The bliss of non-doing

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Amrit Sadhana [1]

It simply happened to me. While working long hours on the computer I would suddenly stop and watch my posture: my shoulders tight, the brow furrowed, the neck cramped, the back curved with tension, knees locked and the feet on the floor heavy as if carrying some weight. I was surprised at myself, why am I punishing my body unnecessarily?

Just by consciously recognising these patterns the reverse occurred: the mind was engaged in the act while my body remained at ease, yet energised. I used only the required amount of physical effort, the least amount of muscular tension while the whole body was in flow with all the joints free of compression. My breath was seamlessly coordinated.
Once I experienced the joy of working in this fashion I could spread it over every activity: riding the bicycle, cooking or listening.
Just as suddenly I had stumbled upon this experience I came across another word: the Chinese term Wu Wei, which means non-doing or effortless effort.
The idea of non-doing has vanished from today’s world obsessed with doing. Non-doing is looked down upon as laziness. Our obsession with doing is reflected even in our greetings. When we meet someone we say, “How do you do?” Why not say, “How do you not do?” It may sound absurd but at least it will remind people of what they miss in their lives: the precious moments of non-doing.
Non-doing does not mean being lazy or inactive, it is a creative quietitude; it means leaving nothing undone before you get into the space of non-doing. Osho expresses it beautifully, “When you are in a non-doing state, you are full of energy, you are so radiant. The energy goes on welling up, and goes on cleansing you, as if you are under a shower, fresh, or like as you have taken a bath just now; sharp, intelligent, aware.”
Try to embrace more and more wu wei in your activities. Doing much without “trying” to do it. It is the way the trees grow, it is the way the planets rotate around the sun or the rivers flow. Non-doing produces a state of emotional peace and physical release. It is an action that does not involve struggle or excessive effort. The more you relax, the more you feel yourself open, vulnerable; the more you are less rigid, you are more flexible. Applying the principle of non-doing to every aspect of life can transform the most habitual unconscious mundane daily action into an experience of calm presence, alertness, and well-being.
You can also read this article in a state of non-doing: the mind absorbing the content while the body remains at ease, in a quiet repose yet energised.