The feeling of weariness is strong, throughout the day. Since the morning, there is this urge to cry out. Rumination is a mechanism. It is a mechanism for dealing with emotions, according to this study [1].
A man wishes to borrow a pruning shear from his neighbour. Along the way, he wonders what the neighbour will say and imagines increasingly unfavourable scenarios and in each, the scene is aggressive and depressing. Ultimately the man knocks the door. The neighbour opens the door with a smile. The man, fully immersed in his imagination, vented his anger at the poor clueless neighbour.
The study hypothesised that:
Excess rumination is associated with problems with the braking mechanism in people with depression.
How does one live in the world, yet not be a part of it such that one is unaffected by the forces and conditions of the samsaric world?
I maintained, and I still do that samsara is NOT necessarily negative. Samsara is the nature of this place, it is the characteristics that define the environment we exist in. I prefer to consider that this samsaric stop is just that - a stop. One is here to "take a look, gain some experience (both pleasant and unpleasant)" and then one "move on to another "stop", very much like a train ride.
Or a roller coaster.
A roller coaster goes up and down. So too this samsaric existence has its curves and turns.
To live in the world but not be part of it, refers to the practice of maintaining a detached and mindful perspective on the impermanent and illusory nature of daily phenomena. It involves recognizing the transient and unsatisfactory nature of worldly pursuits and attachments, and striving for liberation from the cycle of pain, suffering, anguish and any other detrimental feelings, and states.
But,
This doesn't mean physically withdrawing from the world but rather nurturing a mindset of equanimity in the face of worldly ups and downs.
"That's easier said than done", you may say.
Let's see.
Take for example, the digital realm. The Internet, often dubbed the "digital frontier," has opened up new avenues for communication, commerce, and creativity. However, it has also provided fertile ground for malicious intents.
We are reminded time and again, to be wary of scams, phishing attempts, etc. Here, I draw parallel as such:
Being "in the world" means using the internet and technology, but not being "part of it" in the sense of blindly engaging with them.
I think we should all approach online interactions with a healthy degree of skepticism and not be attached to the idea of quick gains or easy rewards, which are often lures used by scammers.
What we need is a mindfulness bell.
Awareness of one's thoughts and actions, as discussed in this cybersecurity awareness article: What We Think We Become and also in this empirical study The Role of Cybersecurity & Policy Awareness underscores the importance of clear guidelines (rules, or policy) and being aware of one's own actions.
Applying mindfulness to our online interactions allows us to discern genuine opportunities from scams. By staying vigilant and critically evaluating online content, we can avoid falling into the traps set by cybercriminals.
Secondly, identifying root cause, ignorance about online threats, cyber hygiene, and safe practices can lead to vulnerabilities and suffering in the form of cyberattacks and data breaches.
Thirdly recognizing the chain of events. Stemming from the doctrine of dependent origination, it is often said that "nothing accessible to our reason or our normal experience exists without a cause". It talks about intentional action, intentional speech and thoughts.
I digressed.
But the samsaric world is a fertile ground.
If we look carefully, this is where the flowers are. The beauty of the flowers.
It is here that we can experience care, learn to care and be open to receive care.
Now this, is easier said than done.
Which part you may ask.
Why not ask yourself?
If you have a gift and you wish to give it to a person.
But that person is not open to receive it.
With whom does the gift remain?
When there is this, that is.
With the arising of this, that arises.
When this is not, neither is that.
With the cessation of this, that ceases.
I hold in my heart.. All debts must be repaid.
Reference
[1] https://scienceinpoland.pl/en/news/news%2C77611%2Cwhy-does-happen-me-look-recurring-negative-thoughts.html