“It is not wise to dash about.
Shortening the breath causes much stress.
Use too much energy, and
You will soon be exhausted.
That is not the Natural Way.
Whatever works against this Way
Will not last long.”From the Tao Te Ching.
Far From Still
In this modern world, activity and movement are the default modes, if not with our bodies then at least with our minds, with our attention. We rush around all day, doing things, talking, emailing, sending and reading messages, clicking from browser tab to the next, one link to the next.
We are always on, always connected, always thinking, always talking. There is no time for stillness — and sitting in front of a frenetic computer all day, and then in front of the hyperactive television, doesn’t count as stillness.
I’ve been as guilty as any of getting wrapped up in activity and movement as a default and leaving no time for stillness. It’s unbelieveable how addictive it can become and how draining it can be.
Not All Change is Good Change
This [connectedness] comes at a cost: we lose that time for contemplation, for observing and listening. We lose peace. And worse yet: all the rushing around is often counterproductive. I know, in our society action is all-important — inaction is seen as lazy and passive and unproductive. However, sometimes too much action is worse than no action at all. You can run around crazily, all sound and fury, but get nothing done. Or you can get a lot done — but nothing important. Or you can hurt things with your actions, make things worse than if you’d stayed still.
You can’t know what you really want, what you need, or how you feel about a relationship until you sit still and quietly listen. I can personally attest to how counterproductive action can be while under the influence of this fevered pace and frenzied connectedness.
Many of the changes I’ve made under the influence are things that I probably wouldn’t have done if I’d spent the time to be still before jumping into decisions. In an effort to make myself feel calmer or feel better, I rushed into things. A few of my previous decisions have been truly contrary to what I’ve since realized I really want. In retrospect, I wish I’d just stayed still.
Is This How You Want to Spend Your Life?
Being still isn’t something we’re used to. Take a moment to think about how you spend your days — at work, after work, getting ready for work, evenings and weekends. Are you constantly rushing around? Are you constantly reading and answering messages, checking on the news and the latest stream of information? Are you always trying to Get Lots of Things Done, ticking off tasks from your list like a machine, rushing through your schedule?
The answer for me is an unequiviocal no! That is not how I want to spend my life. Stepping back and limiting this kind of frenzied connectedness is one of the biggest changes I’ve made in my life lately. Sometimes I do better than others, but I’ve made a commitment to consciously managing it. I’ve seen a marked increase in my happiness (and hopefully my decision making ability) since I began to do nothing and be still. Try it. I highly recommend it.
This post is made possible largely by Leo Babauta from Zen Habits and his uncopyright. Thanks, Leo! The original post was called Be Still. The excerpts from the original post are noted above in block quotes.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post and even better reminder. It’s funny how “still” can be so unusual, that it’s almost uncomfortable – in a good way. That said, guess it’s time to put down my iPhone, turn off the tv and go to sleep.
Sara – Agreed. It can be almost uncomfortable at times, like silence or a lull in a conversation. Thanks for the comment!
Angela
People are over saturated with information, and the pressure to be busy bodies. Even on vacations, most Americans cram into their two weeks (which I found to be way to little time) as many events as possible, leaving more worn out than when they left in the first place. they view this as “having as much fun as they can” but what is so fun about stressing yourself out???? Europeans when they go on vacation, they do nothing, and rest. They recover from the stresses of everyday life, and are able to return to work far less stressed.
I enjoy your colummns. Keep ‘em coming.
So true Steve! While I want to see as much of the world as possible, I try not to do too much in any one vacation. If you run from place to place, you miss so much and you’re exhausted. Leisure and stillness are almost foreign concepts these days.
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll definitely keep them coming!
Ahh… stillness. Thanks for the writing because it reminded me that even when I’m on my couch “doing nothing” the TV is usually on, my netbook is alerting me to emails and my phone is usually close to me receiving texts… no wonder I don’t feel rested. I’ve decided I need to take time to turn these things off because I’m never really alone with them on.
Last night I turned off all such bits of technology and practiced lunar yoga. I had almost forgotten what it feels like to have quiet and stillness… and it was beautiful! My head cleared and my heart lightened. Now I must remember to disconnect to be able to connect.
It’s really hard to get away from it all for long… Concerted effort is inevitably required. When I do make the effort, I definitely reap the rewards.
Sounds like lunar yoga might be a nice compliment to stillness! I’ll have to check it out!
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