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Is there any benefit in abstaining from listening songs?
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All the songs which I have been listening since childhood are constantly popping up in my mind even the songs which I listened in the childhood.
Shall I now stop listening any song altogether providing I want to uncondition my mind completely? Are there benefits to stop listening them?
Also what shall I do when these old songs pope up again in the mind?
Note: If it's helpful to answer let me inform you that I have been practicing mindfulness along with anapansatti.
mindfulness meditation-mindfulness right-mindfulness
asked 5 hours ago
Rohith.
568215
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up vote
2
down vote
favorite
All the songs which I have been listening since childhood are constantly popping up in my mind even the songs which I listened in the childhood.
Shall I now stop listening any song altogether providing I want to uncondition my mind completely? Are there benefits to stop listening them?
Also what shall I do when these old songs pope up again in the mind?
Note: If it's helpful to answer let me inform you that I have been practicing mindfulness along with anapansatti.
mindfulness meditation-mindfulness right-mindfulness
asked 5 hours ago
Rohith.
568215
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
All the songs which I have been listening since childhood are constantly popping up in my mind even the songs which I listened in the childhood.
Shall I now stop listening any song altogether providing I want to uncondition my mind completely? Are there benefits to stop listening them?
Also what shall I do when these old songs pope up again in the mind?
Note: If it's helpful to answer let me inform you that I have been practicing mindfulness along with anapansatti.
mindfulness meditation-mindfulness right-mindfulness
asked 5 hours ago
Rohith.
568215
All the songs which I have been listening since childhood are constantly popping up in my mind even the songs which I listened in the childhood.
Shall I now stop listening any song altogether providing I want to uncondition my mind completely? Are there benefits to stop listening them?
Also what shall I do when these old songs pope up again in the mind?
Note: If it's helpful to answer let me inform you that I have been practicing mindfulness along with anapansatti.
mindfulness meditation-mindfulness right-mindfulness
mindfulness meditation-mindfulness right-mindfulness
asked 5 hours ago
Rohith.
568215
asked 5 hours ago
Rohith.
568215
asked 5 hours ago
Rohith.
568215
asked 5 hours ago
Rohith.
568215
asked 5 hours ago
Rohith.
568215
568215
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
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up vote
2
down vote
Going forth (i.e., becoming a monk)
They avoid dancing, singing, music, and seeing shows --MN27
For a lay person this may sound like quite the burden. However, it's not. Music is by its nature compelling. Wanting to listen to music is wanting to be caught up in it, to be emotionally tied and bound. Even professional musicians understand this and need to develop a necessary measure of restraint, distance and awareness to advance their skills. Similarly, listeners naturally develop a certain distance when listening mindfully. "Oh this song wants me to feel seduced by romance". Etc.
Note that the sutta uses "avoid". As in "avoid stepping in bear traps with bare feet." There is no sin or virtue here. I also avoid firecrackers because they can cause injury. Music isn't bad or good. In fact, one can actually listen to music mindfully to understand where hidden delights are bubbling. Then one can go meditate on those delights and relinquish them if possessive about them.
answered 1 hour ago
OyaMist
75817
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up vote
1
down vote
If you stop listening to songs, eventualy the odds of fragments of song poping in the mind would shrink, but is that realy what you are looking for ?
A better way to approach this would be to let go of the aversion you feel toward having songs beeing replayed in your mind.
When it occurs, do as you do with any other distraction or thought. Watch is appear and disappear by itself, watch for any sensation or thought that may arise because of it.
Even if you decide not to listen to music anymore, you will be exposed to it against your will from time to time, so you can't really count on "dropping the listening habit" strategy alone.
Please also consider that one can listen to music in order to feel sensual pleasure, which is unskillful, but also to engage with a particular art form which won't prevent your spiritual growth at all. See this question Buddhist view on Art and being an Artist.
Music can increase one's motivation in his spiritual developement, by giving access to particular emotions one would have never felt overwise.
Just a few examples on the top of my head :
If you are on a bad day, listening to a particular song could uplift your mind and give you the motivation to sit and meditate.
I you have trouble feeling goodwill towards other human beeings, try listening to Beethoven's 9th symfony. Also 5th symfony can easely be interpretated by the story of a person who gradualy overcomes his bad kamma. 6th symfony is about joy associated with nature. And so on.
As whith any other actions, you should contemplate the effects of listening to music. With time you will build up discernement, and avoid situations when listening to music is unskillful.
Be good to yourself and don't beat yourself over it unnecessarly. When you see clearly the drawbacks of music, things will resolve quite naturaly.
answered 1 hour ago
abernard
33318
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Yes, listening to music is called entertainment or sense gratification.
You need to understand the purpose of listening to music. Is it helping to grow spiritually?
Music will create emotions in mind, leading to suffering.
There are no cheats or listening to music once in a while.
You have to be serious for practicing dhamma.
Ancient Buddhist monks also practiced, avoiding to watch beautiful or colourful things for controlling mind.
Reading books is called intellectual entertainment.
Dhamma is for disciplined candidate.
Discipline will liberate your mind.
There has to be a fire of discipline to grow spiritually.
answered 2 hours ago
Christopher
144
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
Going forth (i.e., becoming a monk)
They avoid dancing, singing, music, and seeing shows --MN27
For a lay person this may sound like quite the burden. However, it's not. Music is by its nature compelling. Wanting to listen to music is wanting to be caught up in it, to be emotionally tied and bound. Even professional musicians understand this and need to develop a necessary measure of restraint, distance and awareness to advance their skills. Similarly, listeners naturally develop a certain distance when listening mindfully. "Oh this song wants me to feel seduced by romance". Etc.
Note that the sutta uses "avoid". As in "avoid stepping in bear traps with bare feet." There is no sin or virtue here. I also avoid firecrackers because they can cause injury. Music isn't bad or good. In fact, one can actually listen to music mindfully to understand where hidden delights are bubbling. Then one can go meditate on those delights and relinquish them if possessive about them.
answered 1 hour ago
OyaMist
75817
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Going forth (i.e., becoming a monk)
They avoid dancing, singing, music, and seeing shows --MN27
For a lay person this may sound like quite the burden. However, it's not. Music is by its nature compelling. Wanting to listen to music is wanting to be caught up in it, to be emotionally tied and bound. Even professional musicians understand this and need to develop a necessary measure of restraint, distance and awareness to advance their skills. Similarly, listeners naturally develop a certain distance when listening mindfully. "Oh this song wants me to feel seduced by romance". Etc.
Note that the sutta uses "avoid". As in "avoid stepping in bear traps with bare feet." There is no sin or virtue here. I also avoid firecrackers because they can cause injury. Music isn't bad or good. In fact, one can actually listen to music mindfully to understand where hidden delights are bubbling. Then one can go meditate on those delights and relinquish them if possessive about them.
answered 1 hour ago
OyaMist
75817
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Going forth (i.e., becoming a monk)
They avoid dancing, singing, music, and seeing shows --MN27
For a lay person this may sound like quite the burden. However, it's not. Music is by its nature compelling. Wanting to listen to music is wanting to be caught up in it, to be emotionally tied and bound. Even professional musicians understand this and need to develop a necessary measure of restraint, distance and awareness to advance their skills. Similarly, listeners naturally develop a certain distance when listening mindfully. "Oh this song wants me to feel seduced by romance". Etc.
Note that the sutta uses "avoid". As in "avoid stepping in bear traps with bare feet." There is no sin or virtue here. I also avoid firecrackers because they can cause injury. Music isn't bad or good. In fact, one can actually listen to music mindfully to understand where hidden delights are bubbling. Then one can go meditate on those delights and relinquish them if possessive about them.
answered 1 hour ago
OyaMist
75817
Going forth (i.e., becoming a monk)
They avoid dancing, singing, music, and seeing shows --MN27
For a lay person this may sound like quite the burden. However, it's not. Music is by its nature compelling. Wanting to listen to music is wanting to be caught up in it, to be emotionally tied and bound. Even professional musicians understand this and need to develop a necessary measure of restraint, distance and awareness to advance their skills. Similarly, listeners naturally develop a certain distance when listening mindfully. "Oh this song wants me to feel seduced by romance". Etc.
Note that the sutta uses "avoid". As in "avoid stepping in bear traps with bare feet." There is no sin or virtue here. I also avoid firecrackers because they can cause injury. Music isn't bad or good. In fact, one can actually listen to music mindfully to understand where hidden delights are bubbling. Then one can go meditate on those delights and relinquish them if possessive about them.
answered 1 hour ago
OyaMist
75817
answered 1 hour ago
OyaMist
75817
answered 1 hour ago
OyaMist
75817
answered 1 hour ago
OyaMist
75817
75817
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If you stop listening to songs, eventualy the odds of fragments of song poping in the mind would shrink, but is that realy what you are looking for ?
A better way to approach this would be to let go of the aversion you feel toward having songs beeing replayed in your mind.
When it occurs, do as you do with any other distraction or thought. Watch is appear and disappear by itself, watch for any sensation or thought that may arise because of it.
Even if you decide not to listen to music anymore, you will be exposed to it against your will from time to time, so you can't really count on "dropping the listening habit" strategy alone.
Please also consider that one can listen to music in order to feel sensual pleasure, which is unskillful, but also to engage with a particular art form which won't prevent your spiritual growth at all. See this question Buddhist view on Art and being an Artist.
Music can increase one's motivation in his spiritual developement, by giving access to particular emotions one would have never felt overwise.
Just a few examples on the top of my head :
If you are on a bad day, listening to a particular song could uplift your mind and give you the motivation to sit and meditate.
I you have trouble feeling goodwill towards other human beeings, try listening to Beethoven's 9th symfony. Also 5th symfony can easely be interpretated by the story of a person who gradualy overcomes his bad kamma. 6th symfony is about joy associated with nature. And so on.
As whith any other actions, you should contemplate the effects of listening to music. With time you will build up discernement, and avoid situations when listening to music is unskillful.
Be good to yourself and don't beat yourself over it unnecessarly. When you see clearly the drawbacks of music, things will resolve quite naturaly.
answered 1 hour ago
abernard
33318
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If you stop listening to songs, eventualy the odds of fragments of song poping in the mind would shrink, but is that realy what you are looking for ?
A better way to approach this would be to let go of the aversion you feel toward having songs beeing replayed in your mind.
When it occurs, do as you do with any other distraction or thought. Watch is appear and disappear by itself, watch for any sensation or thought that may arise because of it.
Even if you decide not to listen to music anymore, you will be exposed to it against your will from time to time, so you can't really count on "dropping the listening habit" strategy alone.
Please also consider that one can listen to music in order to feel sensual pleasure, which is unskillful, but also to engage with a particular art form which won't prevent your spiritual growth at all. See this question Buddhist view on Art and being an Artist.
Music can increase one's motivation in his spiritual developement, by giving access to particular emotions one would have never felt overwise.
Just a few examples on the top of my head :
If you are on a bad day, listening to a particular song could uplift your mind and give you the motivation to sit and meditate.
I you have trouble feeling goodwill towards other human beeings, try listening to Beethoven's 9th symfony. Also 5th symfony can easely be interpretated by the story of a person who gradualy overcomes his bad kamma. 6th symfony is about joy associated with nature. And so on.
As whith any other actions, you should contemplate the effects of listening to music. With time you will build up discernement, and avoid situations when listening to music is unskillful.
Be good to yourself and don't beat yourself over it unnecessarly. When you see clearly the drawbacks of music, things will resolve quite naturaly.
answered 1 hour ago
abernard
33318
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
If you stop listening to songs, eventualy the odds of fragments of song poping in the mind would shrink, but is that realy what you are looking for ?
A better way to approach this would be to let go of the aversion you feel toward having songs beeing replayed in your mind.
When it occurs, do as you do with any other distraction or thought. Watch is appear and disappear by itself, watch for any sensation or thought that may arise because of it.
Even if you decide not to listen to music anymore, you will be exposed to it against your will from time to time, so you can't really count on "dropping the listening habit" strategy alone.
Please also consider that one can listen to music in order to feel sensual pleasure, which is unskillful, but also to engage with a particular art form which won't prevent your spiritual growth at all. See this question Buddhist view on Art and being an Artist.
Music can increase one's motivation in his spiritual developement, by giving access to particular emotions one would have never felt overwise.
Just a few examples on the top of my head :
If you are on a bad day, listening to a particular song could uplift your mind and give you the motivation to sit and meditate.
I you have trouble feeling goodwill towards other human beeings, try listening to Beethoven's 9th symfony. Also 5th symfony can easely be interpretated by the story of a person who gradualy overcomes his bad kamma. 6th symfony is about joy associated with nature. And so on.
As whith any other actions, you should contemplate the effects of listening to music. With time you will build up discernement, and avoid situations when listening to music is unskillful.
Be good to yourself and don't beat yourself over it unnecessarly. When you see clearly the drawbacks of music, things will resolve quite naturaly.
answered 1 hour ago
abernard
33318
If you stop listening to songs, eventualy the odds of fragments of song poping in the mind would shrink, but is that realy what you are looking for ?
A better way to approach this would be to let go of the aversion you feel toward having songs beeing replayed in your mind.
When it occurs, do as you do with any other distraction or thought. Watch is appear and disappear by itself, watch for any sensation or thought that may arise because of it.
Even if you decide not to listen to music anymore, you will be exposed to it against your will from time to time, so you can't really count on "dropping the listening habit" strategy alone.
Please also consider that one can listen to music in order to feel sensual pleasure, which is unskillful, but also to engage with a particular art form which won't prevent your spiritual growth at all. See this question Buddhist view on Art and being an Artist.
Music can increase one's motivation in his spiritual developement, by giving access to particular emotions one would have never felt overwise.
Just a few examples on the top of my head :
If you are on a bad day, listening to a particular song could uplift your mind and give you the motivation to sit and meditate.
I you have trouble feeling goodwill towards other human beeings, try listening to Beethoven's 9th symfony. Also 5th symfony can easely be interpretated by the story of a person who gradualy overcomes his bad kamma. 6th symfony is about joy associated with nature. And so on.
As whith any other actions, you should contemplate the effects of listening to music. With time you will build up discernement, and avoid situations when listening to music is unskillful.
Be good to yourself and don't beat yourself over it unnecessarly. When you see clearly the drawbacks of music, things will resolve quite naturaly.
answered 1 hour ago
abernard
33318
edited 14 mins ago
answered 1 hour ago
abernard
33318
answered 1 hour ago
abernard
33318
answered 1 hour ago
abernard
33318
33318
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Yes, listening to music is called entertainment or sense gratification.
You need to understand the purpose of listening to music. Is it helping to grow spiritually?
Music will create emotions in mind, leading to suffering.
There are no cheats or listening to music once in a while.
You have to be serious for practicing dhamma.
Ancient Buddhist monks also practiced, avoiding to watch beautiful or colourful things for controlling mind.
Reading books is called intellectual entertainment.
Dhamma is for disciplined candidate.
Discipline will liberate your mind.
There has to be a fire of discipline to grow spiritually.
answered 2 hours ago
Christopher
144
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Yes, listening to music is called entertainment or sense gratification.
You need to understand the purpose of listening to music. Is it helping to grow spiritually?
Music will create emotions in mind, leading to suffering.
There are no cheats or listening to music once in a while.
You have to be serious for practicing dhamma.
Ancient Buddhist monks also practiced, avoiding to watch beautiful or colourful things for controlling mind.
Reading books is called intellectual entertainment.
Dhamma is for disciplined candidate.
Discipline will liberate your mind.
There has to be a fire of discipline to grow spiritually.
answered 2 hours ago
Christopher
144
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Yes, listening to music is called entertainment or sense gratification.
You need to understand the purpose of listening to music. Is it helping to grow spiritually?
Music will create emotions in mind, leading to suffering.
There are no cheats or listening to music once in a while.
You have to be serious for practicing dhamma.
Ancient Buddhist monks also practiced, avoiding to watch beautiful or colourful things for controlling mind.
Reading books is called intellectual entertainment.
Dhamma is for disciplined candidate.
Discipline will liberate your mind.
There has to be a fire of discipline to grow spiritually.
answered 2 hours ago
Christopher
144
Yes, listening to music is called entertainment or sense gratification.
You need to understand the purpose of listening to music. Is it helping to grow spiritually?
Music will create emotions in mind, leading to suffering.
There are no cheats or listening to music once in a while.
You have to be serious for practicing dhamma.
Ancient Buddhist monks also practiced, avoiding to watch beautiful or colourful things for controlling mind.
Reading books is called intellectual entertainment.
Dhamma is for disciplined candidate.
Discipline will liberate your mind.
There has to be a fire of discipline to grow spiritually.
answered 2 hours ago
Christopher
144
answered 2 hours ago
Christopher
144
answered 2 hours ago
Christopher
144
answered 2 hours ago
Christopher
144
144
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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