Boredom

[JuanJosé]

(A bit off topic...sorry, but worth reading)

Boredom

Many people today experience boredom in their daily lives. This is a sign that one is either living too superficially, or is not sufficiently engaged in their life. Sometimes life gets very demanding in terms of the amount of work one has to do – demanding in terms of changes that have to be made or demanding greater involvement in life. Sometimes it all feels too much. Withdrawal, accompanied by boredom, is often the escape that is used. It is a state of disengagement from the demands or needs of the present.

Boredom is often an indication that one needs to slow down. At the same time, and somewhat paradoxically, it usually indicates that there is something that needs to be done. But either we don’t know what it is because we are too busy to listen, or we sense what it is and we are afraid to make the change that is required.

When boredom sets in there is indifference to the depths of one’s life. In a life that is either too busy or too superficial there is often a distancing from the soul within. This is usually a defence mechanism used by the personality to try to maintain balance. Depth is avoided, and one’s sense of true self is lost. With the superficiality of life there is lack of attention to the subtleties, to the inner source of power, connection and happiness.

To overcome boredom one has to stop and simplify one’s life, while at the same time start to pay more attention to what is, to enter the depths of feeling and sensing. From these depths the future will be revealed, and the energy to move into the future will surface.

Exercises:

1. When do you feel bored?

2. What do you sense you might be avoiding that would challenge you to change?

3. What deeply felt heart urge is being ignored?

4. Do you feel overwhelmed by a lot of things that demand time and energy, but are not satisfying or fulfilling?

5. Which of these demands do you place on yourself, and which seem to come from outside yourself?

6. What can you do to eliminate some of these demands?

7. What are some ways you can simplify your life?

8. What is really important to you, and how can you make time and energy to follow what is important to you?


(from The Soul Journey)

[pjay]

very good food for thought ! life does seem at times like a bit of a blur, & i do have that tendency to escape those demands by distancing myself from them, but sadly from myself as well.

i remember once reading a book about the healthy aspects of stress. that certain amounts are actually beneficial. one example it gave was about men up in alaska who worked on the pipeline. it stated that there was a large amount of fistfights simply because of the amount of time they had on their hands(boredom).

but true, it is a paradox. i think one of the most meaningful lyrics of any song that i know, are from the song 'take it to the limit' by the band Eagles. it says......"you can spend all your time making money......you can spend all your love making time".

thanks for sharing this article !

[JuanJosé]

I like that song, Paul, thank you too.