Can you carry out volitionary behaviors without sense desire or ill will?

[Dhammapardon]

Good day,

Can you do things like go to work, gossip and joke with family, watch a tv show or music without sense desire or ill will?
If so what part of the activity is the sense desire and ill will and what part of the activity is without those things?

Thanks

[santa100]

Good day,

Can you do things like go to work, gossip and joke with family, watch a tv show or music without sense desire or ill will?
If so what part of the activity is the sense desire and ill will and what part of the activity is without those things?

Thanks

If one goes to work and his work involves simple repetitive tasks, then it might be possible to maintain mindfulness and prevent lust or ill will from arising. But for gossips, jokes, and/or entertainments, unless one's already attained one of the Four Fruits, it'd be much harder not to let lust/ill will to get involved. That's why the precepts for those in training (the five, eight, and full precepts) include gossips, jokes, and entertainments in their list to be abstained from.

[confusedlayman]

if no sense desire and no ill will, then one think of dhamma only if he is not in jhana.

[Ontheway]

I think this is impossible for Puthujjanas.

[SarathW]

Good day,

Can you do things like go to work, gossip and joke with family, watch a tv show or music without sense desire or ill will?
If so what part of the activity is the sense desire and ill will and what part of the activity is without those things?

Thanks

Sense desire and ill will be fully eliminated only by Anagami.
When you are in Jhana they are suppressed.
So it is possible for you to have a enjoyable life as a layman.

[Dhammapardon]

I see, so like trying to play in the water while staying dry. The playing almost always means to get wet. If one strives to be dry, they don't think of playing in the water because if they play in the water they likely get wet.

If one strives to be without sense desire or ill will they don't think of gossips, jokes, and entertainments. If they play in them, they may get sense desires or ill wills.

Thank you for the observations

[mjaviem]

I see, so like trying to play in the water while staying dry. The playing almost always means to get wet. If one strives to be dry, they don't think of playing in the water because if they play in the water they likely get wet.

If one strives to be without sense desire or ill will they don't think of gossips, jokes, and entertainments. If they play in them, they may get sense desires or ill wills.

Thank you for the observations

I see it more like playing with fire. You don't play with fire because you might get burned.

You don't watch TV or listen to music because you might covet or disgust what's being played.

[Dhammapardon]

I see it more like playing with fire. You don't play with fire because you might get burned.

You don't watch TV or listen to music because you might covet or disgust what's being played.

That's a good one, succinct and easy to remember.