Busy doing nothing - the art of being

I have a body, I am not my body. I have a job, I am not my job. I have a diagnosis, I am not my diagnosis. I have an mind, I am not my mind.

We, as humans, tend to identify and attach to 'things' like our body or job, illness or intelligence. We look outside of our selves to identify who we are and what our position is in the world.

In Buddhism and Taoism the great teaching is non-attachment, the letting go of everything in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. In the beginning of the Tao de Ching it is written, "The Tao that can be named is not the Tao." As soon as we identify something and name it, we attach to it some relevance. To live in the great mystery without the need to give it or any part of it a name is where the path to awakening truly lies.

Which takes us to the concept of being and not doing. What if, just for one hour a week, we stopped 'doing' anything? It's not quite possible because even if you sat down in a chair for an hour and only breathed, by definition you are doing those things. However in only doing those things you have stopped all the other 'doing' that is keeping you separated from the great mystery or the Tao or God (find a word you like).

Sit somewhere comfortable, not too comfortable we don't want you snoring, and stay there for one hour. No music, no books, no people or pets, only you and you. Not with any intention other than to sit still and do nothing for 1 hour.  I can feel the discomfort in your mind as you think about the possibility of this. The thoughts of how busy you are and how you couldn't just 'waste' an hour sitting doing nothing. I invite you to think, if this is your story, who told you sitting doing nothing was a waste of time? Maybe your Mother or Father, maybe a school teacher. Is that something you want to make true for you today? It's your choice, but if you have never tried sitting still and doing nothing for an hour how do you know what value lies in it?

I do know, having practised this for many years, that to start with the ego mind will feel like it is shouting in your head about what a fool you are and how pointless an exercise this is. My answer? "Thank you for sharing, I know this is different but this body is not going to move until the hour is up so you can say what you like."

Once the ego quiets down, which it will, your mind will drift here and there, it is the nature of the mind to think. Allow it to go where ere it goes. You don't have any intention other than to be, remember, so BE. No judgement, no direction, no where to get to. JUST BE.

Like all things in life, it's a practice, if you made an hour a week to practice being you will find you become more focussed in the rest of your life. This is different to meditation, it is not the intention to clear the mind and get to a Zen like place of peace. It is simply about not doing and only being.

Gradually you will find that inspiration starts to take over when your body knows it's time to sit still for an hour and you will discover many new things you could do and many new ways of doing things. This is a great way to practice the art of allowing, of letting go of attachment and living the inspired life.

Today I take time to be. I sit still and allow the world to drift by. I know that I have all that I need within me and I allow that to reveal itself in the perfect way.

In Love. J xx