Nothing new under the sun ...

[Matthew]

On the difficulties medieval monks had concentrating, including 'new technologies' such as the codices: the first 'books' as a potential form of distraction.

"Everything one is doing that does not lead to awakening is a distraction".

https://www.wired.com/story/medieval-monks-distraction/

[Dharmic Tui]

Quite a few years ago I was discussing Buddhism with someone who struggled to find the relevance of a 2500 year old Indian royal with modernity. Modernity is really all frills to what is the same human suffering there has always been.

There's an argument to make that modern distractions are designed to monopolize your attention in a way books never could, but I suppose it depends on the book. I imagine for those ancient monks even more so if they were living a more austere life.

[Dharmic Tui]

After kicking around this observation re:distractions over history. Surely once you remove the physical objects of distraction you are left with the ultimate distraction: rumination over past and future.

[raushan]

This article would have been different if it has been a insightful meditator. Although I agree that modernity has more tools for distractions. Internet, social medias are distraction machine. But ultimately it's mind nature to find a distraction. Mind will do anything to not stay in present and run away. Hence Buddhas and other great who conquered the mind are revered. It is a timeless thing. I agree Books are also distraction.

[Matthew]

The rules in the Vinaya about masturbation are a good demonstration of how much even monks choose distraction. They specifically rule out masturbation, but also putting your member in a hole in the ground or a tree, rubbing it with robes, the robes of another monk, against utensils, etc etc etc ... clearly even under the mentorship of the Buddha monks were very incentive in trying to get around the rules and distract themselves.