Dealing with Boredom
The problem of boredom is one that confronts everyone who attempts to live a more mindful life. It occurs during the formal practice of a meditation, but also shows up in daily activities. The experience of boredom can result in a "dulling" of awareness or a sense of disconnection from the present moment. When this happens during the formal mindfulness practice, you may find yourself becoming sleepy during the meditation. Often it is part of the resistance to continuing the practice. It seems as though the mindfulness practice is so familiar and so routine that it is difficult to muster any enthusiasm for it. This is a part of the normal rhythm of paying attention to life as it unfolds. The belief that some aspect of your life is dull and routine can be seen only as a belief. It is not a fact. Many of the greatest insights of the great minds have arisen from looking again at something that we all thought was ordinary, and finding something new and exciting. Some questions for discussion: What is your first sign that you are becoming bored? What helps you to move through your resistance and look again at an ordinary part of your meditation or daily life? What are the circumstances that make it difficult for you to escape from being bored? John Weaver, Psy.D.
Comments
This entry on Boredom sparked an awareness for me. Boredom, as you describe it, creates a drift into thinking and planning during meditation. When I become aware and note "thinking, planning", I come back to the breath. When I'm tired or feeling stressed it is more difficult to notice and bring myself back. And, now, since the class, having developed a better understanding, I begin practice with the clear intention to notice drifting and then bringing myself back to the breath, while continuing to work on the judgment piece.
Posted by: Kathie | November 19, 2008 05:41 PM
This is a great awareness. I think we can each identify some of the familiar patterns in our minds that indicate boredom. We leave the present moment awareness and begin to try to "entertain" the mind with some other activity. I like the way you start with a clear intention, because it clarifies what this practice is about.
Posted by: John | November 20, 2008 12:03 PM
For me Boredom during meditation and just evryday is something that I have learned to observe and move forward.For me I have learned to observe the boredom and try to let go of worries about tommorrow or difficulties in the past and try to stay in the moment.
Posted by: Rachel | November 22, 2008 11:35 PM