Presence Of Leisure. . .
Leisure is often treated as the opposite of work. A time to turn off, tune out, and forget. While rest is essential, not all leisure restores. Some forms of leisure simply replace one form of agitation with another.
Buddhism invites us to look closely at how we spend free time. What are we actually seeking? Relief, stimulation, connection, numbness? There is no judgment in this inquiry. Only curiosity.
Mindful leisure begins with noticing how activities affect the body and mind. Does this leave me more settled or more scattered? More present or more distracted? Over time, patterns become clear. Some activities nourish. Others deplete.
This does not mean eliminating pleasure. Buddhism does not oppose enjoyment. It asks that enjoyment be conscious. Eating with awareness. Watching a film without scrolling. Being fully present with music, art, or conversation. When attention is whole, pleasure deepens naturally.
Leisure also offers space for reflection. Without the structure of work, the mind often reveals what has been suppressed. Emotions surface. Fatigue becomes evident. Practice here is gentle. Allowing what arises without immediately filling the space.
True leisure includes stillness. Moments without input. A walk without destination. Sitting without agenda. These moments are not empty. They are spacious. They allow integration.
When leisure is approached with mindfulness, it becomes restorative rather than escapist. It supports balance. It complements effort. It reminds us that being is as important as doing.
Peace and Love, Jim
#leisure #thedailybuddha #tdb
