With my six-year old hyperactive grandson away from home, I felt I had nothing to do. He always kept himself and me engaged. Not having anything to do made him get 'bored' and so, the flame of activity has to be always lighted. Without him, I suddenly found a strange dullness creeping into me.
Contrary to what many people may think, doing nothing is not easy. You need to experience it. As a child, the worst punishment I ever suffered was to sit silently facing a wall! The American version of it is called 'time out'- a punishment to a misbehaving kid in which the child is temporarily forced to remain silent in a single spot. The anguish of forcing someone to be seated silent and do nothing seems far worse than any physical punishment.
I pondered over 'doing nothing.' In doing so, I recalled Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi's two famous words "Shumma Iru." It literally means 'Be Still' or 'Keep Quiet.' Silence is said to be the Highest teaching of Bhagavan. 'Shumma Iru' is the state of absolute stillness, without deeds, words, and even thoughts. In other words, Do Nothing! Perhaps, a blank slate is the best place to begin something new or feel afresh. It is believed that in this state of stillness, one can experience a feeling of bliss in the mind in its pure state.
The great Sufi poet Rumi wrote, "Only let the moving waters calm down, and the sun and moon will be reflected on the surface of your being.
Most of us are used to having our minds occupied all the time. We seldom take any time to pause, to reflect over things, or even to just think. To many, life seems to be a nonstop sequence of activities.
Are there any benefits of 'doing nothing'? Many saints and philosophers have attested to the benefits of doing nothing but engage oneself with self-introspection. By doing so, you have a chance to grow spiritually, discover your own strengths and weaknesses, and decide upon what you really want to do.
So, after all, doing nothing is not that bad. May be you should try spending sometime doing nothing!
Give your mind a break by observing "Shumma Iru." Enjoy your own 'Do Nothing' vacation!
Contrary to what many people may think, doing nothing is not easy. You need to experience it. As a child, the worst punishment I ever suffered was to sit silently facing a wall! The American version of it is called 'time out'- a punishment to a misbehaving kid in which the child is temporarily forced to remain silent in a single spot. The anguish of forcing someone to be seated silent and do nothing seems far worse than any physical punishment.
I pondered over 'doing nothing.' In doing so, I recalled Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi's two famous words "Shumma Iru." It literally means 'Be Still' or 'Keep Quiet.' Silence is said to be the Highest teaching of Bhagavan. 'Shumma Iru' is the state of absolute stillness, without deeds, words, and even thoughts. In other words, Do Nothing! Perhaps, a blank slate is the best place to begin something new or feel afresh. It is believed that in this state of stillness, one can experience a feeling of bliss in the mind in its pure state.The great Sufi poet Rumi wrote, "Only let the moving waters calm down, and the sun and moon will be reflected on the surface of your being.
Most of us are used to having our minds occupied all the time. We seldom take any time to pause, to reflect over things, or even to just think. To many, life seems to be a nonstop sequence of activities.
Are there any benefits of 'doing nothing'? Many saints and philosophers have attested to the benefits of doing nothing but engage oneself with self-introspection. By doing so, you have a chance to grow spiritually, discover your own strengths and weaknesses, and decide upon what you really want to do.
So, after all, doing nothing is not that bad. May be you should try spending sometime doing nothing!
Give your mind a break by observing "Shumma Iru." Enjoy your own 'Do Nothing' vacation!
