Back when I first created this site, roughly one year ago, I was all about slowing down and finding inner peace. I meditated a lot and had some incredible experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise had I not been willing to put the outside world on hold a bit. But lately I’m finding that in order to achieve my goals I need to increase my activity, which in turn has led to stress.
Of course, I’m not alone – this is a problem that affects everyone. We can’t always have tons of free time to meditate and ponder the nature of things. Occasionally (or even most of the time, ick!) we have to actually go out, and do stuff. But I’m starting to wonder about this whole “doing stuff” thing. Do my stress levels have to increase just because my amount of doing increases?
Personally, I think the answer is a definite no. While it may be difficult to maintain a peaceful state when a million things are happening all at once, it is possible. It just requires some adjustments in how we perceive that doing. And that’s what I’m going to explore in this article. Introducing Zen doing.
Regular Doing Versus Zen Doing
Although you might not be able to perceive it from the outside, there are huge differences between someone who practices Zen doing and someone who just, well, does. The primary difference is what each person is focusing on.
For example, let’s say a “normal” (I use that term a lot, don’t I?) person has a very busy schedule full of action items that they absolutely must accomplish today, or else the world will end. While this person might not be under huge amounts of stress, chances are that they are far from being at peace within themselves. The reason for this is their focus. When we have a lot of stuff to do, our natural tendency is to think about that crap over and over. How am I going to do this? I don’t have enough time for this. What’s the most efficient way for me to use this restroom here so I can get back to work as soon as possible? Yeah, I really have done that last one. More than once.
Unfortunately, this is the kind of stuff we usually have running through our heads when we have a really busy day. The problem is that our focus is entirely undisciplined. It scatters in 20 different directions all at once, which inevitably leads to feelings of stress and sometimes even outright panic. Zen doing is the antidote to this.
Like I said, it’s all about focus. Whereas most have their focus scatter when they have a bunch of tasks to do, Zen doing is all about taking that focus, combining it, and aiming it at all at once at the same place: the present moment. It’s a lot like your common household laser beam (this article is written for future readers, ha ha) – even though the beam is created from a bunch of scattered light, when you focus that light with intensity, it becomes powerful. Powerful enough to cut through metal.
And that’s the irony of Zen doing. While you might assume that it’s “weak”, i.e. that it doesn’t achieve results, it actually achieves more than you would otherwise. The feelings of peace and let-go that accompany the state don’t decrease productivity, they intensify it. The powerful focus we get from it allows us a level of insight and understanding into each task that we wouldn’t have otherwise with our brain running on overdrive.
Bringing Zen into Our Everyday Life
There’s more to Zen doing than increased productivity, though, and if you did it solely for that reason you probably wouldn’t get anything out of it. Zen doing is a no-mind, let go and flow type of activity. It’s basically meditating while taking action.
As you already know, one of the characteristics of the state is an increased sense of peace. Even though you may have loads of things to do, when you are completely, purposefully wrapped up with each one, and with the present moment that each activity occurs in, you learn to let go. You let go of the idea that you “have” to achieve X, Y, and Z. You still achieve them, of course, but it comes from an entirely different level of consciousness.
Typically, our daily life and distractions take us away from this meditative state. We often get so wrapped up in our own little things that we forget about everything else entirely. Zen doing allows us to do those things and participate in the real world without losing the overall picture. Although I’m still trying to make this into a habit, I can say with certainty that this is an incredibly satisfying thing to do.
Being Zen
Even things as simple as washing the dishes or taking out the trash become joyous activities. The next time you do something that you deem a waste of time or a chore, take some time to really get in the moment. Stop and appreciate the sights, sounds, and sensations around you. This brings an incredible sense of immersion into your activities. It’s like taking a simple sketch on a sheeet of paper and turning it into a vivid, colorful 3d masterpiece. That’s how real it becomes.
It isn’t our modern obsession with being busy that creates so many of our inner problems. Instead, like most things, it’s our attitude towards it. It’s quite possible to be “busy” on the outside and yet complete and whole on the inside all at the same time. In fact, understanding this paradox and really living it can be said to be one of the greatest achievements that a human being can have.
This is because beyond that door lies the key to both inward and outward success, all at once. Why sacrifice your inner world for busy productivity, or your outer world for inner stillness? You can have both, and one very satisfying method for achieving that is the fine art of Zen doing.
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This reminds me of a realization I had when reading Artist of Life by Bruce Lee. He talks about a “non-grasping” state of mind, where the mind accepts everything within and without, including nonacceptance.
It was like being hit with a train. I’d never been able to meditate, because I didn’t feel like I had the right concept of meditation. Suddenly, it clicked. Meditation is isn’t something we “do” (although I think there are many types of meditation and that statement isn’t universal), it’s a state of being. It’s something we can always be “doing”, because it’s a mindset.
I like the term Zen Doing–that’s what the idea of non-graspingness brought to mind.
I remember a vivid moment picking up dog poop, where everything went, as you put it, from a sketch to 3D. I was totally in the flow and seeing the beauty of everything, while doing this normally unpleasant chore. Zen Doing is a powerful thing.
Yes! Absolutely. I’ve written most of my e-book on meditation, but one section I haven’t written just yet is the one about different types of meditation. The reason for this, is because there is basically just one type of meditation. There are several different techniques to get there, whether you want to use mindfulness meditation, or guided meditation, but they’ll take you to the same place, which essentially the place of pure being.
LOL. You had that while picking up dog poop? That’s hilarious – almost unfortunate though because smells become more vivid as well!
Just so were all aware this is the funniest thing ever!
lol!
Haha! It’s true! And yet, in that place of Being, the vivid smell of dog poop is somehow less offensive.
I so needed this post right now, Fred! I feel like I’ve been in endless catch-up mode since I arrived in Canada just before Christmas and I’m ashamed to admit that I have a little (okay, maybe big) spot reserved in my mind for worrying about all the things I need to do!
Whenever I catch myself, I’m going to make a point of letting that go to allow myself to focus more thoroughly and in a more relaxed way.
I really appreciate you detailing the entire process and its benefits here!
Hope you have an amazing new year and this was a great attitude to start mine! Thanks! =)
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I hope you had a wonderful new year! I didn’t know you are in Canada, what brought you there?
Don’t worry – I’m no expert. I also have a fairly large spot in my brain dedicated to DOING a bunch of crap, and sometimes worrying about it too. It’s all about catching yourself and letting it go.
My family’s here in Canada! =) I was raised in Vancouver. =)
Haha! Thanks for your humility there, Fred. =P Same here!
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Fred,
This was an awesome piece of writing. I love how you’ve explained the concept of Zen doing. It makes total sense to me. We can accomplish a lot when we remain calm and focused on doing the task at hand. Zinging around like chicken without a head produces stress but taking our mind off all we have to do and placing it solely on one thing makes all the difference. We’re doing the same thing, perhaps, but just not allowing our mind to spin out of control.
Thank you! I needed to read this.
Happy New Year to you. I hope it’s your best year yet!
Angela
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Thanks Angela.
I still love that picture of you by the way.
I am going to go be Zen now!
What you are talking about here sounds great to me. If we could just find a way to get the rest of the Country on board.
I remember playing a basketball game with my brothers called Westside. The object of the game was to get to 21 points first. If you shoot and the ball doesn’t go in the hoop and someone rebounds your shot and makes it while in the air you lose a point.
The game is a lot of going back and forth and trying to make as many shots as you can and also trying to get others to lose points by rebounding and making their missed shots.
One time while playing I went into one of these “Zen doing” states where I slowed myself way down, let go of outcome and had fun with it.
The result was that I won every game that we played that day. Like 5 in a row. While everyone else was exerting all of their energy I was barely using any energy yet I still managed to win by being in the “right” state of mind.
You are on to something here with doing Zen.
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Haha that is awesome Justin. It looks like you really got into the zone. There’s been a lot of research into that state of mind that top athletes get into. It’s a lot like the Zen state, if not the same thing.
As you experienced, in that state you have way more energy and focus than you would normally, especially if you were worrying about winning before.
One of my biggest goals is to remain in the state all the time. I really need to remember to put in the work to make it happen. It’s so worth it.
Your new picture looks snazzy too. What is it with all these new pictures? Maybe I need to get one too!
Hi Fred,
I really like this approach of Zen doing. I just finished reading “A New Earth” and I really liked the suggestions Tolle gave about how we should approach doing those daily tasks that normally we don’t enjoy doing. If we perform those actions while maintaining that inner awareness/consciousness those tasks don’t seem so burdensome.
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I know, it’s crazy, because they almost seem like FUN when you’re in the present state. And that’s even for mindless tasks like doing the dishes and so on. Imagine what the increase creativity and joy can do for tasks that require some thinking!
Hi Fred,
I liked your advice on Zen of doing.
This reiterates the fact that our actions are truly mastered by mind. If we can train our minds, we can achieve anything.
Great post
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With the mind can conceive, it can achieve.. mind over matter.. All of this stuff has been said in so many ways, yet so few of us really understand it!
Here’s to making this idea a reality.
Hi Fred,
I love the way you explain Zen Doing. It solves indeed one the greatest paradoxes we have in this age: we have a lot to do and it causes stress mainly because it disturbs our inner world.
I try to combine both problem solved thinking and Zen Doing. Problem solved thinking helps to appropriate react on emotional loaded moments and Zen Doing to do the things we have to do.
Thanks for the inspiration!
That sounds good to me, Marc. One thing I’ve found is that being in a very Zen state allows me to not have many of those problems in the first place, which helps a lot.
Thanks for commenting.
Hey fred!
I must first point out that i love the title the art of zen doing, i have heard of this concept before and even tried it once at work with nice results. I can admit its not hard to get to that place where your mind is going bonkers, but this might just be the single most powerful tool in the toolbelt of life, you know after breathing and all that
have a great day
Andrew
Haha yes andrew! I think this is a very important thing, it’s too bad that so few people know about it. It’s definitely up there, like you said, right after breathing.
Hi Fred,
My apologizes it has been quite sometime since i commented on any of your posts, i have lately been busy with work and some stuff, before i forget i am still waiting for your meditation ebook, wish you good luck, if you need any help please do let me know, also please do cater …how to control your mind and emotions by performing mediation regularly i do know a couple of exercises for this, which can be of help to you.
now coming back to your post, i think its marvelous the way you have explained the idea, you know me now much i guess, a person of inner peace and thats all that matters, once you have developed a relationship with your mind body and soul, the outer world will follow itself, meditation is an easy approach to get to this level otherwise awareness through hard times of your life is very difficult there are very few people who excel after losing their dearest ones or valuable materials in their lives, others leave all hopes.
As someone very rightly said “enjoy what you are doing even if that is not what you had expected you would be doing”
The theme of life i believe should be “Love” not the romantic love but love in every form of life,thats the only way one can enjoy life to its fullest,live in the present enjoy every moment of your life whether you like it or you dont, spread love by respecting people, giving love unconditionally in every form may be by listening to them, helping them, be guidance for those who need you, spend time with children and see the way they enjoy everything, spend time with elderly people and learn from there wisdom and there can be alot more
and primarily give time to yourself, love yourself which in perceptive means that you take ownership of yourself and value yourself, if you dont that means you live in denial, and that wont help you in anyway, accept whatever feelings you have may they be hatred, love, jealousy, fear, insecurity whatsoever the only way to overcome them and not to react or let them take over you is to accept them (which is one thing which many people donot do, and they end up messing things) when you accept you donot resist the flow and create an energy around you that energy will help you in giving things a new perceptive to sort things.
Life is amazing, only if you realize and get to the level when the outer life doesnt really matter and every situation of life that you go through just becomes a phase and that phase is only there to help you, make you learn and move forward,and life is what you make it
ending my comment as stated earlier live in the present enjoy every moment of your life, forget about yesterdays failures and tomorrows fears, and live in the now, all that happens tomorrow is being created in the now with whatever you do, act or say
this is the first step to let go of everything and start living a joyous and life in excitment.
Cheers
Maleeha Yousuf
Fred, another great post!
Like I have said in my own blog, Christ tells us to be like a child in order to enter the kingdom because children live in the moment all of the time. We create our heaven or hell right here, right now, in each moment. Sometimes it is quite difficult to do this when we know we have to get out and do so much in order to produce, but once we get locked into the present moment, all that fades.
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