The Paradox of Doing Nothing

Knowing is not enough, we must do. But we do not like to always be doing. Even those of us called “workaholics” like, at times, to have some freedom to just be and do nothing. Doing nothing[1] then must have something promoting about it, despite the belief we may have that doing nothing is interfering. But, how do we know for sure? How do we know when our “doing nothing” may be promoting and when it may be interfering? The answer to this question is “paradox[2].” Yes, paradox, paradoxical thinking, paradoxical living, living the paradox. That is the answer to how we know when and how?

Let’s elaborate:

Let’s talk for a moment about the Information-Ascertainment Pathway. Even wisdom needs to be applied at the optimal time and the optimal way and that is known as Ascertainment. Ascertainment is the how and when of  Wisdom because it is the epitome, the living practice, and the embodiment of the principle of paradox, which is the fundamental principle of Reality-the fundamental principle of Life, itself.

If information and perception are a full combination of our instruments of body and mind; and if knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom are a full combination of mind and Reality; Ascertainment is purely Reality. This means paradoxical living is purely Reality-based; this means to know when doing nothing is promoting and when it is interfering requires being fully in Reality. Yet, there comes the paradox: In Reality, there can be no interference. There need not be promoting. Everything is perfect. On one hand, we are to be fully in Reality to know when doing nothing may be promoting or interfering; while on the other hand once we are fully in Reality we know and experience there is no such thing as promoting or interfering; rather everything is perfect-a paradoxical perfection.

How does one do nothing in Reality? This, again, is a paradox. For, in Reality, doing nothing is doing something; while doing something is doing nothing-there again lies the paradox. Once again, how does that work? Here is how:

1. First, note that in Reality, there is no such thing as “fully in Reality” we cannot be partially in Reality. Reality does not coexist with illusions. To use the term “fully” is to emphasize the point of being in Reality in every single aspect of our life. For Reality is absolute. Having said that, we can shift, be in Reality, at that moment, in that particular area of our life, and while that is not Reality in full, it is Reality in part – another paradox that is best understood by experiencing it
2. Once we are “fully” in Reality, we are in full awareness
3. Being in full awareness means we experience everything as already here, present, with us, and all there is to do is to reappropriate it
4. “All there is to do” is where the paradox lies. What we do is reappropriate that which is already here at our awareness. To do so we are to simply intend and make use of our thought-image, and in Reality, this will suffice. This is all there is to do; while this is doing nothing; while this is at the same time doing something.

Let’s contrast that with when being outside Reality.

When outside Reality, doing is using one’s body, one’s force, perhaps, one’s mind, at best, but partially, because it is outside Reality; and this then means, not with much power. As a result, we are driven to compensate[3]. We compensate with action, more action, further action; with effort, more effort, further effort, all of which create tension, resistance, doubt, and fear, which then call for more compensation, and the cycle continues.

What does all this then mean? Here’s the answer:

1. Make it the absolute priority to be in Reality
2. Use Breath Awareness Practice and Sensation Awareness Practice to eradicate as many blocks as possible that would impede our being “fully” in Reality
3. Live your life from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed as if you were “fully” in Reality, using every single opportunity throughout the day to shift
4. Allow each of your results, habits, behaviors, feelings, thoughts, or images, to be the guide and an invitation for you to shift
5. Know that this is your passport to being at the state where doing nothing is truly the same as doing something and vice versa, for you are truly in Reality.

Until then, you’ll likely find yourself compensating for your failure to be “fully” in Reality. But, if we follow the above five steps and live accordingly, it will not take long before we find our highest thought-image transform into our desired results. For all we will have done is reappropriate that which has always been there all along. All this, we will have accomplished solely because we have fully engaged in Breath Awareness Practice and Sensation Awareness Practice, regularly, frequently, and intensely – A process that is well worth it.

[1] The actual health benefits of doing ‘nothing’. SCL Health. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2020/02/the-actual-health-benefits-of-doing-nothing/

[2] Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, September 11). Paradox. Wikipedia. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox

[3] Cherry, K. (2022, April 13). Why people use compensation as a defense mechanism. Verywell Mind. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-compensation-2794972