Upāsaka

There is so much information that you can read today, thanks to the internet. Blogs, magazines, articles, essays, books, discussions, comments, opinions, studies, facts, guides, news. All available in an instant.

It's overwhelming. You might feel that there is not enough time in the day to read everything. You might have bookmarked articles to read later. I know there's a few apps out there specifically for the purpose of saving web content for later reading.

Now try this. On the same day of the same month of last year, what do you remember reading? Can you remember the exact article or snippet of text? Probably not. Can you remember what lessons you learned or what value you gained from the reading? If so, then it is most likely a good book or a long piece of writing that left an impression on you. All the other stuff is long gone from your memory. So why did you waste time reading it in the first place?

Here's something to try: read less, but read deeper. Say no to most of the articles and links whose titles beg you to click on them. Even if you want to, say no. Only read that which truly aligns with your life purpose. It's impossible to read everything, but it is possible to read something deeply. This means that you have clear knowledge of why you want to read this particular piece. It's not just something to pass the time. This means that you fully engage with the writing, analyze it, critique it, and apply it. This takes concentration. You have to sit down and dedicate time to uninterrupted, distraction-free reading.

A year from now, what will you remember about what you read today? If you don't think it will add value to your life in the long term, maybe say no. Choose to read less but read deeper.