Why Is The Doing Often So Much More Important Than The Being?
With so much time on our hands staying safe at home we all tend to fill our days with activities and chores keeping our mind and body busy.
We tend to have such a hard time to concentrate on the present moment, appreciating what we have and taking time for ourselves to simply be.
We have put together a little diary for one week to help you be more present and aware.
We hope this is of help to stay centered and balanced, at least at times.
We are sending you hope and love from Auroville.
Why do we often feel that the doing is more important than the being?
To simply do nothing. In our every-day life we are constantly doing something or the other. Why is it so difficult to simply be at times?
“Which day is today my friend?
It’s today.
Ah, my favorite day!”
- Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
Tips
You are more than your thoughts. Try to open your senses: What do you hear, what do you smell, what do you feel on your skin?
Everything is changing constantly but the picture in our head often stays the same. Bring your attention several times per day to something that is different in a situation or with a person you are talking to.
Bring your attention to your breathing: It brings you back into the moment.
Concentrate on your feet. And on their connection to the ground. This small exercise will free your head.
A lot of restlessness happens when we want to change a situation. When you want to become active in a moment of peace ask yourself: where does this drive come from? What will happen if I accept this situation as it is? Would that work?
Diary – Being instead of doing
We spend our day very often in autopilot modus, most things we are not even aware about. It can be helpful if you write down for one week in which moments you managed to switch off the autopilot.
Day 1
Think about a moment where you were very present in your awareness. Describe what you were recognizing with your senses (for example on your cycle feeling the wind on your skin, the smell of the trees…)
How often did you have the time today to pause and not do anything? Describe these moments and add how you felt about it.
What is your automated reaction to doing nothing? How does it feel? Do you manage to bear it?
Day 2
Remember a moment where you were very present. Describe what you experienced.
Describe a negative moment that happened today. What was your first reaction, what were your thoughts and feelings. What would have happened if you wouldn’t have had this emotional reaction?
Day 3
Which colours did you see today?
In which calm and peaceful moment did you switch to full active modus?
Which thoughts and emotions did you have afterwards?
Was there a moment where you were able to do nothing and be peaceful? Describe this moment.
Day 4
Describe when you were completely present with your attention in one moment. What did you feel with your senses?
Describe a moment of silence. Which thoughts and emotions did you have?
Day 5
Describe a conversation you had today.
Did you answer and engage in autopilot modus or were your present and aware?
Which thoughts crossed your mind during the conversation. How did you feel?
Describe a moment of peace. Which thoughts and emotions came up?
Day 6
Think about an everyday action, which you performed with awareness (brushing teeth, taking the stairs). Describe how it was – without any judgement.
How did you feel during this? Which thoughts came to you? How did your body feel?
Describe a moment of peace you had. Which emotions and thoughts did you have?
Day 7
Describe when you were fully in the here and now. What did you experience with your senses?
Describe a moment of peace. Which thoughts and feeling did you have?
