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November 2009 
If you could replace 'watching tv' with one activity, what would
Posted on Nov 4th, 2007
by 
Jayne
Jayne
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for November 04, 2007:
At least 9 years ago - probably more, I went on a 'media fast' for a year and a half (initially) in preparation for a major spiritual ceremony and process. At first I thought I couldn't possibly live effectively in the world and function - I was in a panic mode. I figured that after the year and a half that I'd take it up again. (btw, 'media fast' meant all popular music, movies, books, newspapers, magazines - the only things that were allowed was spiritually uplifting/inspiring materials and anything that was directly related to your work - necessary reading) Interestingly enough I adjusted quickly and realized that if there were any big news out there, I heard about it anyway. I really wasn't missing much. Well, I never went back to watching TV. So what has replaced it?? LIFE!!! Being actively engaged in life. Besides that - reading, watching DVD's, blogging.
Access: Public
thanks Jayne,
In my case a media fast began at age 17. One key event percipitated my turn from popular entertainments and the habits of distraction. I watched 'the late night movie' (some black and white drama from the 50s) with the tv beneath a window with the curtain drawn while outside, in front of the house, a body was dumped from the trunk of a car. It was the body of Daniel Jorden, a renoun organist, educator, and leader in the North American Bahai' community. The incident inspired a directly personal orientation in regards to history as it happens.
It wasn't until a little over two years ago that I bought my first tv. Then after buying a first computer last year, finding the I-I Multiplex, I got my first cd and dvd players in order to play the monthly IN offerings.
So when you say, 'what replaced it?' LIFE!!! I get it.
Kerry
Hi Jayne,
I did something similar to what you have done since 2000 when I got a new roommate (the old one was addicted to cable television) and banned anything else in terms of television watching but selected videos in the living room. This idea was reinforced in 2001, when I went to see Thich Naht Hahn after 9/11. He gave a short talk about being mindful which included being mindful about your intake of popular media. Since then my primary form of information about the world is taken in through the Internet or sometimes a newspaper (but not that often). I focus most of my reading and information gathering about dharma-related or inspiring topics, but have expanded a bit to include some high-quality videos and first-run films, My life has been much more peaceful since then, and the important stuff that affects my life still gets through, as you noted.