In July I was working with a two people on an out-of-town assignment.  One of them was playing a game on his phone called Pokemon Go.  I remember the Pokemon cartoon when I was growing up, but I didn’t know that a game had come out for smartphones.  One person said it was great, the other said it was stupid and a waste of time.

In the past, I would have agreed that it was a waste of time; however, in practicing Dhamma, I understand that there are two sides to everything (i.e. good and bad).  In contemplating it, I saw the following:

Bad – Waste of time.  It’s a game and distracts us from what we need to do.  It is easy to get obsessed with finding Pokemon.  There have been stories of people crashing cars, falling off cliffs, getting robbed, and even getting cut in the face because someone thought they were filming them.

Good –  You can interact with other Pokemon players, you exercise because you have to walk to hatch eggs, you explore places because Poke stops are located at businesses, historical sites and art sites (like public sculptures).

One of the Buddhism classes I attended recently talked about converting worldly wisdom (like how to play Pokemon or the inherent value to playing Pokemon) to Dhamma wisdom.

Two sides to everything – in looking at the Pokemon game, I understand that there are two sides to the merits or lack of merits in playing the game.  In life, when I encounter a situation, I need to look at both sides.  I recently saw a project on kick starter.  In the world of mechanical wristwatches, one of the most expensive and sought after mechanisms is a tourbillion (you can look it up).  High end watches with this complication can cost upwards of $100,000.  A decade ago I heard that Chinese companies produced an inexpensive version.  And two days ago I saw an Australian version for $1,500.  I contemplated buying one (I use to be obsessed with watches, but now it is somewhat under control, though there are times, like this one, where I am tempted).  I read the kick starter pitch and looked at the watch.  I had to examine the good and the bad associated with the watch.  Basically, if I got it,

• Good – I would have a tourbillion!!!!  It would be a great conversation piece when I hang out with other watch enthusiast.  It’s a great dress watch.  And the price was right.

• Bad – I would be worried about scratching or dropping it.  If I needed to get the watch serviced (since it’s mechanical), I would first have to find someone qualified to service it (i.e. a watch maker) and secondly, it would probably cost more that $1,500 to service the watch.  If I wore it, I would worry about it if I rode my scooter because of the vibration.

For me there was too much bad associated with owning such a watch that I decided no to buy it.  Prior to practicing Dhamma, I wouldn’t have hesitated.  I would have bought it.  Seeing both sides has helped me analyze everything from buying t-shirts to making life decisions.  I still get obsessed with things, but not as much as before.