The Practice of
Doing Nothing
A short exercise for a direct experience of peace.Step 1
Let go of expectations
Release your expectations of what may or may not happen over the next few moments
Step 2
Let go of the body
Relax any physical effort. Allow the unconscious processes to occur as they will, and breathe normally. Just for now, pause any conscious movement of your body, and stop internally doing anything. There is no need to create any further action within your body. Notice if there is an impulse to try and do the next thing or engage with what may happen next. Just for this moment, be exactly where you are, and within your body, stop all effort.
Step 3
Let go of the mind
The mind will continue to create thoughts, but just for a moment, let them be. Don't follow the second or third thought in the chain. Let the first thought come and then have nothing to do with it. You don't need to think right now, so just let them be there, but give yourself space to do nothing with them.
Step 4
Notice reactivity and release judgement
We all have elements of reactivity in which we judge our experience and either grasp it or push it away. Both of these reactions are doing something. Remember, right now, you are doing nothing. Doing nothing means accepting the experience as it is, and not changing anything about it. So right now, let everything be.
Step 5
Continue to do nothing for a few moments
Getting to this point may take a few rounds of practice, because you may end up starting to do something again. There's no need to be concerned, this is a natural habit we have, and it will lessen over time. Each time you notice yourself starting to do something, drop back, stop, and just do nothing for a moment.
Eventually, you may notice that there is a little more space within your experience. Notice the quality of that space, the feeling of less, and let it do the work for you while you sit back and cease all action.
Try this practice for the next ten minutes, with your eyes open or closed, whichever you prefer.
REFLECTIONNotice that there can be things happening while you do nothing. Who is the one doing nothing?
CURIOUS TO EXPLORE FURTHER?
Self-enquiry is an ongoing exploration. If this practice has sparked something within you, discover how you can deepen your understanding through personalised guidance with Mitch.