction-- usually, it is some psychological need. That need may not even be big, unless it's ignored. If I take a break from what I'm "supposed" to be doing and play along with the need, the pull often diminishes.