“Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.” – Lao Tzu
This is something I know absolutely nothing about. It feels like my
whole life has been in overdrive. Even during long meditation retreats, the
focus has always been on being present—now, now, now. Even in what’s supposed
to be retirement, my time has been filled with travelling, writing, studying,
participating in various projects, and exploring AI. My therapist has suggested
I try doing nothing occasionally.
So, I read articles and watched videos, but nothing resonated. Most recommendations for "doing nothing" seem to involve some form of meditation or mindfulness exercises.
Then, I stumbled upon this video. The Dutch have a word for intentionally doing nothing: niksen, or "nothing-ing." This verb means not engaging in anything productive or purposeful.
This concept gets closer to what I’m seeking but still doesn’t fully align with how I envision "the art of doing nothing."
The real question is whether I’m searching for "the art of" something or simply the experience of "doing nothing." The artist in me yearns to explore and create a new art form. What would the art of doing nothing feel like? How would those feelings be expressed? Would they emerge spontaneously, be choreographed, or perhaps take a ritualistic form?
Meanwhile, the engineer in me wants to understand what "doing nothing" truly means. I recall learning in quantum physics that the absence of matter creates a hole—an entity with its own distinct properties of emptiness. That realization was a highlight of my learning journey. So, what does "doing nothing" actually feel like?
So, I read articles and watched videos, but nothing resonated. Most recommendations for "doing nothing" seem to involve some form of meditation or mindfulness exercises.
Then, I stumbled upon this video. The Dutch have a word for intentionally doing nothing: niksen, or "nothing-ing." This verb means not engaging in anything productive or purposeful.
This concept gets closer to what I’m seeking but still doesn’t fully align with how I envision "the art of doing nothing."
The real question is whether I’m searching for "the art of" something or simply the experience of "doing nothing." The artist in me yearns to explore and create a new art form. What would the art of doing nothing feel like? How would those feelings be expressed? Would they emerge spontaneously, be choreographed, or perhaps take a ritualistic form?
Meanwhile, the engineer in me wants to understand what "doing nothing" truly means. I recall learning in quantum physics that the absence of matter creates a hole—an entity with its own distinct properties of emptiness. That realization was a highlight of my learning journey. So, what does "doing nothing" actually feel like?
Perhaps the art of doing nothing isn't something to be understood but something to be experienced. Maybe it’s not about defining or mastering it but about surrendering to stillness and allowing space for thoughts, sensations, and moments to simply exist. In embracing this, I might finally uncover the quiet beauty in simply being.
No comments:
Post a Comment