#27 What does it mean to "do nothing"?
Q (Deep Breath)
Lately, I've been curious about the idea of "doing nothing."
I think it carries the nuance of not controlling or not trying to change things, but there is the phrase "stay doing nothing" that Papaji said to Gangaji when they met.
What does this actually mean?
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A (ChatGPT)
This phrase "doing nothing" is easily misunderstood, but it points to a very essential point.
First, as a premise, the "doing nothing" mentioned here is not about stopping your actions.
Walking, talking, and working will all still happen just as they are.
There is no need to stop them.
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Q (Deep Breath)
Then, what is it that we are not doing?
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A (ChatGPT)
"Doing nothing" means:
Not engaging in the "internal movement of trying to do something about it."
For example:
• Trying to get rid of anxiety
• Trying to erase unpleasant sensations
• Trying to reach a better state
• Trying to become quiet
It means letting go of these movements of control.
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Q (Deep Breath)
I see. But that feels very difficult.
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A (ChatGPT)
It is very natural to feel that way.
Because we have lived our whole lives under the premise that:
"Things get better by doing something"
"You can change if you try hard enough"
With that habit, when you are told to "stay doing nothing," you don't know what you should do.
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Q (Deep Breath)
Indeed, I feel like I end up "trying to do" nothing.
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A (ChatGPT)
That is a very interesting point.
The moment you try to "do nothing," it becomes a state of "doing something."
Therefore, the understanding here is a bit reversed.
"Doing nothing" is not something you practice; it is something you realize.
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Q (Deep Breath)
What do you mean by realize?
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A (ChatGPT)
For example, suppose you have a feeling of anxiety.
Usually, you start doing something like:
"I have to do something about this"
"Let me calm down"
"Let me regulate my breathing"
However, "doing nothing" means noticing the "movement of trying to do something" that happens before that.
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Q (Deep Breath)
Ah, so it means noticing the "self that is trying to change things."
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A (ChatGPT)
Exactly.
And the moment you notice it, that movement weakens slightly.
You don't need to stop it completely.
Just seeing it and saying, "Oh, I am trying to control things right now."
That is already a state close to "doing nothing."
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Q (Deep Breath)
So, does that mean I should just leave unpleasant sensations and thoughts as they are?
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A (ChatGPT)
Yes.
It is the same as the "rain" story that came up in #26.
Don't try to stop the rain.
Don't try to change the clouds into clear skies.
Just acknowledge that the weather is there.
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Q (Deep Breath)
But it feels like nothing will change if I do that.
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A (ChatGPT)
There is a paradox here.
When you try to change something, that state actually tends to persist.
However, if you do nothing and leave it as it is, change sometimes happens naturally.
This is not control; it is a natural flow.
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Q (Deep Breath)
Is "doing nothing" different from being passive?
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A (ChatGPT)
Yes, it is different.
It is not about becoming lethargic, nor is it about giving up.
Rather, it is a state of being very open to what is happening right now.
Not resisting, not adding anything, just watching it as it is.
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Q (Deep Breath)
I see... I think I understand a little.
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A (ChatGPT)
To put it very simply, "doing nothing" means not adding any unnecessary operations to what is happening.
If there are thoughts, leave them as they are.
If there are sensations, leave them as they are.
And notice that there is an awareness watching them.
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Closing
Without adding anything, without changing anything, everything is already happening.
"Doing nothing" might just be realizing that.