The Bane of Social Media ("Giving up bad friends":
see next post )
The Bane of Social Media
I looked up 'social media' in the questions, but didn't find an answer precise enough for my inquiry. Basically, I came to the conclusion that 1) social media fragments attention drastically by multitasking and unawareness, and 2) it is extremely addictive, perhaps for that precise reason.
Thus, I ask what is likely cause, effect, and remedy linked with social media. What fuels social media use? What effects does its use have? What are the best ways to deal with this addictive medium? And finally, is it possible to tackle this addiction without alleviating it with the natural drive to socialize?
Thank you.
Venerable members of the Sangha,
walking in front Fellows in leading the holly life.
In Respect of the Triple Gems, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, in Respect of the Elders of the community
, my person tries to answer this question. Please, may all knowledgeable Venerables and Dhammika, out of compassion, correct my person, if something is not correct and fill also graps, if something is missing.
Valued Upasaka, Upasika, Aramika(inis),
dear Readers and Visitors,
-
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa -
(This is a maybe modified and expanded answer of the "original" that can be found
here .)
Eggman and those interested,
A general answer, which goes deep and shows also it's root, can be found in
Methuna Sutta: The Discourse on Coupling : Brahma/Abrahmecariya. It's simply a matter of desire of be coming and on most networks just a maintaining with sensual pleasures, just have the purpose of "sex" or unifcation and is at large for the most time unskillful entertaining of the mind.
In regard of developing right mindfulness the Buddha counted six things which should be avoided, yet the main reason why one joins social networks (AN 6.118):
- Lust for bodily work,
-
Lust for chatter,
- Lust for sleep,
-
Lust for conviviality,
-
Unguarded sense-doors,
-
Crapulousness in eating.
So it's clear that he did not encourage much to normal social gatherings, aside of teaching, hearing and discussing the Dhamma, for good foods purpose:
Humans not restrained in sensuality, (after) honour, and do the wrong thing. Acting on interest (greed), anger and fear, they are (engaged in) the defiled gathering. The recluse who knows has said, Great Men should be praised,
Established in the Teaching, they never do evil. They do not act through interest, anger or fear,
That is said to be the cream of a gathering.
Nevertheless, like food is used to overcome desire for food, so is it with socialicing. And:
It's not so that one should abound such generally first, but at least, that what is called:
Sangama [fr. saŋ+gam] 1. meeting, intercourse, association Sn 681; J ii.42; iii.488; v.483. -- 2. sexual intercourse M i.407; J iv.106.
The "with whom and for what purpose" is like most that what needs to be understood clearly.
A person tended to Dhamma and liberation will not be found on ordinary, wordily social medias by nature, but would seek for association with Noble Ones or those following them. Places which are not really frequented by many.
My person gave a extanded talk on Sangama, yet it is in German:
Socialicing - សង្គម [Sangama] , which conserns actually much on this topic generally.
One might now think that "buddhist" Forums and Networks are different. That is not the case. Nearly all those places and Networks, since mostly also householder undertakings, or gatherings of monks seeking for unification and gain, are nothing else as places for low kinds of coupling, entertainment, trade, nourishment of sensual pleasure and becoming, identify.
If someone, in the way of serving, helping, assisting those with noble inspiration, with tendency to Nibbana, seeks of relation with them, seeks for much as possible assosiation, this would be the reason why it can be expected, that such a person soon might develope right view and progress on the path. One who is after assosiation with admirable people and serves for that, walks an auspicious way.
So one is wise if only join places and communities where good deeds are in action practiced and to possible avoid places of consumery, of what even many "buddhist" place are, just charing and eating food (most from third, without any estimate ir obligation) and non of virtues visible.
"What is good friendship ?
"Herein, Vyagghapajja, in whatsoever village or market town a householder dwells, he associates, converses, engages in discussions with householders or householders' sons, whether young and highly cultured or old and highly cultured, full of faith (saddha),[4] full of virtue (sila), full of charity (caga), full of wisdom (pañña). He acts in accordance with the faith of the faithful, with the virtue of the virtuous, with the charity of the charitable, with the wisdom of the wise. This is called good friendship.
.
...
[Kapadika Bharadvaja:] "To what extent is there an awakening to the truth ? To what extent does one awaken to the truth? We ask Master Gotama about awakening to the truth."
[The Buddha:] "There is the case, Bharadvaja, where a monk lives in dependence on a certain village or town. Then a householder or householder's son goes to him and observes him with regard to three mental qualities — qualities based on greed, qualities based on aversion, qualities based on delusion: 'Are there in this venerable one any such qualities based on greed that, with his mind overcome by these qualities, he might say, "I know," while not knowing, or say, "I see," while not seeing; or that he might urge another to act in a way that was for his/her long-term harm & pain?' As he observes him, he comes to know, 'There are in this venerable one no such qualities based on greed... His bodily behavior & verbal behavior are those of one not greedy. And the Dhamma he teaches is deep, hard to see, hard to realize, tranquil, refined, beyond the scope of conjecture, subtle, to-be-experienced by the wise. This Dhamma can't easily be taught by a person who's greedy.
So one should understand rightly the meaning of
Seclusion
"It's through living together that a person's virtue may be known, and then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"It's through trading with a person that his purity may be known, and then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"It's through adversity that a person's endurance may be known, and then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"It's through discussion that a person's discernment may be known, and then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning."
Here one sees that it is required to assosiate and people who do not let others take part in all ways of their life indicate that they are not only stinge but may have reason to hide their certain secrets.
If one seriously like to make progress, food-places, shows, entertaining, e.g. common social networks (this incl. common "Buddhist" net works) need to be avoided, and one should not think "oh, look, this monks use it also, so it might be not that bad" since when seeing monks on social networks, it's a clear sign that such person might wear a rob but by heart had not left home at all, is - if good - simply
a "cook" .
Since it all is a matter of accumulating debts in this or that way, it's wise to look to whom on does increase debts for his/her entertaining, livelihood of mind. Some words on it may help:
Debts, but to whom? If one is not really blessed, not having good protection yet, one would be wise to activily seek for such protection:
Many devas and human beings
give thought to protection,
desiring well-being.
Tell, then, the highest protection.
The Buddha:
Not consorting with fools,
consorting with the wise,
paying homage to those worthy of homage:
This is the highest protection.
...
Respect, humility,
contentment, gratitude,
hearing the Dhamma on timely occasions:
This is the highest protection.
Patience, compliance,
seeing contemplatives,
discussing the Dhamma on timely occasions:
This is the highest protection...
Since just translating, as the mechanic of "gifts" and "debts", to (be)come again and again:
The manifold stresses
that come into play in the world,
come from acquisition as their cause.
Anyone not knowing [this]
creates acquisition.
The fool, he comes to stress
again & again.
Therefore, discerning [this],
you shouldn't create acquisition
as you contemplate birth
as what brings stress
into play.
This is why one should best only leave Seclusion just for the sake of giving, and its good that if doing so not even reputations should be accumulated, sharing what ever merits so that the fine grasping after gain get more and more tiny and possible will fade.
If you just go out for feeding and entertainment of unskillful mind states, what will you gain aside that the ability of staying secluded, independent, free, will more and more fade away? Beware of Mara, he is very strong this days, and best if possible cut of from ordinary social net works quick.
Anumodana!