“Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.†~Lao Tzu
Post written by Leo Babauta @ http://satorination.com
Stop being busy and your job is half done.
Think about how busy we are, and how it has become a way of bragging: I’m so busy, I must be important.
“I have a million things to do! I never have time for anything! I can’t slow down — I’m too busy.†This is thought to be a good thing in a society where we must be productive, active, occupied.
But it’s a fool’s game. Busy is simply noise, action without meaning, lots of little unimportant things rather than a few important ones.
Stop being busy. Just decide to stop, today.
Now you’re halfway done. You’ve decided to slow down, and to focus on what’s important. All of a sudden, your schedule clears up, and your to-to list shrinks down to almost nothing.
Now you just have one or two things to do, instead of a million. You clear distractions, and focus.
But how can you stop being busy? It’s a simple change of mindset: you say, I’m not going to be busy anymore. Even if you have little control over your schedule, you can decide that you’ll slow down, and pick the important things to work on, and if necessary, talk to your boss about doing this. If you control your schedule, you can drop all the busywork, and just pick the high-impact tasks.
It might seem impossible, but once you decide to put an End to Busy, you have taken the biggest step.
You can now make time for work you’re passionate about, for work that matters. You can make time for solitude, for creating. You can make time for contemplation, for yourself.
Stop being busy, and your job is half done.
“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.†~Jane Austen
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Much Ado about Nothing
Most of human activity is oriented around something, some thing. Externally, we may focus on material things, relationships, money, politics, and the like. Internally, the focus may be on feelings, thoughts, beliefs, identity, health, or—with particular force—things we like or don’t like about ourselves. During almost every waking moment, our thoughts are concerned with something. We may take it for granted that this is as it should be.
But we are often not comfortable within our crowded minds. When we speak of “wanting space,†for example, we express a wish not to be oppressed by people, obligations, and concerns. When the mind is preoccupied with thoughts, feelings, reactions, and judgments it can feel claustrophobic. When the mind is calm and spacious it can be relaxed and wise, even with a thought that may feel oppressive when the mind is tight.
There is much value in nothing. For example, an important element of a room is the empty space between the things in it. A room will have a very different atmosphere depending on
the size and shape of its space. Four people in an elevator feel very different from four people in a cathedral because of the different amount of nothing surrounding them.
Buddhist practice could be described as a practice of creating greater space in our minds and hearts and thus a more spacious and gracious mental environment. We can bring this about, in part, by appreciating nothing. In fact, nothing may be more precious than most somethings.
For example, having few possessions can bring happiness. A classic Buddhist story tells of a king who renounced his wealth and status and became a monk. His fellow monks were
skeptical that he would stay ordained without his accustomed luxury and comfort. Soon after the ordination, the monks were meditating in a grove of trees and the new monk exclaimed loudly, “Oh, what bliss, what bliss!†The other monks concluded that he had decided to return to his life of wealth. However, when they asked him why he exclaimed with joy, he replied, “When I was a king, I had guards posted inside and outside the palace, inside and outside the city, within and without the countryside. But now, on going alone to a
forest, I am without fear, not agitated, confident, and unafraid. This is why I exclaimed, ‘What Bliss! What Bliss!’â€
The example of the Buddhist monastic shows us the possibility of finding happiness and peace of mind with few possessions. Monastics haven’t tied their happiness to things; if anything, they are more interested in having nothing. This doesn’t mean that we lay people have to give up our money and possessions, but that we not expect these to be the anchor for our happiness.
Another area where an appreciation of nothingness can bring us happiness and peace is in the domain of identity. Asserting, defending, resisting, or denying identity or self-definition
can produce unnecessary suffering. When I was in college, I did art because I loved it. One day I decided that I was an “artist.†That was the day I stopped doing art. When I had
no idea of myself as an artist, expressing myself through art was natural and enjoyable. But my attempts to live the identity of “artist†inhibited that natural expression. All too often, when we enter a situation playing the identity game we suffer or cause others to suffer. Furthermore, we may limit the creative potential for something new to arise from the situation. On the other hand, to be without the need for any particular identity may free us from the compulsions of ego.
Yet another area where an appreciation of nothingness is important is preconceived ideas or judgments. Our attachment to our ideas can be as stultifying as our attachment to identity. An important element of mindfulness practice is developing “beginner’s mind,†moving through life ready to see every situation anew.
The Buddhist path can be described as an emptying of ourselves of fears, inhibitions, cravings, and other inner causes of suffering. We empty ourselves of our attachments to posses- sions, our images of ourselves, and our opinions and ideas. We empty ourselves of the need to plan anxiously, to fret, and to obsess. Ultimately, we even empty ourselves of the need to attain something in our practice such as some wonderful spiritual experience. We discover how little we need to be happy and at peace.
Another story of the importance of nothing is the famous parable of the raft, in which the Buddha described how we should relate to the teachings. The Buddha said to his monks, “Suppose a person comes to a river and there is no bridge. The person builds a raft and crosses safely to the other side. Once across, the person picks up the raft and continues the journey into the forest carrying it. What do you think—is this person using the raft appropriately?†The monks replied, “No, sir.†The Buddha then continued, saying, “The Dharma is similar to the raft, it is for the purpose of crossing over, not for the purpose of grasping.â€
In some important ways Buddhist practice leaves us with nothing. Practice is sometimes described as “being nobody, going nowhere, having nothing.†An arahat or enlightened person is described as someone who “has nothing.†In discovering how to be free from clinging, fear, and the need for identity, we learn to be happy with nothing. It is as if happiness is our natural state that is finally revealed when we stop fixating on all the somethings.
Being nobody and having nothing doesn’t mean that we are passive or uncaring. Compassion and the wisdom to act effectively can work through us unimpeded when we are free of attachments to identity, opinions, and possessions.
Wonderful things can happen when we appreciate the power of nothing.
But we are often not comfortable within our crowded minds. When we speak of “wanting space,†for example, we express a wish not to be oppressed by people, obligations, and concerns. When the mind is preoccupied with thoughts, feelings, reactions, and judgments it can feel claustrophobic. When the mind is calm and spacious it can be relaxed and wise, even with a thought that may feel oppressive when the mind is tight.
There is much value in nothing. For example, an important element of a room is the empty space between the things in it. A room will have a very different atmosphere depending on
the size and shape of its space. Four people in an elevator feel very different from four people in a cathedral because of the different amount of nothing surrounding them.
Buddhist practice could be described as a practice of creating greater space in our minds and hearts and thus a more spacious and gracious mental environment. We can bring this about, in part, by appreciating nothing. In fact, nothing may be more precious than most somethings.
For example, having few possessions can bring happiness. A classic Buddhist story tells of a king who renounced his wealth and status and became a monk. His fellow monks were
skeptical that he would stay ordained without his accustomed luxury and comfort. Soon after the ordination, the monks were meditating in a grove of trees and the new monk exclaimed loudly, “Oh, what bliss, what bliss!†The other monks concluded that he had decided to return to his life of wealth. However, when they asked him why he exclaimed with joy, he replied, “When I was a king, I had guards posted inside and outside the palace, inside and outside the city, within and without the countryside. But now, on going alone to a
forest, I am without fear, not agitated, confident, and unafraid. This is why I exclaimed, ‘What Bliss! What Bliss!’â€
The example of the Buddhist monastic shows us the possibility of finding happiness and peace of mind with few possessions. Monastics haven’t tied their happiness to things; if anything, they are more interested in having nothing. This doesn’t mean that we lay people have to give up our money and possessions, but that we not expect these to be the anchor for our happiness.
Another area where an appreciation of nothingness can bring us happiness and peace is in the domain of identity. Asserting, defending, resisting, or denying identity or self-definition
can produce unnecessary suffering. When I was in college, I did art because I loved it. One day I decided that I was an “artist.†That was the day I stopped doing art. When I had
no idea of myself as an artist, expressing myself through art was natural and enjoyable. But my attempts to live the identity of “artist†inhibited that natural expression. All too often, when we enter a situation playing the identity game we suffer or cause others to suffer. Furthermore, we may limit the creative potential for something new to arise from the situation. On the other hand, to be without the need for any particular identity may free us from the compulsions of ego.
Yet another area where an appreciation of nothingness is important is preconceived ideas or judgments. Our attachment to our ideas can be as stultifying as our attachment to identity. An important element of mindfulness practice is developing “beginner’s mind,†moving through life ready to see every situation anew.
The Buddhist path can be described as an emptying of ourselves of fears, inhibitions, cravings, and other inner causes of suffering. We empty ourselves of our attachments to posses- sions, our images of ourselves, and our opinions and ideas. We empty ourselves of the need to plan anxiously, to fret, and to obsess. Ultimately, we even empty ourselves of the need to attain something in our practice such as some wonderful spiritual experience. We discover how little we need to be happy and at peace.
Another story of the importance of nothing is the famous parable of the raft, in which the Buddha described how we should relate to the teachings. The Buddha said to his monks, “Suppose a person comes to a river and there is no bridge. The person builds a raft and crosses safely to the other side. Once across, the person picks up the raft and continues the journey into the forest carrying it. What do you think—is this person using the raft appropriately?†The monks replied, “No, sir.†The Buddha then continued, saying, “The Dharma is similar to the raft, it is for the purpose of crossing over, not for the purpose of grasping.â€
In some important ways Buddhist practice leaves us with nothing. Practice is sometimes described as “being nobody, going nowhere, having nothing.†An arahat or enlightened person is described as someone who “has nothing.†In discovering how to be free from clinging, fear, and the need for identity, we learn to be happy with nothing. It is as if happiness is our natural state that is finally revealed when we stop fixating on all the somethings.
Being nobody and having nothing doesn’t mean that we are passive or uncaring. Compassion and the wisdom to act effectively can work through us unimpeded when we are free of attachments to identity, opinions, and possessions.
Wonderful things can happen when we appreciate the power of nothing.
Following our Authentic Path
I am very dedicated with my clients in helping them follow their passions in Life. So often we "settle" for various reasons with people and situations that don't fullfill our soul purpose. Whether for financial insecurity or emotional insecurity and we can fall into the habit ending up stuck.
When we change our thinking from the negative thought process to the positive flow we naturally draw in the forces for us to create a path that will lead us to true happiness
So many of us today are just "surviving" going through the motions of daily tasks and truly missing out on living! So what do we do about this? Well, take back the control. Realize you are the Captain of your own ship and YOU CAN HAVE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE! BELIEVE and it shall be...
I believe in creating an energy with our thoughts .Yes The Law Of Attraction. So many of us have written about it over the years. The Aquarian Doxology says it. Well it is true.Start everyday with a new outlook. If you realize your job is not making you happy and you dread going to work everyday than start focusing on what your "dream job" looks like. Make a mental plan a time frame for change to occur. Omit positive vibes daily. By this I mean share with others your thoughts and passions and you will start to create the flow of energy drawing those people into your life that are living on the path you wish to be on.
This works for love and business.Whatever is making you "stuck" and unhappy choose to leave it behind.Make the decision for change and most importantly take the action to create it in the physical plane..Using our mental plane on a vibrational leval as well. What I mean by this again your thoughts everyday minute by minute! If a negative thought starts to enter you mind then imagine something crushing it ,push it out and replace the thought with one that comes from love.
As I have heard many times in life and I believe in the simplicity of it immensly. There are only two paths we live one is the path of fear and the other is the path of love...Like the Nike campaign says " Just Do It"
Lynn Miller
When we change our thinking from the negative thought process to the positive flow we naturally draw in the forces for us to create a path that will lead us to true happiness
So many of us today are just "surviving" going through the motions of daily tasks and truly missing out on living! So what do we do about this? Well, take back the control. Realize you are the Captain of your own ship and YOU CAN HAVE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE! BELIEVE and it shall be...
I believe in creating an energy with our thoughts .Yes The Law Of Attraction. So many of us have written about it over the years. The Aquarian Doxology says it. Well it is true.Start everyday with a new outlook. If you realize your job is not making you happy and you dread going to work everyday than start focusing on what your "dream job" looks like. Make a mental plan a time frame for change to occur. Omit positive vibes daily. By this I mean share with others your thoughts and passions and you will start to create the flow of energy drawing those people into your life that are living on the path you wish to be on.
This works for love and business.Whatever is making you "stuck" and unhappy choose to leave it behind.Make the decision for change and most importantly take the action to create it in the physical plane..Using our mental plane on a vibrational leval as well. What I mean by this again your thoughts everyday minute by minute! If a negative thought starts to enter you mind then imagine something crushing it ,push it out and replace the thought with one that comes from love.
As I have heard many times in life and I believe in the simplicity of it immensly. There are only two paths we live one is the path of fear and the other is the path of love...Like the Nike campaign says " Just Do It"
Lynn Miller
Summer Solitice
The first day of summer officially kicks off today at 7:28 a.m. ET, the beginning of the summer solstice and the longest day of the year—at least in the Northern Hemisphere.
Awed by the great power of the sun, civilizations have for centuries celebrated the first day of summer otherwise known as the Summer Solstice, Midsummer (see Shakespeare), St. John's Day, or the Wiccan Litha.
The Celts & Slavs celebrated the first day of summer with dancing & bonfires to help increase the sun's energy. The Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light.
Perhaps the most enduring modern ties with Summer Solstice were the Druids' celebration of the day as the "wedding of Heaven and Earth", resulting in the present day belief of a "lucky" wedding in June.
Today, the day is still celebrated around the world - most notably in England at Stonehenge and Avebury, where thousands gather to welcome the sunrise on the Summer Solstice.
Pagan spirit gatherings or festivals are also common in June, when groups assemble to light a sacred fire, and stay up all night to welcome the dawn.
Pagans (now neo-pagans) have always given this day a special significance. Their religion is rooted in the cycles of nature. Things come and things go; they rise and fall; ebb and flow. Today neo-pagan nature/earth worshippers gather in various "sacred" spaces on the planet to celebrate their reverence for nature. Solstice is both the peak and the tipping point of vibrant life in nature. At the ultimate moment of life and warmth, we're reminded that nature will now take its turn and move us back toward death and darkness. That's the "truth" of nature that pagans celebrate...
Summer Solstice Fun Facts
* Pagans called the Midsummer moon the "Honey Moon" for the mead made from fermented honey that was part of wedding ceremonies performed at the Summer Solstice.
* Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.
* Midsummer was thought to be a time of magic, when evil spirits were said to appear. To thwart them, Pagans often wore protective garlands of herbs and flowers. One of the most powerful of them was a plant called 'chase-devil', which is known today as St. John's Wort and still used by modern herbalists as a mood stabilizer.
Awed by the great power of the sun, civilizations have for centuries celebrated the first day of summer otherwise known as the Summer Solstice, Midsummer (see Shakespeare), St. John's Day, or the Wiccan Litha.
The Celts & Slavs celebrated the first day of summer with dancing & bonfires to help increase the sun's energy. The Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light.
Perhaps the most enduring modern ties with Summer Solstice were the Druids' celebration of the day as the "wedding of Heaven and Earth", resulting in the present day belief of a "lucky" wedding in June.
Today, the day is still celebrated around the world - most notably in England at Stonehenge and Avebury, where thousands gather to welcome the sunrise on the Summer Solstice.
Pagan spirit gatherings or festivals are also common in June, when groups assemble to light a sacred fire, and stay up all night to welcome the dawn.
Pagans (now neo-pagans) have always given this day a special significance. Their religion is rooted in the cycles of nature. Things come and things go; they rise and fall; ebb and flow. Today neo-pagan nature/earth worshippers gather in various "sacred" spaces on the planet to celebrate their reverence for nature. Solstice is both the peak and the tipping point of vibrant life in nature. At the ultimate moment of life and warmth, we're reminded that nature will now take its turn and move us back toward death and darkness. That's the "truth" of nature that pagans celebrate...
Summer Solstice Fun Facts
* Pagans called the Midsummer moon the "Honey Moon" for the mead made from fermented honey that was part of wedding ceremonies performed at the Summer Solstice.
* Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.
* Midsummer was thought to be a time of magic, when evil spirits were said to appear. To thwart them, Pagans often wore protective garlands of herbs and flowers. One of the most powerful of them was a plant called 'chase-devil', which is known today as St. John's Wort and still used by modern herbalists as a mood stabilizer.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Your Weekly Horoscopes: June 14th - 20th
WeeklyScopes ~ June 14 to 20
Join SatoriNation.com to receive your free weekly horoscopes: http://satorination.com/register
ARIES ~ It's all roses and sweet promises until it's time to make do on them. Whether they your promises or someone's got you excited over what might be, it is possible to make these ideas/plans/promises a reality or, at least, give a good chance for probability. But someone will need to not only take that first step, but commit to all that may be tangled up with that first step. There is work involved.
TAURUS ~ Perception. What we can see isn't always all there is. What we hear can also be deceiving. The full context isn't always readily available for us. This week, question what you perceive as truth and actively seek to become conscious of what realities may be hidden from you. Give a greater degree of latitude than you might usually, in a given situation.
GEMINI ~ Relationships, especially with family, may be at the forefront of your mind. Nothing serious, but you know a change is coming or have already begun happening. Maybe roles within your given relationships are shifting? Whatever it may be, embrace the change even if it's a difficult reality to accept right now.
CANCER ~ Venus enters your income house. This week, she makes friends with Jupiter and Uranus who are stirring things up in your career house. Ch-ch-ch-changes... Moving forward and improving the quality of your life requires letting go of what may be anchoring you to your current situation. The future is bright and hopeful, indeed. What are you willing to give up for it?
LEO ~ woo hoo! Venus graces your sign with her presence, where she'll remain until late next month. She currently makes a big play for Jupiter and Uranus who are all about expansion! Where in your life could you gain from the collaboration of these three planets? Think big, but fast. Mars and the Sun make their own alignments with Pluto and Saturn, respectively, later this week to help with putting action into your ideals.
VIRGO ~ It serves to be discriminating this week. Good thing you've got “picky†down pat :) So go ahead and extend your search or research far and wide. Reach out your arm and hand pick that thing, that idea, that person, that project, or that event of your heart's choosing. Choose, plan your next move, then make a move.
LIBRA ~ Everyone's got their demands. You seem to be the recipient. Feel free to delegate. You can realistically only accommodate the most significant and time-sensitive of these requests. After all, you also have your own life and set of action items that also need to get done. Unless they're children, these people can pull their own weight. Don't be an enabler :)
SCORPIO ~ Venus governs love/relationships but also finances. She has entered your career and future goals house, where she'll stay until late July. She now makes a lovely angle with the planet of possibilities, Jupiter, and the planet of surprises, Uranus, who are both in your house of work and daily routine. This week, sincere strides made toward work or changing to improve life's daily routines are favored to succeed.
SAGITTARIUS ~ Your week begins playfully which is a nice reminder on staying young at heart by connecting with your inner child. Trying to conceive? It's a good week for it. Actions working towards future plans or plans for increasing income are also blessed this week. It's just an all around fabulous week for you if you can stay focused and dedicated to your cause.
CAPRICORN ~ Time to get things in order on the home front. Whether it's projects around the house or repairing family relations or communicating to ensure everyone in on the same page, get it done. It will be a smoother road to achieving your personal objectives if you have your private life in order, as well as, have the support of family and loved ones.
AQUARIUS ~ Venus in your partnerships house until late July conjures up all sorts of fun, exciting possibilities in love relationships and business alliances, alike. Whether it's your love life or business life or both that needs a boost, be a little bolder, muster up some confidence and make your move. Venus' friendly ties with Jupiter and Uranus can help make your wishes come true or, at least, more feasible.
PISCES ~ There's work to be done. Everyone seems to want a piece of you – family, hubby/partner, children, employer. Just don't neglect the basic needs of the self in the process. Those who are looking for employment might find this an ideal week for job searching and/or scheduling interviews.
Join SatoriNation.com to receive your free weekly horoscopes: http://satorination.com/register
ARIES ~ It's all roses and sweet promises until it's time to make do on them. Whether they your promises or someone's got you excited over what might be, it is possible to make these ideas/plans/promises a reality or, at least, give a good chance for probability. But someone will need to not only take that first step, but commit to all that may be tangled up with that first step. There is work involved.
TAURUS ~ Perception. What we can see isn't always all there is. What we hear can also be deceiving. The full context isn't always readily available for us. This week, question what you perceive as truth and actively seek to become conscious of what realities may be hidden from you. Give a greater degree of latitude than you might usually, in a given situation.
GEMINI ~ Relationships, especially with family, may be at the forefront of your mind. Nothing serious, but you know a change is coming or have already begun happening. Maybe roles within your given relationships are shifting? Whatever it may be, embrace the change even if it's a difficult reality to accept right now.
CANCER ~ Venus enters your income house. This week, she makes friends with Jupiter and Uranus who are stirring things up in your career house. Ch-ch-ch-changes... Moving forward and improving the quality of your life requires letting go of what may be anchoring you to your current situation. The future is bright and hopeful, indeed. What are you willing to give up for it?
LEO ~ woo hoo! Venus graces your sign with her presence, where she'll remain until late next month. She currently makes a big play for Jupiter and Uranus who are all about expansion! Where in your life could you gain from the collaboration of these three planets? Think big, but fast. Mars and the Sun make their own alignments with Pluto and Saturn, respectively, later this week to help with putting action into your ideals.
VIRGO ~ It serves to be discriminating this week. Good thing you've got “picky†down pat :) So go ahead and extend your search or research far and wide. Reach out your arm and hand pick that thing, that idea, that person, that project, or that event of your heart's choosing. Choose, plan your next move, then make a move.
LIBRA ~ Everyone's got their demands. You seem to be the recipient. Feel free to delegate. You can realistically only accommodate the most significant and time-sensitive of these requests. After all, you also have your own life and set of action items that also need to get done. Unless they're children, these people can pull their own weight. Don't be an enabler :)
SCORPIO ~ Venus governs love/relationships but also finances. She has entered your career and future goals house, where she'll stay until late July. She now makes a lovely angle with the planet of possibilities, Jupiter, and the planet of surprises, Uranus, who are both in your house of work and daily routine. This week, sincere strides made toward work or changing to improve life's daily routines are favored to succeed.
SAGITTARIUS ~ Your week begins playfully which is a nice reminder on staying young at heart by connecting with your inner child. Trying to conceive? It's a good week for it. Actions working towards future plans or plans for increasing income are also blessed this week. It's just an all around fabulous week for you if you can stay focused and dedicated to your cause.
CAPRICORN ~ Time to get things in order on the home front. Whether it's projects around the house or repairing family relations or communicating to ensure everyone in on the same page, get it done. It will be a smoother road to achieving your personal objectives if you have your private life in order, as well as, have the support of family and loved ones.
AQUARIUS ~ Venus in your partnerships house until late July conjures up all sorts of fun, exciting possibilities in love relationships and business alliances, alike. Whether it's your love life or business life or both that needs a boost, be a little bolder, muster up some confidence and make your move. Venus' friendly ties with Jupiter and Uranus can help make your wishes come true or, at least, more feasible.
PISCES ~ There's work to be done. Everyone seems to want a piece of you – family, hubby/partner, children, employer. Just don't neglect the basic needs of the self in the process. Those who are looking for employment might find this an ideal week for job searching and/or scheduling interviews.
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