Zen and the Art of Binge-Watching: Spiritual Lessons from Popular TV Shows

Mary Beth Hazeldine
4 min readJan 8, 2024
Picture of a television in a living room
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Who knew that your couch and TV could be the unexpected teachers of Zen? In the era of endless streaming, I’ve discovered that my binge-watching habit is more than a guilty pleasure; it’s a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom. So, let’s swap our meditation cushions for comfy couches and dive into the surprising spiritual insights from our favorite TV shows.

1. Embracing the Present Moment: “The Office”

Remember the episode in “The Office” when Michael Scott burned his foot on a George Foreman Grill? Pure comedy gold. But amidst my laughter, I realized something profound: Michael’s constant shenanigans and bizarre office life are all about living in the now. He finds joy in the ordinary, teaching us to appreciate the little things. It’s a lesson in mindfulness, wrapped in a cringe-worthy Dundie Award acceptance speech.

2. The Power of Transformation: “Breaking Bad”

My jaw dropped watching Walter White transform from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher to a notorious criminal mastermind in “Breaking Bad.” While I’m not advocating for cooking meth as a spiritual practice, Walt’s journey is a stark reminder of our capacity for change — a process both terrifying and fascinating. It’s like…

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Mary Beth Hazeldine
Mary Beth Hazeldine

Written by Mary Beth Hazeldine

Chief Inspiration Officer, Spiritual Psychologist, Hypnotherapist, Writer, Chef, Dog Lover, Line Dancer, Ex-Banker, MBA— marybeth@marybethhazeldine.com