Are passions distractions?

[Elysian]

I love to sing and sketch. I get so focused on the moment in these acts that hours can pass in what seems like minutes. I'll continue to do them until my voice gives or my hand is sore. 

My question is, by engaging in these activities/desires am I simply hindering my progress toward self-realization? Can I not use these interests as another aspect of being meditative? 

I've put aside unnecessary social interaction to allow more time to understand myself, and have been cutting out time consuming activities such as watching TV, video games, and porn. But should I really throw out creative interests too? I would love to replace my current work with these hobbies that I enjoy, but I'll never be able to do that if I consider them a trap of ego.

[i am I AM]

No, no meed to do that. Simply don't get attached to them, because if you get an accident in which your creative pursuits become altered or possibly even gone, this would be a backlash to your spirit. Any perceived ability or advantage you have should be as little concern to you as possible.

[Nahm]

@Elysian Sounds like you’ve been listening to someone who is retarding their own desire and stifling their own creativity. Maybe consider not listening to that person anymore, and notice they are coming from a place of lack and resistance in their life, and probably resenting you a little. 

[Arkandeus]

Creative interest are literally the most direct path to getting in connection with creation as a whole, even more then meditation

[DoubleYou]

Passion / creativity is your compass towards self-realisation. 

[Nahm]

@Arkandeus @DoubleYou  A million times... yes ?

@Elysian Careful with misinterpretation of “no self”, and listening to anyone preaching the misinterpretation. 

[seeking_brilliance]

5 minutes ago, Nahm said:

@Arkandeus @DoubleYou

@Elysian Careful with misinterpretation of “no self”, and listening to anyone preaching the misinterpretation. 

How to spot the misinterpreted preaching? Without you having to name any of them? How do I try (put on trial) the preachings with my own direct experience? Or must I experience no-self first. Well I may have answered myself. 

Edited October 21, 2018 by seeking_brilliance

[Hellspeed]

No. Enjoy them.

[Joseph Maynor]

You would only know that if you could rattle off your actual problem situations in life for us.  It's by fully knowing your actual problem situations in life that you can see distractions in high-relief.  Otherwise you stand no chance in having the awareness to stop distractions in any kind of tough-handed way.  The mind will rationalize any distraction in the moment.  The only way you can see through that rationalization is to know what your actual problem situations are such that you can memorize and list them 1, 2, and 3.

Edited October 22, 2018 by Joseph Maynor

[Elysian]

I'm not sure if anyone said something similar that I picked up on or not. It was something I was contemplating because of my short lived glimpse at what it means to be enlightened. The experience was so beautiful that I knew that I wanted to do whatever I need to do to create that distance from body and mind again. I just wasn't sure if the time I sink into my passions would be time better spent stripping association from mind. The creative process itself is inextricably linked to mind, which made me also wonder if it was simply another facet of mind to be overcome.

I honestly don't want to give singing or sketching up, but if it was what it took to be able to focus on spiritual growth with proper intensity then I would. Thanks for the encouragement to stick with what I love.

Edited October 21, 2018 by Elysian
grammar

[SgtPepper]

Nope. I love songwriting and doing it almost near daily basis either in my head, writing lyrics, coming up with riffs, and then when I have more free time, tracking it down and figuring out what makes a song good. Follow your passion, that's true living.

[universe]

I find this question is hard to answer.

Depends on how you define passion. The way you described your passions it seems like they are not a distraction but I would still say that balance is key. Also what @Joseph Maynor said.

[Elysian]

1 hour ago, Joseph Maynor said:

You would only know that if you could rattle off your actual problem situations in life for us.  It's by fully knowing your actual problem situations in life that you can see distractions in high-relief.  Otherwise you stand no chance in having the awareness to stop distractions on any kind of tough-handed way.  The mind with rationalize any distraction in the moment.  The only way you can see through that rationalization is to know what your actual problem situations are such that you can memorize and list them 1, 2, and 3.

Could you elaborate on problem situation?

unhealthy habits, physical/psychological health, financial difficulties?

[Elysian]

29 minutes ago, universe said:

Depends on how you define passion. The way you described your passions it seems like they are not a distraction but I would still say that balance is key. Also what @Joseph Maynor said.

Something I'm genuinely curious about or love to do. Something I'd do even if I'd never get paid to do it. Something I find fascinating when I do it or when I see others do it. Something that always makes me feel better, even if that's just working into or through difficult emotions.

Edited October 21, 2018 by Elysian
adding to

[Forestluv]

58 minutes ago, Elysian said:

It was something I was contemplating because of my short lived glimpse at what it means to be enlightened. The experience was so beautiful that I knew that I wanted to do whatever I need to do to create that distance from body and mind again. I just wasn't sure if the time I sink into my passions would be time better spent stripping association from mind. The creative process itself is inextricably linked to mind, which made me also wonder if it was simply another facet of mind to be overcome.

A similar process for me. Once I got a taste of enlightenment, there was an energetic shift away from seeking intellectual theories toward revisiting the direct experience of enlightenment.

I would be careful setting up a scenario in which an aspect of the mind must be overcome. That can re-establish the ego and keep it relevant. Ego says: “You need to keep me around to help you overcome this facet of mind thing”

 

[Elysian]

8 minutes ago, Serotoninluv said:

I would be careful setting up a scenario in which an aspect of the mind must be overcome. That can re-establish the ego and keep it relevant. Ego says: “You need to keep me around to help you overcome this facet of mind thing”

 

Do you mean to instead simply recognize what isn't me and remain aware of it, instead of actively trying to combat an aspect of mind, which is essentially associating with mind to fight another aspect of mind? A mind trap of sorts?

[Forestluv]

2 hours ago, Elysian said:

Do you mean to instead simply recognize what isn't me and remain aware of it, instead of actively trying to combat an aspect of mind, which is essentially associating with mind to fight another aspect of mind? A mind trap of sorts?

To me, it seems like you are at a stage with lots of de-identification with the personality. Perhaps part of the integration of your recent enlightening experience.

 

[i am I AM]

You can get lost in those mind traps! You'll be okay, though, and accept your divine potential. Shadows are a part of light.

[Joseph Maynor]

4 hours ago, Elysian said:

Could you elaborate on problem situation?

unhealthy habits, physical/psychological health, financial difficulties?

I'm going to develop a course at some point for helping people find their list of authentic actual problem situations in their own life.  But here's my list for what it's worth:

# MY MACRO-LEVEL ACTUAL PROBLEM SITUATIONS {}

1. Practice frugality.
2. Keep theory to a minimum in Journal Vol. 9.
3. Nip distractions in the bud.
4. Nip addictions in the bud.
5. Become a vegan.
6. Implement list of 'New Rules'.
7. Do more cardio exercise.
8. Do more weight training.
9. Adequate income.
10. Adequate savings for retirement.
11. Take better care of my appearance.
12. Complete a schedule everyday.
13. Sleep 12 pm - 8 am daily.
14. Obtain fast and reliable technology for my home office.

Edited October 22, 2018 by Joseph Maynor

[Forestluv]

1 minute ago, Joseph Maynor said:

I'm going to develop a course for helping people find their list of authentic actual problem situations in their own life.

Great idea. Spiritual or PD traps?