How many things can I do at one time and still be fully present and mindful?
This is something I have questioned for a while now, and a recent discussion with Bhikkhuni Vimala inspired me to examine this even more closely. And I’m sure that I have more questions than answers, so I hope you will all give me your comments and thoughts on this topic.
In current modern-day society, we are all constantly bombarded with an overload of sensory input. Most of us having at least one job plus a Family, loved ones, friends, and the ever percolating social media connections. This abundance of stimulus is often a reason for me to strongly desire a long silent retreat. To escape the constant barrage of conversations, stories, drama, and mind-numbing intellectual intercourse, sounds like a vacation in paradise. But not only is a retreat out of the question for me personally right now, but I also believe it is ultimately not a very good solution.
The truth is, my practice is grounded in the reality of this life just the way it is. With all the ups and downs and distractions that are part and parcel of living in this society. If I were to go away for a while, it only leaves me returning to the same life situations and distractions that I temporarily escaped. And I feel strongly that I need to learn better how to be mindful under the typical circumstances of my daily life.
And this is where I think that multitasking becomes something to examine very closely.
I often tell people who I work with that I am a very good multi-tasker. When they offer to let me off the phone to handle something else, I refuse and let them know that it’s not a problem and I can handle many things at one time. In fact, I think I have always thought it was a weakness in anyone if they could not do more than one thing at a time. Which easily feeds my ego, and convinces me that I just have superior brain power to most people. And while that may be true to some degree, in the greater scope of things, it only means that I am possibly falling far lower on the mindfulness scale. For how present am I, or can anyone be, if we are doing three or four things at once? There is only one me, and one present moment.
Is there a solution to the demands that are put on most of us? Can any of us be fully present and mindful while handling multiple situations and calls to action from others? And should we become singularly focused on one thing at a time, what repercussions would we have to contend with? Our Family, our Boss, our friends, our social connections, are all demanding one hundred percent of our attention. And typically they each are also expecting a timely and conscientious response.
As Bhante Sujatha says “what to do”.
Let me know your thoughts, and may your day be bright and light.
