Breakfast Topic: WoW as meditation
by David Bowers 
Jul 18th 2007 at 8:02AM
Now, granted, there are plenty of complicated and interesting things to do in WoW that involve lots of concerted thought and could not be considered meditation. But couldn't grinding away on daily quests or farming for materials be considered a very modern way for some people to wind down, clear their mind of daily frustrations, and just be nothingness itself for a little while? I know for my part, playing WoW by myself for a while certainly isn't ecstatic communion with the divine, but it can be a great way to just put everything else away for a bit and come back to life feeling refreshed.
What do you think: is grinding a form of meditation for you, or is it just something to do when you're bored out of your mind?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick S Jul 18th 2007 8:08AM
if i'm really stressed out or feel like life is out of control, i'll admit it does feel good to go work methodically through some quests. gives a sense of order, reward for work done, and accomplishment.
Olympus Jul 18th 2007 8:11AM
for me, farming materials always cleared my mind. It was the only way to get to 300 mining before lvl 50.
itsthemechanic Jul 18th 2007 8:17AM
Fishing. Often knocked but great way to unwind in WoW and get some chatting done. Love it.
Shinagani Jul 18th 2007 8:22AM
I turn to WOW plenty of times after a bout with my girlfriend, to just let myself cool off. Gives me time for that "Well that was stupid to get upset about" thought to pop up.
It normally goes: Argument > WOW > Apology call
Panagiotis Jul 18th 2007 8:30AM
I once farmed 20 primal fires in 10 seconds... at least thats how it seemed in my mind hehe :P nuke nuke nuke tap eat, nuke nuke nuke tap eat :)
Boonie Jul 18th 2007 8:30AM
@4... yeah... been there... it's a little weirder in my house... it's argue > WoW > look next to me apologise... but yeah... wow helps calm in many ways... although much like a koan... it is frustrating to learn how to think in that mindset... but once you've got the mindset it is easier... still a challenge but easier.
In short I agree... WoW is meditative... with the added joy of DPS! Because some time you just want to smash/stab something/one!
Don Jul 18th 2007 8:33AM
I have spent the last 25 years playing computer games for the "blow off a little steam" meditation. I admit I like it when what I am killing looks less human, the better. (Aliens, I admit it, I like killing the aliens.)
Probably why I play primarily Alliance.
Zeitgeist Jul 18th 2007 8:56AM
Absolutely, grinding motes is a great way to phase out and there's always the added benefit of some greens and a stack of primals to look forward to when you're finished 'meditating'.
Although any repetative task qualifies I think, mowing the lawn included, personally I'd rather be grinding motes.
Lunada Jul 18th 2007 8:41AM
Farming isnt so much a relaxer for as killing other players after a stressful day. After a hard day, i come hoping the horde are attacking something or run arenas a couple of times. ^-^
Sylythn Jul 18th 2007 9:28AM
Leveling a weapon skill as a paladin! Now that's repetitive, calming, meditative action right there. :)
As for grinding - if I'm in the right mood going in, yeah I get into a Zen state with it. One thing just flows right into the next, no interruptions, just doin the grind thing. Other times I'm frustrated as hell at it and can't put up with it for more than 15 minutes.
Erica Olson Jul 18th 2007 9:29AM
To me, either grinding for materials or faction is BORING. I can only do it for about a half hour before I'm ready to scream from boredom.
I prefer to call these forays "shopping" as I only am doing it for the good of my toon or a friend.
If I've had a bad day and want to relax/unwind, my husband and I take a run through Strat or Scholo. Nothing better than to kill lots of undead in a a short amount of time.
dyna18 Jul 18th 2007 9:55AM
I always found fishing to be a very good way to relax and unwind... Also a good time to get all my networking done and chat up to some people on my friends list.
Fishing sure is a good example of the above post.
Medros Jul 18th 2007 1:19PM
I would have to say this is actually a very good point. I find that traveling aruond in a set path, with a set goal(grinding) is very relaxing, but I never saw it as meditative before this. Thanks!
Preebs Jul 18th 2007 11:06AM
I think this relates back to my days of playing Lineage 1 for hours on end, but I love to grind and solo play and hate to group. I don't even particularly like to quest. See in Lin 1 you had around 4 quests for the entire game. Also, there was no real auction house. You just grinded and grinded til you got to level 15, did the quest, grind to level 30, did the quest and so on. It was rather mundane then, but I find I follow the exact same script while playing WoW. I also catch up on the many podcasts I listen to while playing so it is my meditation.
Coherent Jul 18th 2007 1:13PM
No, WoW is not meditation for me. But it is entertainment, and treasured time.
Theserene Jul 18th 2007 3:53PM
Grinding in a set path and/or fishing.
If I'm stressed, I'll go do that for a while. The ogres in nagrand get a heck of a splatting the day after I've done a server upgrade at work...
Chris M Jul 18th 2007 5:34PM
Ugh. I wish I could be like most of you guys/gals.
When I come home from work (or get done working FROM home) I want to wind down with a book. Or POSSIBLY some TV if I'm desperate. I feel duty-bound to level up my new priest (granted, since he's 30 now, the STV curse has hit, and he's set for PLENTY of grinding).
I just can't find it relaxing. I'm a very on-edge tense person, and the slightest things tend to completely set me off. I'm borderline obsessive-compulsive about some things- like my grinding routine. Pull with Holy Fire, Vamp Embrace (if partied), SW:P, Mind Blast, PW:S (if not partied), Mind Flay x2, Mind Blast, Wand 'till dead.
If my little 'sequence' gets the slightest bit screwed up (like a resisted Mind Blast, or Mind Flay; or even worse- when my SW:P is resisted, and I've already put up Vamp Embrace) I fly off the handle.
Same thing goes for Counter Strike. I have my good days, and my bad days. More bad days than good days. When I get killed and I saw it coming, and could have prevented it or killed my enemy first and just failed at it- I get completely angry, get the urge to throw things, start yelling and swearing at myself... lol a temper tantrum, 20 years in the making.
Only thing I find relaxing about WOW is fishing. Some people ask me how I got fishing up so high without falling asleep, I tell them- I listen to music, occasionally my eyes shift up to the TV; things like that.
I can't chat while I grind- my guildmates know I'm -in the zone- I can't chat while I fish, the one time I miss the bobber because 'LAWLPWNT' the level 10 rogue wants gold, is the one time I roll a hordie to gank him.
Chris
Devilmachine Jul 18th 2007 6:54PM
I find grinding quite relaxing, especially with a beer, or whiskey or pipe in hand.