What is leisure?
For many, the word brings to mind vacations, naps, even enjoying a quiet cup of coffee. It feels slightly self-indulgent, and yet much needed. In fact, we would quite like to have more time for it. Somehow, no matter how much time we make for hobbies, early bedtimes, or holidays, it is never enough. We face the work at hand, whether it’s a job, raising kids, volunteering at church, or studying a course, and feel ourselves sigh as we face the grindstone again.
In his essay Leisure, the Basis of Culture, philosopher Josef Pieper turns this concept of leisure on its head, showing his readers that leisure is more than a break from work. In fact, if we view it that way, we will always feel selfish when we make time for it, and quickly worn out when we return to our jobs. Instead, leisure is an intrinsically valuable attitude of the spirit and a powerful Christian witness in today’s frenetic, work-centric culture.
Leisure, the Basis of Culture is not long, but it is provocative – to the point that I had to write out my reflections on the book as blog posts! You can find the links below, or get more information on my study guide!
Work and Leisure as a Stay at Home Mom
As a young, single adult, my hope for my future was pretty clear: meet a charming man, get married, have kids, and stay at home to care for them. Insp ...
From Distraction to Leisure: Recapturing Peace in a Frenetic Culture
After my first son was born, I noticed something changed at church: I could no longer pay attention to the sermon. While disappointing, it wasn’t part ...
Cool, Calm, and Contemplative: Deep Rest for Tired Moms
I have been blessed with babies and toddlers who were excellent nappers. Having two children under the age of two was very intense, but even in the ea ...
Finding Freedom from Work for Work’s Sake
Whenever I think of chains, as in prison chains, I remember a scene in Disney’s Robin Hood: Prince John has been arresting all the animals of the fore ...
Impractical Faith: Worship is Sacrifice and Celebration
Sometimes I get the feeling that as Christians, we often look for ‘practicality’ as a way to determine the merit of an event or activity. A good sermo ...
Other Posts on Rest
You my also enjoy a few other posts I have written on the topic of rest and leisure.
Mothers need more than tips, tricks, and facts.
‘Mom, where are my socks?’‘I can’t find my t-shirt.’‘Where did my screwdriver go?’‘Mommy, drink?’I always thought my mom’s ability to know the locati ...
Five Ways Mom Can Take Five Without Her Phone
I come to the same place at least a few times a day. A place where I want to temporarily ‘check out’ of my current circumstances. It’s a combination o ...
Brain Science, Our Phones, and the Fight for Leisure
One of my big reasons for homeschooling is to keep my children as intrinsically motivated as possible in their learning, something I’ve personally str ...
Leisure, the Basis of Culture Around the Internet
If you’re looking for more details about this essay, the Schole Sisters have published a chapter-by-chapter paraphrase of the essay!
Chapter Two: Part One, Part Two, Part Three
Chapter Five: Part One
