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Sunday, November 24, 2013

Few Distractions



The modern world is jarring. Distractions are everywhere. Multitasking is elevated as a virtue. Splitting the mind, skimming everything, absorbing high rates of data -these are job and life requirements.

Yet the great thinkers of the past, the philosophers, scientists, and mystics, all knew that the most powerful force in the universe is the focused mine. How few the opportunities in our world to practice the art.

I find myself back in the world of sparkle and fluff. The TV is on. I'm drowning it out with music and headphones. Much to my surprise, even the celebrities in the grocery check out magazines grabbed my attention. What a waste of focus.

Mindfulness is a virtue in many religions and schools of thought. At least I caught myself being distracted.

Years ago I'd wander off into the woods to avoid the mental static and clear my mind. An extended hike in the backcountry did much to restore my soul.

After a few weeks on the boat, paying attention to wind, waves, and wildlife, my mind relaxed into that same state once achieved only in the remote woods. What a fine discovery -like a gift to myself.

What's the point of all these modern distractions? Who's served by our lack of mental focus? If the brain is like a computer, who's doing the programming? Is is the talking heads on the TV? Garbage in, garbage out.

Clear all that out and program your own mind. We all serve somebody. Might as well serve ourselves.

-Sixbears

12 comments:

  1. And again, you hit the nail on the head. The deep woods and the blue sea and sky are real and allow your mind to function the way it was designed by the Creator. We all need to get out in the wilderness or out on the sea to get our mind reset. Mother Nature is a great healer for what ails you.

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    1. Sad how we've constructed a civilization that removes us from the things our minds and souls need.

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  2. "Who's served by our lack of mental focus?" I think we know all too well.

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  3. My Mom and I are the only ones in the family that love to listen to the quiet. All the rest must have sort of electronic noise of some sort and heaven help you if the smart phone goes on the blink for some reason. It's like they get the DT's

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    1. Sad how so few are comfortable in their own heads.

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  4. We have become so conditioned by the noise we no longer hear it driving us insane...

    My thoughts are with you in hopes of a speedy resolution to the dental diversion. Painlessly, I hope, for her sake.

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    Replies
    1. Insanity is the word for it.

      We hope to resolve the tooth thing today.

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  5. I love to sit on my porch and listen to the quiet, watch the deer and turkeys.

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  6. Someone once said Simplify Simplify Simplify.
    They knew a thing or two...

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