Something Less?

Inspired by Sam Harris' article with further concepts from social psychologist, Erich Fromm.

Sometimes we become so consumed with various aspects of our lives that we accelerate to the point of not being able to slow down. Today's technological advancements provide us with an endless array of distractions and convenience; It keeps our minds disengaged and idle. We are constantly searching for the next form of distraction to get us through the day.

But what are our motivations for activity? Are we content with just being? What is someone's motivation for working eighty hour weeks compared to someone's motivation for choosing to spend dozens of mindless hours in front of a TV? Is it possible that we are all just trying to escape our insecurities through any means, active or passive ?

Through an Eastern perspective, being passive through concentrated meditation is the highest activity there is, which in return will produce a still, calm mind. Stop searching for the next distraction and harness your free-time and enjoy the now.

"Is there, in other words, a form of happiness that is not contingent upon our merely reiterating our pleasures and successes and avoiding our pains...

Is there a form of happiness that is not dependent upon having one’s favorite food always available to be placed on one’s tongue or having all one’s friends and loved ones within arm’s reach, or having good books to read, or having something to look forward to on the weekend?

Is it possible to be utterly happy before anything happens, before one’s desires get gratified, in spite of life’s inevitable difficulties, in the very midst of physical pain, old age, disease, and death?

Even when everything has gone as well as it can go, the search for happiness continues, the effort required to keep doubt and dissatisfaction and boredom at bay continues, moment to moment."--Sam Harris