Nirmala talks about What to Do?
“The question of what is going on here, what is this experience of doing, can be a rich experience in and of itself. The question can put us more in touch with our experience than any answer can. The question invites a direct sensing of all of these various levels of our experience. As the broom moves across the floor, is it possible to simultaneously experience the emptiness within, the richness and oneness of all things and the personal actions of our particular body? Why do we have to choose one?
And what about the original question, What do I do? Could this also be a rich opportunity to explore all of the dimensions of existence? Why does there have to be a right answer? Can the question itself evoke a deeper sensing of life and an endless willingness to question again and again? What do I do now? And what about now? The gift may be in the question itself, not in some final answer. Life is unfolding in ever new and different ways, so maybe we can only discover in each new moment what the everything and nothing is going to do next.
There is an assumption that spiritual teachings are supposed to bring us to spiritual answers, that we are supposed to get somewhere finally. But what if the point of this spiritual journey is the journey itself? What if all of the answers are true and relevant when they arise, and yet they become irrelevant in the next breath?
The question of what is doing is never done, never fully answered. And so perhaps the question of what to do is not meant to ever be done or fully answered. Letting go of the idea of a right or final answer can make the question come alive in this very moment. What are you doing right now? What is most true to do now? And then what about now? It is always time to ask again because it is always a new now.
Just for this moment, find out what happens if you just allow yourself to not know what is the right thing to do, who would do it, and even if there is anything to do, or if doing even really happens. When you question that deeply, is there more or less of a compulsion to act in unhealthy or ignorant ways? Or is there a natural curiosity and sense of wonder that arises and puts you very much in touch with all of the mysterious elements that make up this particular moment? Does this curiosity lead you to rash and silly decisions, or does it allow impulses and intuitions to arise from deeper places within your being? If you know less and less about doing, what happens next?”
The full article: http://www.endless-satsang.com/what.htm
Hello, my provocative friend. This is a wonderful post and I thank you for bringing it to my awareness. I did in fact “allow myself to not know what is the right thing to do”. A relieving and refreshing practice.
Do you do this yourself? Or rather not do it? 8)
The question of who is the doer is a fascinating exploration. As you grow in awareness, your relationship with yourself and who you think yourself to be changes. And thus, the idea of who does. Our actions and perceptions best illustrate this evolving dynamic. What is our relationship with doing? Are we the doer? Are we the observer? Or are we both?
I particularly liked his comment “Why do we have to choose one?”. There is this idea that states of awareness are exclusive. That is – you are this OR you are that. But consciousness is more fluid than that, more blended. As with the both comment above, we can discover we can be all of that – the doer, the fullness, and the emptiness. All at once. Just shifting our attention around.
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