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(Photo courtesy of Robin Worrall\/unsplash.com)<\/p>\n
I’ve heard people explain that they have no time to meditate for even five-minutes, and then proceed to tell me how they binge-watched some Netflix show or shared with me a series of Instagram posts. What were they saying about time?<\/p>\n
If life were a buffet, social media would be the dessert table: colorful, sugary, and absolutely irresistible. Who doesn\u2019t love a cat video followed by a meme about coffee addiction, topped off with a dance trend you\u2019ll never attempt but secretly admire? It\u2019s the ultimate candy store for your brain\u2014easy, fun, and requiring absolutely no effort. Television and streaming services are just the same.<\/p>\n
But here\u2019s the twist: social media and TV ask nothing of us. They’re designed to keep us entertained, not enlightened. And boy, do they succeed. Forget telling me of the exceptions. Whenever the online world presents us with something uncomfortable\u2014whether it\u2019s a sobering headline or an unflattering glimpse of ourselves\u2014it offers a conveniently placed \u201cskip\u201d button. Just one swipe, and poof! That unpleasant thought is gone, replaced by an influencer\u2019s avocado toast or a dog in sunglasses.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve turned \u201cscrolling\u201d into a full-time hobby, a lifestyle even. Entertainment isn\u2019t part of life anymore\u2014it is<\/em> life. And the price? Well, we\u2019ve traded the discomfort of growth for the convenience of distraction.<\/p>\n Now, imagine sitting down to meditate. Sounds peaceful, right? Think again. Meditation doesn\u2019t offer you endless highlights of other people\u2019s fabulous lives. Instead, it serves up your own inner monologue\u2014unfiltered, unscripted, and often downright unpleasant. It\u2019s like someone turned on a podcast of your worst thoughts and feelings, with no option to pause or skip.<\/p>\n Unlike social media, meditation doesn\u2019t let you choose the playlist. Did you want to think about that embarrassing thing you said three years ago? Too bad. Curious why you feel restless all the time? Here comes the answer, ready or not. Meditation confronts you with the parts of yourself you\u2019d rather ignore, like the existential crumbs swept under the rug of your subconscious.<\/p>\n But here\u2019s the magic: this discomfort is where growth happens. Meditation doesn\u2019t coddle you\u2014it challenges you. And while social media keeps you chasing the next dopamine hit, meditation asks you to sit with the present moment, no matter how messy or mundane.<\/p>\n Social media thrives on FOMO\u2014fear of missing out. There\u2019s always another story to watch, another post to like, another trend to follow. It keeps you chasing a finish line that doesn\u2019t exist. Meditation, on the other hand, flips the script. It doesn\u2019t care about FOMO because it teaches you to be content where you are, right now.<\/p>\n And let\u2019s be honest: when was the last time Instagram showed you the \u201cdeeper aspects of your humanity\u201d? Meditation does. It\u2019s like peeling an onion\u2014each layer brings you closer to your core, and yes, sometimes it makes you cry. But those tears are transformative. They\u2019re the proof that you\u2019re connecting with something real.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t to say we need to delete our social media accounts and move to a cave or turn off the TV. There\u2019s a place for entertainment\u2014it\u2019s a great stress reliever and a fun way to connect. But when entertainment becomes the main course<\/em> of life instead of the occasional treat, we miss out on the richness of self-awareness.<\/p>\n Meditation balances the equation. It\u2019s the broccoli to social media\u2019s dessert\u2014not always what you crave, but exactly what you need. So the next time you find yourself mindlessly scrolling, consider swapping one swipe for a breath, one click for a moment of stillness.<\/p>\n Who knows? You might discover that the life you\u2019ve been chasing online or in front of the 60+ inch screen was already waiting for you in the silence all along.<\/p>\n P.S. And meditation consumes no extra energy.<\/p>\n Bob Fagan has just published\u00a0“The Little Book of Questions That Matter — A Lifetime Companion For Transforming Your Life.”\u00a0It is available on Amazon. All proceeds through 2025 will be donated to charity.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Enter Meditation, the Buzzkill of Your Mind<\/strong><\/h3>\n
From FOMO to Freedom<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Swipe Less, Sit More<\/strong><\/h3>\n