So you’re here because you have nothing to do, eh?
Master Linji, in his Buddhist teachings, states that nothing-to-do is a result of enlightenment. In our privileged society we often complain of having nothing-to-do, which in reality should be a privilege of those who have already become enlightened.
Today’s idea of “nothing-to-do” is accompanied by dissatisfaction, frustration and desperation. From this results the booming entertainment industry, overconsumption (of both products and food) and binge habits. Why is it so difficult to walk outside and think? Why can we no longer be alone? Linji compares the unlightened mental state to “meatball mind” in which humans have minds clogged with silly preoccupations and dependence on the material.
I’ve discovered that trying too hard to become “enlightened” will result in a vacuuming of time. These days, there is too much to do to fill our time, resulting in frustration and ambivalence, lack of action. Everything is disposable, most people have access to all things. Craft has been devalued.
Stress over how to properly fill free time will only result in ambivalence and pensive staring.
“What should we do today? Well, we no longer have time to do that. Let’s just chill.”
I even have trouble figuring out what movie I want to watch on netflix, how to get the most out of my two hours of leisure. Sometimes, I get frustrated with my wasting of time. I should have filled that space between class and work with some art, maybe reading.
Time management is often more difficult for the person who wants to do everything at once, the hopeful and ambitious. Therefore, we say have nothing to do, while so many concepts and ideas are left unexplored. We are fearful of unclear destination. This is a result of our insecurity as a human race.
By nature, humans in this consumerist society are socialized to be disgustingly dependent and insecure. We are taught that it is rude to stare, to trust no one, that we should not talk to unfamiliar people (to whom we give the name “strangers”).
Our days are filled with senseless analyses in the mirror, twiddling of thumbs, daydreamers’ gazes and actionless aspirations. Our lists grow longer as our sporadic interests change, passing each occasion away in fantasies. We collect books we never read, that share shelves with newspaper clippings and half-finished sketches. Material accumulation is easier than careful consolidation. Passions are disposable as hobbies, nicknames.
We purchase and consume with the hope that it will bring us happiness and fulfill this void we call nothing-to-do, but consuming only widens it.
There is always time to become enlightened.
Wake up a little earlier.
Give less shits about your appearance.
Leave your phone at home, stay away from your computer.
Najarjuna, one of the most important Buddhist philosophers of historical buddhism, held that “nothing exists, nothing inexists, nothing exists and inexists, and nothing does not exist and inexists.” While this is a concept that took me a good while to grasp, I have come to the conclusion that material means nothing, and dependence on any of the sense objects is fruitless. The only real thing lies in the middle of all of these concepts.
Solution: We must pursue truth with as little on our backs as possible: minimize worries, material and preconceived notions. Take things as they come, enjoy the present moment.
That’s my rant for the day.
The Stoked Daily. 