Music- A Tool For Self Actualization Or A Distraction?

[shahar uriel]

Hi. Im currently in the process of removing some hard addictions in my life. Stuff like porn, tv, social media news etc. A few days ago something came in to my mind that I haven’t considered yet to be an addiction, but now I've got mixed feeling about. Listening to music.

My life literally revolve around listening to music. The first thing that goes in my mind after I wake up is the need to put on my headphones and hear some music. When I'm reading some book, surfing the web or doing some home task like cleaning/ laundry, I literally have to listen to music unless it will be too boring for me to do. A few days ago I tried leave home for work without my headphones. While driving in the bus I started to feel hard cravings and really anxious that I haven't had the ability to put on my headphones and listen to some music.

With music, everything feel so alive and meaningful, and without life seems so boring and mundane. For instance, I read the book "meditations" by Marcus Aurlious right now, and while reading it with music in my ears, tears may come to my eyes when reading a powerful quote that I relate to. When I turn the music off, suddenly the book becomes boring and I loose all the will to even read it. The problem is that it can hinder me from performing tasks in my life that requires no music. For instance its really hard for me to do my daily meditation which is ONLY 10 MIN of the do nothing technique because I feel such a hard need to listen to music while doing it.

Upon reflecting the past few days on my relationship with music, I really don’t know how should I act. On the one hand, its just music, and it does makes my life more exciting and meaningful. on the other hand, I feel like a drug addict that have to have its daily dose of drug, and sometimes cant get enough of it .It might sounds crazy, but that’s the harsh truth.. It really hindering me being more present and mindful.

What is your opinion? Should I avoid all music listening, get rid of my headphones and speakers and treat it like every other addiction? Or I'm being too harsh on myself?

In my mind I really think that the right thing to do Is to stop with it cold turkey, at least for now until I will manage to be in control over it. I really feel that it is the fear of emptiness that gets me to listen to music everyday for hours, as leo said in his video about addictions.

I would love to hear your opinion before taking any action. Thanks 

[BjarkeT]

it probably depends on if its a distraction or an addiction if its something you are interested in it might be best to stick with it  an alternative could be to minimize the time you spend listening to music

Edited November 9, 2017 by BjarkeT

[Moreira]

Music is a stimulation. And as all the stimulation (TV, videogames, tasty food, sex) it fucks your dopamine receptors so in the long term you wont feel pleasure.

[Vibivub]

Although I would consider Music as art that can help you in many areas of life, you are indeed very addicted to music. As soon as something triggers a strong craving and limits you mentally when you don't have it, it's bad.

But Cold Turkey is extremely difficult (except if you have the mind of a buddhist monk) and the most people backslide from Cold Turkey within a few Monks or Weeks. Definitely lower your music consumption by a lot and try maybe 2-3 weeks of no music. But the best thing you can do is...

Meditate

Meditate daily, don't do any fancy techniques but just sitting there doing nothing, being aware, watching your thoughts, watching your feelings. I can preditc that if you've been trying to fill that hole of emptiness inside you with music all the time, meditating like this will be extremely hard. You just need to stick with it no matter what.

And when you feel like you've accepted the hole of emptiness in yourself, then try listening to music again. Mindfully. Or even start learning an Instrument or Dancing. It will give you a new connection to music. Since I started breakdancing 5 years ago I've been listening to every kind music in a new way, more aware and mindful. 

Don't Hate, Meditate! Good luck!

[zenjen]

From my experience, addictions are like a tricky tangled up ball of thread. They all come from the same source, and once you start working to get rid of one knot, you might find there is another to get rid of first. For example, when working on your television addiction you might turn to music as an addiction and that becomes your next focus. Patience is key. Don’t expect yourself to quit an addiction cold turkey on your first shot. It is connected to others and may come back around as you work on it. I say this because I sense that you are feeling a bit overwhelmed. Have patience.

If you feel inclined to tackle music addiction, then do it. Just take it slow and really make yourself aware of how you feel when you get to listen to music, and when you choose not to. Become the observer, look at yourself from a distance. Simple awareness is the first step (you probably already know that, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded). Then start making changes when you feel ready. If quitting listening to music leads you to a different addiction, or back to another addiction you had been previously working on, be extra mindful of that.

I find sometimes just putting on my headphones and never even turning on music helps me concentrate, as strange as that might seem, I think you should try it. Also, I would suggest trying to listen to rain and nature sounds in place of music.

Hope this helps