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Boredom

A window into stillness — a doorway to wisdom, or a descent into restlessness. It depends on what you do with it.

the conversation

We discussed about boredom during COVID — what it means, why it happens, and what it can teach us. Here is the video.

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wisdom on boredom
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The ocean waves endlessly without growing tired. Birds sing the same song every morning all their lives. Only humans get bored — because of memory. And memory is both a gift and a burden.

Boredom as a blessing — it pushes you to seek something new, something deeper. It turns you into a seeker, pulling you away from routine and waking you into a quest for the higher.

Boredom as a curse — left unchecked, it leads to frustration and depression. The mind wanders aimlessly, unable to settle or enjoy anything in front of it.

Meditation as the bridge — sitting with boredom, without fleeing it, opens a doorway into deep stillness. The Self is ever new, ever fresh — boredom is only the surface layer.

"Boredom is a blessing when it leads you to wisdom. A curse when it leads you to frustration and depression."

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

how to overcome it
1
Find a bigger purpose When your heart beats for something beyond yourself — a cause, a craft, another person — boredom quietly vanishes. Commitment is the antidote.
2
Meditate through it, not away from it Sitting with boredom — abhyasa — penetrates and dissolves it. Root it out through continued, deep practice rather than distraction.
3
Infuse love into repetition Repetition without love is boredom. Repetition with love becomes devotion. The Self is love — and love never tires.

Source: wisdom.srisriravishankar.org