Effortless action

We live in a frenetic world. Busy like Sisyphus of Greek mythology, who was punished by gods to roll a boulder up a hill - only for it to roll back, from where he had to repeat his action till eternity. We are busy pursuing multiple goals and, in the meantime, life goes on. As has been said, life is what happens when one is busy making other plans. A life that is bereft of joy and charm. Socrates warned us some 2,400 yrs ago - beware the bareness of a busy life.

Idleness, as author Andre Smart says, is a lost art. And, yet, everybody agrees being chronically busy is harmful for mind and body. It hurts creativity and emotional well-being.

This is why the highest philosophical principle of Taoism is wu- wei, or effortless action. A truly enlightened person will sometimes let things take their course. Paradoxical as it may sound, you do nothing and yet nothing is left undone.


The ancient Vedic practice of meditation, a term that originates from the word meditatum, meaning, to ponder, where you turn your attention to a sole point of reference by eliminating all external distractions, has strong parallels. Here, too, one is focusing on an object, or a prayer or on the rhythm of one's own inhaling and exhaling. And, yet, by apparently doing nothing, your overall well- being improves.

Rene Maria Rilke says it is important to be idle with confidence, when it is not possible to even raise your hands without hearing a whole lot. Setting goals and striving for targets is an integral part of modern life, but know when to step back and be idle. You will emerge rejuvenated.