user11541: Whenever there is a problem we socialize. When we are sick we go to a doctor. When we are hungry we go to a cook. When we want to laugh we go to a movie.
My question is : are these social interactions always helpful in solving our problems ? Is "if problem then socialize with right people" formula always helpful ?

user254: Not always:

If you're sick and go to someone who's not a doctor, who's incompetent or a thief, that won't help (except perhaps as a placebo)
If you're sick with an incurable (untreatable) illness and go to a doctor, that won't help (well it might help with managing symptoms and explaining what's happening)

The Sigalovada Sutta (DN 31) details long lists of examples and differences, between "good socialising" and "bad socialising" for lay people.
I think Buddhism includes two themes:

Therefore, Ananda, be islands unto yourselves, refuges unto yourselves, seeking no external refuge; with the Dhamma as your island, the Dhamma as your refuge, seeking no other refuge.
Maha-parinibbana Sutta (DN 16)

and:

As he was sitting there, Ven. Ananda said to the Blessed One, "This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie."
"Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, & comrades, he can be expected to develop & pursue the noble eightfold path.
Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2)


11541: <p>Whenever there is a problem we socialize. When we are sick we go to a doctor. When we are hungry we go to a cook. When we want to laugh we go to a movie.</p>

<p>My question is : are these social interactions always helpful in solving our problems ? Is "if problem then socialize with right people" formula always helpful ?</p>
 254: <p>Not always:</p>
<ul>
<li>If you're sick and go to someone who's not a doctor, who's incompetent or a thief, that won't help (except perhaps as a placebo)</li>
<li>If you're sick with an incurable (untreatable) illness and go to a doctor, that won't help (well it might help with managing symptoms and explaining what's happening)</li>
</ul>
<p>The <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.31.0.ksw0.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sigalovada Sutta (DN 31)</a> details long lists of examples and differences, between &quot;good socialising&quot; and &quot;bad socialising&quot; for lay people.</p>
<p>I think Buddhism includes two themes:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Therefore, Ananda, be islands unto yourselves, refuges unto yourselves, seeking no external refuge; with the Dhamma as your island, the Dhamma as your refuge, seeking no other refuge.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Maha-parinibbana Sutta (DN 16)</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>and:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>As he was sitting there, Ven. Ananda said to the Blessed One, &quot;This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.&quot;</p>
<p>&quot;Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, &amp; comrades, he can be expected to develop &amp; pursue the noble eightfold path.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn45/sn45.002.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2)</a></p>
</blockquote>
