On the beauty in boredom...
Embracing an often avoided space and seeing strange similarities.
For most of my life I have battled against ‘boredom’.
I was terrified of the perceived lack of utility or time wasted without doing.
Throughout my recent travels and due to the benefit of some strong experiences, this myth along with my unexamined beliefs around boredom were severely shattered.
The words below were written as a self reminder to remember the value in blank spaces and to welcome boredom as I merge back into the fast pace of the western world.
I share them with you as an invitation to examine your beliefs about boredom and to explore a potentially untapped door to the connection I believe we’re all searching for.
To enquire into the boredom is to enquire into the backdrop.
The thing behind it all.
The place and space holding it all.
The screen on which the movie projects and plays.
If this is true, another word that might be used for boredom could be ‘consciousness’.
Consciousness is also the ‘thing’ that life happens in, of, through and around.
All happenings in life are born from and return to the stable space of consciousness.
Seeing this similarity, I begin to reevaluate my assumptions about boredom.
Maybe boredom isn’t a useless place that I forever run from with distraction.
Maybe boredom is in fact a direct door to engage with the study of consciousness itself.
Maybe, to get seriously bored might be a beautiful practice that opens me to a space so exquisite that boredom could never possibly exist ever again.
Finally taking the time to explore the space I often find myself seeking distraction from (which I generically label as boredom) is proving to be a powerful and fruitful experience.
If you’re at all inclined towards introspection, self development or a way a life that is in harmony with a rhythm greater than our own, I really encourage you to explore the blank space that we call boredom.
And, if you’re a wizard within the realms of boredom, please feel free share your insights, spells and experiences!
Big and BORING love,
Ryan
**the image I have used if from @homeinthehive’s Instagram