I really believe your statement about not being changed by meditation, but knowing you have been. This rings true to me as I cannot clearly explain how different I am since starting meditation. I’m the same but something has shifted within me. In boredom I found the worth of my ordinary life to just reject the need to always be doing, going, talking, planning, seeking, and never just sitting still both literally and metaphorically to what is in every moment. It’s liberating. My Mom kicked us out of the house on the weekends and in summer and told us to come back for lunch and before dark. We had no plan, but I now remember the peace and fun we created by being bored. We just played and didn’t think about it. Perhaps that is not possible in today’s world, but the unstructured time was a gift. If asked we would have said we were bored, but we weren’t because we had time mosey around and play. My closes in age brother and I often laid in the grass and watched the clouds pass by and pointed out the shapes we saw in them. Looked boring, but now remember these afternoons with fondness. It is a gift to be “bored.”
Liberating! Yes. And the knowing that meditation has changed you in some way that compels you to continue the practice. The change is in your relationship to the world and yourself, not an event that happens on the cushion.
I love this. I am trying so hard to teach Donovan that it is ok to be bored. Little ones are always on the move and in this day and age they want to be entertained by a screen. I have strict limits around ours and I want him to find time to be with himself and just see what comes up. Parenting with all this technology is so hard as well as being a public school teacher. Students no longer understand what is means to be board because they have a device attached to them at all times of the day. I am have been and I am still working to promote this change. Thank you of the reminder that boredom is ok.
This is so so good. And so true! When my sibs and I were little and told our mother we were bored, she'd say "lucky you!" I didn't understand that but I do now. I get bored on walks too, which never happened when I had dogs and walked them, because they are never bored outside in the glorious world of scents. I watched them and wasn't bored. Yet as you so beautifully express, boredom isn't something to struggle against. It has its own value. Thanks, Cyndi.
I could feel my shoulders dropping and some space to breathe opening up as I read this. I have been getting itchy with boredom. And now I know to lean into it. Why didn’t I think of that? Also! The snoot in the heart image is the best thing I’ve seen all year. 😍
I’m not certain who said this- perhaps Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche- “Boredom is very good news.” One of my favorite sayings to chew on. Love hearing about your walking.
I love those moments of cool boredom. For me, there's a feeling of openness and possibility in that space. (then I open up instagram, whoops)
Oops! Well, you know, there is a rhythm to it all, right?
So true and valuable. Thank you. I loved this.
Thanks, Ian! I have a feeling you are already pretty good at being quiescent.
Hmmm. Not sure about that :)
I really believe your statement about not being changed by meditation, but knowing you have been. This rings true to me as I cannot clearly explain how different I am since starting meditation. I’m the same but something has shifted within me. In boredom I found the worth of my ordinary life to just reject the need to always be doing, going, talking, planning, seeking, and never just sitting still both literally and metaphorically to what is in every moment. It’s liberating. My Mom kicked us out of the house on the weekends and in summer and told us to come back for lunch and before dark. We had no plan, but I now remember the peace and fun we created by being bored. We just played and didn’t think about it. Perhaps that is not possible in today’s world, but the unstructured time was a gift. If asked we would have said we were bored, but we weren’t because we had time mosey around and play. My closes in age brother and I often laid in the grass and watched the clouds pass by and pointed out the shapes we saw in them. Looked boring, but now remember these afternoons with fondness. It is a gift to be “bored.”
Liberating! Yes. And the knowing that meditation has changed you in some way that compels you to continue the practice. The change is in your relationship to the world and yourself, not an event that happens on the cushion.
I love this. I am trying so hard to teach Donovan that it is ok to be bored. Little ones are always on the move and in this day and age they want to be entertained by a screen. I have strict limits around ours and I want him to find time to be with himself and just see what comes up. Parenting with all this technology is so hard as well as being a public school teacher. Students no longer understand what is means to be board because they have a device attached to them at all times of the day. I am have been and I am still working to promote this change. Thank you of the reminder that boredom is ok.
Kendra, if anyone can help kids understand how to be centered and present, it’s you! And I know it is a lot of work to push against the culture.
This is so so good. And so true! When my sibs and I were little and told our mother we were bored, she'd say "lucky you!" I didn't understand that but I do now. I get bored on walks too, which never happened when I had dogs and walked them, because they are never bored outside in the glorious world of scents. I watched them and wasn't bored. Yet as you so beautifully express, boredom isn't something to struggle against. It has its own value. Thanks, Cyndi.
Thanks, Alice. What a smart mom you had.❤️
A compelling piece on boredom! Beautiful!
I could feel my shoulders dropping and some space to breathe opening up as I read this. I have been getting itchy with boredom. And now I know to lean into it. Why didn’t I think of that? Also! The snoot in the heart image is the best thing I’ve seen all year. 😍
Love to read the article, sitting on my balcony surrounded by wonderful singing birds.
Wonderful situation!
Happy Sunday!
I’m not certain who said this- perhaps Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche- “Boredom is very good news.” One of my favorite sayings to chew on. Love hearing about your walking.