Is the Temple a distraction for you sometimes?

I have been realizing of late that the Temple (and other Force realist/Jedi/Sith sites) seems to be more of a distraction than a help for me on my "path." I find myself getting pulled into discussions about things I am passionate about instead of actually following my passions and doing things with them.

Does anyone else feel this way? Do you feel like these long drawn-out discussions of philosophy and whatnot are distracting you from making real progress? Or is this just me?

I've never really thought about it, probably because I'm not really into discussions about Philosophy and other fields (I'm not really active in the forum xD), and I'm always trying to find the perfect way to understand the Force.
But it's an interesting question, and for me it's a mix of "I really don't know" and "probably nah"

No.

I don't find it a distraction at all, in fact, it is a breath of fresh air to my daily duties. If you are using it wisely (read sermons, post in the topics, do your lessons, etc), then I don't see it as a distraction. However, if you are just sitting at your computer at work and just mindlessly clicking around, then it can definitely be a distraction.

If I find myself doing something like that, I leave and re-focus on my work...but that's pretty seldom.

If it is distracting you from obligations to family, work, etc, then it may be time to step back.

If it is conversations that offer an opportunity to learn and grow by listening to others, then it can be beneficial.

You need to decide what is most beneficial at the moment and focus your efforts there. Sometimes that means I take a step away from the public side and focus on my own study. Sometimes I dive into the business of the Temple and try to help with the bureaucracy of running this place. Sometimes I get into philosophical debates in the forum.

It comes down to listening to your own intuition. If something feels out of balance, it probably is.

It can be HUGELY distracting at times. I think there is an overall tendency we have as humans to seek instant gratification, and though being online here isn't as evidently destructive as smoking or binge eating, there still is the potential for addiction. Simon Sinek talks about our addiction to social media and how it uses the same neurological pathways as other addicitions.

I usually need to keep myself in check to avoid becoming too involved in discussions here, sometimes I do actually stop being productive because of it.

I've felt this way sometimes before, but mainly from a stand point of not having anything meaningful to contribute. I would spend time looking into what others were talking about and not really engaging in understanding my own path. Some things were a waste of time, but others were meaningful and I learned a lot in the process. I second what Senan wrote about deciding whats important and focusing there. It makes the experience of this place more meaningful and personal

Just to clarify, I did not mean to say that I take no benefit from the Temple. I absolutely do. It's just that I am finding that it is little more than a distraction for me these days and was curious if anyone else felt the same at times.

Don't get me wrong, distractions can be wonderful things when used in moderation. :side:

In the end, your focus determines your reality. If you focus on how this place distracts you, it will come off as a distraction.

Only when I want it to be a distraction.