Mindul TV viewing?

[heedable]

I was asked today 'Is there such a thing as mindful tv viewing'? I replied that, to me at least, mindfulness means first taking taking care where we place our attention, so that would imply being mindful of what we watch (i.e consider how the content has an impact on us - a diet of Jerry Springer or Jeremy Kyle vs a comedy or documentary, for instance) as well as how much ('sitting in front of the box' vs choosing to select certain shows).

I understand that, potentially, any action can be mindfully done, so that would include tv but, surely, in being mindful, we would be less likely to watch certain things, just as we would avoid certain activities. If an activity could cause harm to ourselves or another (physical or mental), how could we be mindful in doing it? Mindfulness would surely mean being aware of potential harm and, therefore refraining from or stopping the action.

[JonW]

Must say, I never watch scheduled TV any longer. Occasionally friends will pop round and we'll put a DVD on. In the past I was guilty of slumping in front of a TV occasionally and watching any old tripe. But I don't feel the urge any longer.
Not that I think there's anything wrong with watching TV. As you say, there's a difference between sitting in front of the box and choosing to watch certain programmes.
As for the type of TV/DVD that's chosen, I'd definitely be less inclined to watch anything overtly violent these days. That might have something to do with mindfulness. But it might also have something to do with being bored stiff by the number of dramas about murder, which seem to be increasingly gruesome.

[FeeHutch]

I have noticed I watch a lot more DVDs or sit down to watch a particular programme now. For a long time I would channel surf and find filler programmes between things I actually wanted to watch and I don't do that at all now.

[Gareth]

I wasn't much of a TV watcher anyway, even before mindfulness. Music has always been my thing. I'd say that mindfulness has lessened the amount of TV I watch, but not by a drastic amount, as I didn't watch a great deal anyway. I used to be a bit of a news addict though, now I only watch the 10 'o' clock news everyday and don't expose myself to news at any other time; I think this is a mindfulness thing.

I reckon you can watch TV mindfully. Why not? I put a film on sometimes, and I feel like I'm much better at giving it my full attention these days.

The TV is only turned on because of the thought telling you to do so. When you are able to notice this thought, you might ignore it and decide to do something different.

[BioSattva]

As long as you know you are watching TV while you are watching it, then you are being mindful of watching TV. This would mean you are aware of your internal body reactions, and this in itself - the adrenaline rushes from dramas, etc. - can be a bit too much and cause one to turn off the TV and seek more comfortable experiences. Use your 'bodyscape' as a kind of compass for what is suitable or not. Why watch a thriller if it creates the same feelings as walking down a dodgy dark alley at night? Life's got enough bumps and crashes to deal with without willingly sending cortisol flooding through one's system.

I got half way through 'The Wolf of Wall Street' starring De Caprio today, which, although very engaging and entertaining, hasn't tempted me back just because of the uncomfortable internal tension - the 'dis-ease' - it causes in me. So I have this on-going relationship with movies in this way. If someone told me I could never again watch a movie, I don't think I'd feel particularly distraught.

[JonW]

Also, I guess to watch TV non-mindfully would involve fidgeting about with gadgets throughout and scoffing six bags of crisps without even realising that you're eating.

[BioSattva]

I must remember never to take you up on an invite to the cinema.

[JonW]

Heh heh.
Praise the Lord and pass the Quavers.

[BobR]

For me, its about content. I don't watch the news, "reality shows", drama's. Almost all of my viewing is science, science fiction or nature shows. Things that make me contemplate our place in the universe. Might watch a 2- 4 hours a week depending whats on. Bob

[Kossit19]

Good one! I believe that shows now days are very creative and informative. My kids watch shows by Andy Yeatman on Netflix and there is so much that they learn from these shows. I enjoyed watching the ones available on Netflix. Now, I want to add more to the list.