[quack!]

Hi, I'm new so I'll say "hello" first

For some time I have been conflicted between my lifelong passion for music/movies/popular culture and my theory about it being ultimately destructive on some level. I started by giving up T.V (it wasn't a decision, more a progression) and it's spread to everything else to do with media/pop culture more or less.

I've not been enjoying these things for a couple of years now (at least not like I used to) and have pretty much just given them up. It doesn't come naturally to me to sit down and listen to music or watch a film any more, and when i do, I don't get much from it. I can't decide whether this is a good thing or bad, or if it's a natural change in my life or something more sinister (depression for example). Because it's always been a big part of my life (and everyone I know), I'm struggling to admit that I just don't care about it any more. At the same time I gave up T.V I tried to stop eating meat, which I'm still trying to do with varying degrees of success.

I feel like I've had some kind of consciousness shift and half of me won't let the old stuff go.

[chuecafressds]

Hello and welcome Jame.

I can only offer you my own experience of what you are describing. As time went by with my Dharma study and practice I gradually lost interest in most TV programmes and I no longer wanted to go to the movies or read fiction novels. Also, although music had always played a big part in my life, I just naturally lost interest in wanting to hear any kind of music whatsoever. If I visit friends however, then I'll listen along to music that they like to listen to themselves, because that's normal for them.

I actually feel so much more peaceful and happier than I used to, and the desire to experience that kind of lifestyle just isn't there any more.

Returning to what you've said about yourself....no, I definately don't think anything sinister is happening to you! I think particularly in western culture we're used to bombarding our senses all the time and seeking more and more entertainments and distractions so that we're completely losing touch with a much simpler way of living.

However I think its a mistake to think that others who might enjoy something recreational that is different to our own choices are doing something that is "bad".

with kind wishes

Aloka

[wmirkru]

Hello Jame,

Be welcome to the forum,

I don't think there is something sinister at giving up TV and pop culture. On the contrary, as the practice of the Dhamma evolves TV and pop culture, IMO, are realised as the sinister thing.

I have never liked TV. But you know... we grew with that stuff in home. Until I could start my own life, I could give up TV.

Pop music is awful: Depression, attachments, sadness, drug, alcohol, cheating, jealousy and a big bunch of other mental confusions and defilements, is what is sung.

In general, pop culture is just about all the mental entanglements that taints mind and the recreation of those, over and over again, endlessly.

So it is great if you are giving up all of that. Takes time, but it can be done.

[DrJonson]

Thanks for the replies. I agree Esho, I find pop music unpalatable. It seems to advocate a sort of mindless obsession with everything shallow. It also ties in extremely well with rampant consumerism and materialism, as do a lot of TV shows.

[Unrersvar]

I find pop music unpalatable. It seems to advocate a sort of mindless obsession with everything shallow

Personally I think its inaccurate to make suggestions like that about all pop music, or to say that TV and pop culture in general is negative, because I don't think that's true.

This is an example of a hip-hop pop song from the past, which was by 'The Black Eyed Peas'. A couple of other teachers at the inner -city secondary school where I was teaching at the time, played it in morning assembly one day and the atmosphere in that hall afterwards was amazing !

Where Is The Love

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates

Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug

If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/b/blac...ovelyrics.html

[corkBrobe]

Personally I think its inaccurate to make suggestions like that about all pop music, or to say that TV and pop culture in general is negative, because I don't think that's true.

That's true, and it was somewhat of a sweeping generalization. Although it *seems* like songs with a positive message are often the exception rather than the rule. The same goes for T.V, there are some things I like on T.V (mainly nature shows etc.) and it's not all negative, but I find it easier to avoid altogether.

It seems to annoy me. Maybe that is something I need to work on.

[ResistNewWorldOrder]

It seems to annoy me. Maybe that is something I need to work on.

Hi jame,

There was a moment when pop music started to annoy me too.

So I give up listening to that and, if it happens that I have listen to that music I just try to be mindful about it not getting enmeshed with the feelings and emotions it provokes... watching carefully feelings, perceptions, mental fabrications around it.

Yes it is needed to work on it because we can not fully scape from pop culture. To be selective about what we watch and listen can be good too.

In Buddhism attachment to what we like and running away from what we dislike is a source of Dukkha.

[bUqLfXRI]

Personally, I've never been a fan of popular culture. Social networking isn't up my alley either. For the nearly 21.5 years I've been living, I've never owned a cell phone, mp3 player, iPod, or any other fancy gadgets besides a laptop computer. I can easily go 4-5 months at a time without watching any TV. While I do enjoy music and some films (mostly classics), my preferences are not of the mainstream variety. I prefer a good book.

Popular culture isn't inherently damaging, but it's not my cup of tea. There is definitely some good in it, yet it's not for everyone.

[uwJzsM8t]

Welcome Jame Like you, I have more or less lost interest in pop culture. I never paid that much attention to it, but I've slowly gone away from watching TV especially, and rarely turn on the radio anymore. I still have CDs and do have an iPod I load with music, but I find all that I have lately are songs that have meaning to me. And like Abhaya, I prefer books to TV.

With TV especially, I find that I resent the time spend watching commercials, so I don't watch it. But, like so many people, I think I feel the need to 'unplug' sometimes and watch something purely for entertainment. And often after reading a lot or concentrating at work or on something mental strenuous, my brain needs that down time to process thing subconsciously.

Aloka, that is a great song! Haven't heard it forever but I may have to go youtube it

[Forexampleee]

Hello Jame,
There seems to be a very consistent response from the contributors of this thread so far insofar as turning from music, television and general forms of entertainment. I have to say, I watch a lot of tv and love movies. My girlfriend and I go to the movies all the time. I wouldn't say that indulging in these forms of entertainment are negative at all. Experiences in life outside of these forms of media are just as likely to expose someone to similar content (offensive language etc).
I think it is important to continue activities in life that are beneficial to others as well as maintaining a connection to the outside world (whether through tv or otherwise).

Warmest regards,
Nick