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Having been the poster child for this not so long ago, my advice to others dealing with distraction is to read about Buddhism. The Eightfold Path is basically a
by kordless 11y ago
Having been the poster child for this not so long ago, my advice to others dealing with distraction is to read about Buddhism. The Eightfold Path is basically an algorithmic approach to resolving cognitive dissonance. Dissonance can be viewed as a form of brain spam. It makes you inefficient and illogical. It's also contagious for those who aren't inoculated against it.
By finding the path and practicing it, the approach may give you access to enlightenment. That state then brings about a change in the brain which results in a quieter brain. I liken it to permanent and constantly available flow.
These are just my opinions based on experience. Everyone should find their own way to the truth.
- natdempk 11y agoDo you have a recommended starting source for this practice? A book or reading that outlines the ideology and practices?
- timClicks 11y agoThe in vogue term for secular Bhuddism is mindfulness.
- kordless 11y agoKeeping things sacred slows you down. Slowing down is good because it forces efficiencies as you grind toward aesthetics. As Gregory Bateson said to a colleague, "Keep your systems simple". That is mindfulness. I'm not a fan of the term Secular Buddhism for the simple reason Gautama Buddha warned on, which is taking the concept and twisting it into something that is used to advance or elevate one person's belief over another's. We're all in this together, ergo we are Buddha Nature. No sense in complicating things. Complications are inefficiencies. Keep your systems simple.
- qntty 11y agoFor straight Buddhism in modern terms, What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula and Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Henepola Gunaratana are good.
- kordless 11y agoYes. Google Alan Watts.
- sn9 11y agoIf you'd prefer a secular angle with some scientific background, Sam Harris's Waking Up is excellent. Reading about Greek Stoicism (Seneca's Letters are a great starting point) and Buddhism and comparing their similarities is a great way to get the best out of both. A book that's been sitting on my shelf waiting for me to read it that might also be of interest is Edward Slingerland's Trying Not to Try, which focuses on the Chinese concept of wu wei which has much in common with flow.
- ZeroFries 11y agoI think it's also important to be aware of when you're being reactive towards the web, in other words getting lost in surfing. Look at what sensations come forth when you see a link you want to click, and how automatically your body performs the action of clicking it. Edit: I've noticed personally this behaviour gets worse the more caffeine I've had.