It occurred to me recently that during the Covid lockdown, it is possible that some cross section of modern society may have been exposed to portions of the Dharma in a fashion that may leave a lasting impression.
Suffering, worry, anxiety, etc. are of course more on the radar for some, but another angle may also be present.
If an individual has introverted tendencies, has been home for a prolonged period of time, has not had to work or go in to work for extended periods and has been fairly free from social engagements, then they could fill their time with video games, movies, food, hobbies and other pursuits that qualify as only what they wish to do, for most of the day, for long periods of time without much interruption.
This is a somewhat unique opportunity in our modern western culture to explore what the experience is like when we can have things as we want them, without interruption for longer periods of time than the standard vacation provides.
Along with this continuous feed of pleasurable activities inevitably comes a growing sense of grating lack of ease, and unrest. Trying to quench these feelings with more pleasurable distraction simply muffles the feelings for a short time, allowing them to resurface and erupt again and again in increasingly obvious ways.
What a wonderful opportunity to observe, teach, learn about and work with Dharma to ease these feelings for ourselves and others. Without this opportunity, the reality of dukkha (unsatisfactory-ness) being present in sensory pleasure tends to be much more difficult to pinpoint for many.
If we find ourselves experiencing some of this unrest, here are some simple suggestions to work with it.
- Take time to connect with, or do something nice for someone else. Explore how the pleasure related to bringing happiness to others differs from the experience of fulfilling self-centered sensory pleasures.
- Going through our belongings, we can find items we no longer feel we need. Giving these items to others that may value or use the more can be a wonderful dual practice of renunciation and generosity. Explore how this type of pleasure also differs from that of sensory pleasures.
- Set aside some time to practice a meditation method regularly. Explore how the grounding feeling of experiencing and working with the mind in this fashion compares to that of sensory pleasure.
May this exploration be fruitful and of benefit for all beings.