Good points about the benefits of idling, time for uninterrupted reflection, etc. You can get some of that from a country stroll but it's nice to be still.
Somewhat related: I enjoy long solo air flights for one reason only - lots of idle dozing time, like when I've traveled from from Canada to the UK as an example. If only it wasn't was damned cramped. Trains could also work.
To everyone who finds it difficult adjusting to a contemplative life and having to deal with the subtle thaws at your conscience to be "productive," I recommend "Leisure: The Basis of Culture" by Joseph Pieper, and The Leisure State, an essay by G.K Chesterton.
Idleness as stated by Tom is not contradictory to having a strong work ethic. What changes is merely direction of flow between work and leisure. A "productive" culture moves from leisure to work. That is, we rest to work. But a leisurely culture moves from work to leisure: we work to rest.
Rest no longer serves work. Instead, intense work punctures the euphoria of a contemplative life. A leisurely life is transcendental. But work - as in a strong work ethic - keeps you here, not allowing you to evaporate or totally escape the physical realm.
"There are few models for simply looking out of the window every single day."
It almost seems impossible to both be very popular on social media while also living a truly leisurely life. It's theoretically possible, but the two things seem antithetical almost, which i guess is why there are so few models out there
Another great piece - i was curious which thought path you would go down and it was not what i expected but incredibly satisfying. Are you familiar with The Idler https://www.idler.co.uk/ ? And specifically to your point about staring out the window and doing nothing, I can relate to your friend as I will often leave my phone and books inside and just sit on the porch watching - it is surprisingly effective at calming me. But I think - as with your friend and myself - it's easier (not sure if that's the word) to do "nothing" while watching taht which we cannot control, ie the outside world or nature or the people in a coffee shop or pub. I have never been able to just sit in our living room and do nothing (unless i'm meditating but that's doing something). Do you notice the same theme in your experiences of being idle?
Suzuki said "A Zen student must learn to waste time conscientiously." I love that quote, I think it very much applies to your thought-provoking article.
Good points about the benefits of idling, time for uninterrupted reflection, etc. You can get some of that from a country stroll but it's nice to be still.
Somewhat related: I enjoy long solo air flights for one reason only - lots of idle dozing time, like when I've traveled from from Canada to the UK as an example. If only it wasn't was damned cramped. Trains could also work.
The contemplative life is a goal.
To everyone who finds it difficult adjusting to a contemplative life and having to deal with the subtle thaws at your conscience to be "productive," I recommend "Leisure: The Basis of Culture" by Joseph Pieper, and The Leisure State, an essay by G.K Chesterton.
Idleness as stated by Tom is not contradictory to having a strong work ethic. What changes is merely direction of flow between work and leisure. A "productive" culture moves from leisure to work. That is, we rest to work. But a leisurely culture moves from work to leisure: we work to rest.
Rest no longer serves work. Instead, intense work punctures the euphoria of a contemplative life. A leisurely life is transcendental. But work - as in a strong work ethic - keeps you here, not allowing you to evaporate or totally escape the physical realm.
Thanks.
"There are few models for simply looking out of the window every single day."
It almost seems impossible to both be very popular on social media while also living a truly leisurely life. It's theoretically possible, but the two things seem antithetical almost, which i guess is why there are so few models out there
Another great piece - i was curious which thought path you would go down and it was not what i expected but incredibly satisfying. Are you familiar with The Idler https://www.idler.co.uk/ ? And specifically to your point about staring out the window and doing nothing, I can relate to your friend as I will often leave my phone and books inside and just sit on the porch watching - it is surprisingly effective at calming me. But I think - as with your friend and myself - it's easier (not sure if that's the word) to do "nothing" while watching taht which we cannot control, ie the outside world or nature or the people in a coffee shop or pub. I have never been able to just sit in our living room and do nothing (unless i'm meditating but that's doing something). Do you notice the same theme in your experiences of being idle?
Suzuki said "A Zen student must learn to waste time conscientiously." I love that quote, I think it very much applies to your thought-provoking article.