Be More Bored

Be More Bored is an appeal and practice, a living space inside all of us where we find a well of inspiration and the wares to satisfy our most sacred muse. This muse is a constant presence giving us direction, life purpose, a sense of discovery and boundless joy. She is most happy when abided, and most irritable when ignored. And hence we are too. Never has it been easier to ignore the muse than in our current state of constant stimulation. When that stimulation is removed, we face an empty space where boredom creeps in. This boredom asks to be fulfilled too...to check the flow of notifications, scroll down, scroll up, select the next film in the queue. Boredom appears to be the enemy of the muse, but in fact it is the very same thing. A space that demands attention. But what kind of attention? At our retreat center, we practice at "being more bored". We embrace an unspoiled nature and tuck our screens away. We paint under the Tuscan sun, learn printmaking, fill our sketchbooks with drawings and poems. We feed ourselves on writing prompts and tell original stories to inquiring ears. We sit. We listen to birdsong and participate in the call and response. We walk the surrounding hills, pathways that cut through olive grove and vineyard, and make discoveries as children again. We remember how it is to never be bored..