Wholesome Wednesdays (WW): Bringing you curated positive content on Wednesdays to uplift your hump day.
Mindfulness now seems so commoditised and with its βapplicationβ to many things. Social media is another area that we see more tagging with the word βmindfulnessβ. With algorithms stacked against our brains to promote endless scrolling, can we exit the joyless trap that sucks our time into a void? We offer two stories for your next social media experience.
1. Can one be mindful while social media? A zen master answers. 2. Being aware of the red dots that blinds us
Can one be mindful while social media? A zen master answers.
Cr: Unsplash
What’s going on here & Why we like it
Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay), is asked a question about whether it is possible to use social media mindfully. Thay turns the answer in a different direction which almost makes you think that he does not answer the question.
He points towards the advance of technology that allows for communication but not necessarily a connection. We often are quick to anger on social media and name-call others whom we donβt know. There is little room for compassion in how most of us use social media. Thay establishes that as the grounding principle before we start to engage online.
“Many electronic devices are helping us get away from ourselves and do not give us a chance to be with ourselves. There is suffering, fear, and anger within ourselves and we do not have time to handle the suffering within ourselves. We cannot communicate with ourselves.”
Wise Steps
Try to find ways to communicate compassionately online
Fill your feed with positive and inspiring content that provides more ground for skillful mindstates rather than other content that promotes greed, hatred, or ignorance
How do you honestly feel about your social media usage?
The tiny wisdom, an Instagram page with awesome wisdom comics, shares an experience of waking up to our surroundings when our phone dies.
It is a refreshing look at our world, away from a digital one. We like the fresh look of how things taste and feel more beautiful when we are in the moment.
“That day i saw the sky and the trees. And i made connections with people”
Wise Steps
Ask: what is the last time I went without my phone, how did it feel?
Action: Next time you are on a walk, leave your phone at home:)
Wholesome Wednesdays (WW): Bringing you curated positive content on Wednesdays to uplift your hump day.
Today, we look at two stories with the theme of endings. One talks about how we might inevitably kill our self-confidence. The other talks about our unwillingness to face the uncertainty of death.
1. Here’s how we unwittingly devalue our accomplishments
2. The dying fish fighting over water and the lessons we can learn
Here’s how we unwittingly devalue our accomplishments
Unsplash
What’s going on here
Liz and Mollie, a famous Instagram page for doodles, shares a poignant image of how we shatter our confidence just by simply scrolling through social media. The caption provides greater reflection for those of us who consume social media before we get out of bed in the morning.
Why we like it
This post reminds us of how we can do a disservice to ourselves by scrolling through social media. We often try to use social media to distract us from boredom…only to find ourselves feeling guilty for not moving fast enough/being good enough/being smart enough. This image is an easy reminder to not over-scroll on Instagram.
“If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling and self-loathing, remember that we usually only get to see people’s highlight reels.”
Wise Steps
Set an Instagram timer using its settings to make you pause through your scrolling. This prevents you from going into a loop of self-loathing.
The dying fish fighting over water and the lessons we can learn
Unsplash
What’s going on here
αΉ¬hΔnissaro Bhikkhu, a monk famous for translating loads of suttas into English & his uber-low voice, talks about how the impermanence of life can really motivate us to be better people. You could die today, are you ready to go? This 12 mins talk reminds us that if we donβt pull our act together, no one is gonna do it for us.
Why we like it
Venerable Thanissaro challenged us to look at our minds right now, and see if we are like fish fighting in a pond that is being drained of water. His calm narration would lure you back to reality and see what is truly important. This talk reminds us of how things are uncertain and how we can’t control our bodies & health.
“The world is drying up and the fishes are beating each other for whatever water is left.”
Wise Steps
Contemplating the impermanence of life can ground us in the present moment and guide us to prioritise the things that matter most in life. There is work to be done and we can’t be complacent.
Wholesome Wednesdays (WW): Bringing you curated positive content on Wednesdays to uplift your hump day.
2 stories for you today!
January has “passed away”, how has the first month been? January was also a month that marked the passing of Ajahn Chah, a famous Thai Forest Monk. We share a story of his teaching and a simple picture on spring cleaning!
1.Our real home: Ajahn Chah’s encouragement for a dying disciple
2. Spring cleaning our social media
Our Real Home: Encouragements for a dying disciple
Unsplash
What’s going on here
Ajahn Chah, a renowned Thai forest monk, gives encouragement to a lay disciple that was passing away. He beautifully encourages the person to be fearless as life ebbs away. It is worth a listen and read especially for those of us who are with someone facing death.
Why we like it
Ajahn Chah uses the nature of things to skillfully cast out fear for his disciple. He makes you ponder deeper about where our true home is. We can spend this year chasing the external material stuff or this year developing ourselves. We are often paralysed when loved ones are diagnosed with a terminal illness or facing their end. Hence, this provides a balm to the questions we might have about dying.
“The river that must flow down the gradient is like your body. Having been young your body has become old and now it’s meandering towards its death. Don’t go wishing it was otherwise, it’s not something you have the power to remedy. “
Wise Steps
Where is our real home? Are we developing it daily or are we putting energy into things that eventually fall apart? By reflecting deeper, may you find the energy to develop your mind for the rest of the year!
@peopleiveloved draws a simple image of housecleaning our lives.
Why we like it
A short simple image to remind us to let go of things that no longer uplift our mind. The acquaintances or influencers whom we follow and feel jealous about.
“Housecleaning. I used to want to know… now I am not so sure.”
Wise Steps
Check your social media feed! Are there people you follow that makes you feel inadequate and demotivated? It might be time to unfollow!
