Confronting Laziness and Apathy

[@Giantcrabz]

Great talk. This is my biggest problem, far more than anger or craving or anything like that. Laziness and procrastination are hard to overcome because they're so sneaky!

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Giantcrabz, yes laziness is a pretty important deal!

[@shantanushekharsjunerft9783]

Wonderful talk! Sloth and torpor is one of the five hindrances. It is also one of the most difficult one to overcome.

[@DougsDharma]

Indeed it is Shantanu! A little effort can go a long way though. 🙂

[@rocco2181]

This is the best channel i have come across.I am able to learn alot of new things about buddhism, i have been practicing theraveda buddhism since 2018. And love your positive energy, please don't stop spreading the true dhamma. 🙏🙏

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Pubg-Sabji, I'll do my best! 🙂

[@nsbd90now]

This was not even remotely what I expected from the words laziness and apathy which I see in terms of doing and functioning, but this is about maintaining focused awareness on these existential issues and topics such that we keep in touch with reality. I like the "3 feelings" thing... seems like that basic deep level where we move towards or away from something. We say a "yes" or a "no" to phenomena of which we are aware and experience. If there is free will that is where it is, it seems to me. The "neutral" state makes me think of the "banality of evil". I'm definitely all into if you're sleepy taking a nap! The Dharma of Siestas should be a practice. zzzzz! Current events over the past few years have definitely tempted me towards apathy as used here, which actually would seem a type of "doubt in the Dharma". However, they also seem to be showing some major next steps forward particularly towards actual compassion for others, and I'm going to assume that can be a trusty guide forward. It is really hitting me how Buddha talks about having _skills._

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@anetakrystyna]

It's really good talk! Thank you so much!

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure!

[@QUINNMARCHU]

Hi! I'm new to Buddhism, thank you for all the information!! I'm watching all your videos 😆

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Martina, thanks for your comment!

[@afanasibushmanov7463]

Thanks for listening to my suggestion for a video. I'm busy now so I added it to my watch later list. Looking forward to watching it.

[@afanasibushmanov7463]

I just watched it and I think you did an excellent job. My question to you wasn't about the political situation specifically, but more about society as a whole and specific issues that I've been through in the past. I believe that society as a whole is shaped by the political situation so you ended up doing a great job of answering my question. It's ironic that you put this video out today because this morning I was actually reflecting on how the political landscape is negatively impacting the way people treat each other. Thanks again for answering my question and putting out great videos.

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Afanasi! Glad you find them useful. 🙂

[@itsshelby]

For anyone interested, the forcing yourself to smile thing is properly refered to as the Facial Feedback Theory, a psychological idea that the muscles in your face can dictate and influence emotional changes.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Korasu Talks!

[@itsshelby]

@@DougsDharma thank you for introducing me to a new path in life 💙

[@paulomoreira995]

amazing as always ;-)

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@coldhart79]

Thanks i need this. 🙏

[@DougsDharma]

You’re very welcome Keith!

[@santiagokaderian544]

I like this video !! :D

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Santiago! 🙏

[@jean-michellaurora1854]

MERCI

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Jean-Michel! 🙏

[@gscrean]

I've struggled for some time to understand the poison of ignorance. Would you say this is related, Doug? That of having too much "meh" in our status quo?

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, apathy tends to lead to a failure to investigate things fully enough, which promotes ignorance.

[@user-ki3eo9qu4r]

Like Always, very helpful vedio Sir!❤❤❤ Sur could you make a vedio on brahmacharya (celibacy). What is buddha's thinking on brahmacharya for layperson like me. I'll be eagerly wating to hear about it from you sir!

[@DougsDharma]

I have an earlier video on that topic that might interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXyuqoCPdrh_jNU 🙏

[@MrSimp75]

While laziness is not good, but what kind of action is the best according to Buddhism ? Can day dreaming be good ? is planning good ? Is speculation good ? Is fantasy good ? Is thinking of something good ? Or does action only means physical action ?

[@DougsDharma]

It all depends MrSimp75, there is no simple answer to this kind of question according to early Buddhism. Much of the work we do in meditation and otherwise is "just" thinking, contemplating, and observing. It's crucial work.

[@paulomoreira995]

Please make a vídeo about confidence/Sadha, or How to cultivate It.

[@DougsDharma]

I have a couple of videos on faith/confidence: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqbLqqh-l5JsjpY and kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJSuk3yBh8l8kNk , it's an interesting question how to cultivate it.

[@paulomoreira995]

@@DougsDharma thanks a Lot :-)

[@sagarbhave5483]

Hello Mr. Doug, earlier I was living very unsatisfactory life, at that time I was taking too much stress for my work and success and working very hard But now I started learning about Dharma and trying to calm myself but I feel some laziness and apathy came in my work But to remove this, if i again focus on unsatisfactory nature of life then I fear that again I start living same anxious life again Could you please elaborate how I can balance

[@DougsDharma]

Balance takes time and practice, there is no easy answer sagar. Just be patient with yourself and keep focused on the aims of calm, wisdom, kindness.

[@davido8155]

Stoics meditate on death as well, its great to know Buddhism shares so many similarities.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes I have a few videos on Stoicism and Buddhism, they are indeed similar in many respects.

[@DipayanPyne94]

Well, David, Stoic meditation isn't really meditation in the Buddhist sense. Stoicism doesn't have any practices like Vipassana, Dhyana, Pranayama etc etc. It has a strong rational component, which is not the case with Buddhism, coz Buddha wasn't a Rationalist, although his Core Teachings certainly are Rational ...

[@uliuli8997]

I was too lazy to watch vid...and didn't care.🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂Great vid.

[@DougsDharma]

😄😄😄 Well at least you left a comment, so there's still hope!

[@uliuli8997]

@@DougsDharma Just teasing. I find your vids inspiring...motivational...on point...and insightful. And as soon as I shake my laziness and apathy....I'll watch some more.🤣📿🙏

[@johnt.inscrutable1545]

Dear Doug, I have listened to a few of your videos. I like them and find them useful and enjoyable. Please keep in mind that my further comments are made out of love for the Triple Gem and the sharing of the dhamma. Note also that I have not one penny though that I can give. In fact, I have not one penny. You seem to have a good grasp of early Buddhism and your credentials would seem to support this. However, I have a question about your website where you offer some courses in dhamma freely, but you have a significant number of courses on dhamma for which you charge. I understand that there is a cost to teaching the dhamma. There always has been. But the Buddha put into place a system of monasticism that, assuming they are properly practicing and proving dhamma to the lay community, they would be supported by their lay neighbors. I suggest that rather than sell the dhamma, that you consider relying on support from your students and the lay community that believe you are provide a needed and valuable service by providing these. They would then support you in such a way that you wot not have to try to sell the dhamma. It might require that you give more of yourself which if not possible perhaps you could get partners to help present your take on the dhamma. But selling it seems to be a bit contrary to how the Buddha intended for the spreading of the dhamma. Others have done more in depth work in this manner and succeeded. And I believe you could, too. It pains me to see extended access to the dhamma limited to only those with money. That is very contrary to the intent of the Buddha, the Elders, and even the Mahayana Bodhisatva way. I hope you take this in the spirit intended. I have a great respect for what you are trying to do. And I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thank you and bless you, John The Inscrutable

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for your input John. As you might imagine this is something I have considered in some depth. Indeed I have an earlier video where I discuss my reasoning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYq3ZoyjopKthac . I do have a Patreon site for those willing to donate to support my work, and am happy to discount coursework for any who cannot afford the price. 🙏

[@Jewmoniez]

I know buddhism forbids intoxicants like alcohol but what about marijuana and magic mushrooms (haven't done shrooms). From my experience I have gotten good ideas and wisdom from the substance eventhough it was kinda a destructive habit. Can I smoke once or twice a year to seak wisdom or do you recommend I give up all mind altering substances together?

[@DougsDharma]

This is something each of us has to decide for ourselves: to what extent substances such as alcohol, etc. impair our ability to behave ethically. The problem in the Buddha's words is "heedlessness", or a lack of care and attention. If the substances make you careless and inattentive, particularly to the point that you are harming yourself or others, or getting angry or greedy, then it is time to consider more skillful approaches.

[@Jewmoniez]

@@DougsDharma Appreciate it. Courage should not come from a bottle nor wisdom from a herb. Thank you for you wisdom, I will use it to make a logical conclusions in the future.

[@Jewmoniez]

@@DougsDharma If I have attention deficit disorder, am I at a serious disadvantage to becoming Buddhist?

[@DougsDharma]

Not at all. It might make some meditative attainments harder to achieve, though I'm not sure of that either. And the meditation might be very helpful.

[@anjalib2210]

Buddhism is the 2nd oldest religion in India after Jainism Buddhism is based on Science Namo Budhhay 🙏🏻

[@veganpajamas4211]

even tho i strongly think you should be vegan, (i rarely comment on non vegan content), im getting a lot of good lessons and vibes from you, thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

I appreciate that VP, be well! 🙏

[@tobiaszb]

Why not confront the overwhelming unpleasant feeling that comes up seeing politics, anicca? Then the little gratefulness for the situation as it is can come by itself.

[@DougsDharma]

Maybe so Tobiasz, thanks.

[@fantasennay]

People or individual has no influence, the gov do the big mess 19:30 min

[@DougsDharma]

At the end of the day the government is just people.

[@rursus8354]

Dang! It doesn't make sense. It isn't the "neutral feelings" that create our "unsatisfactoryness," or whatever it is called. We are biological machines trying to transform chaos into order that we can control, such as for example transforming a wild nature into a garden or a farm. That's what we are, that is our nature. It is the essential nature of existence that we have an imperfect worldview, and so we are intermittently failing, and that is causing the "unsatisfactoryness," but it would be *immoral* to flee from it! The only *moral* way would be to learn about the world to improve our worldview towards objectiveness, and hence to less failure.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes Rursus, less failure is great. But we all fail in the end because illness, old age, and death are all inescapable. Thus unsatisfactoriness is also inescapable, much though we may have success in pushing it farther away from our minds.

[@nanemoon9968]

Maybe seeing what we can change (e.g. turning deserts into gardens) and seeing what we cannot change is the way.

[@rursus8354]

What the h*ckque is a "neutral feeling?" Feelings are either "bad" or "good", Buddha must have some special terminology, involving intuition, which is the nearest concept I can think of as a "neutral feeling." Most of the time we walk around with no feelings at all, reflecting the world around us, and thinking of a little this and a little that. But intuition is triggered mostly from outside while feelings are triggered mostly from inside.

[@DougsDharma]

Neutral feelings are those that are neither bad nor good. Most of the time we are having neutral feelings, which I think you are interpreting as "no feelings at all".