Doing nothing

"“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” - Blaise Pascal

It is ridiculously hard to do nothing. Despite the sound advice to be found in Tom Hodgkin's wonderful book "How to be Idle" I still find it challenging. Even when I am taking a bath or lying in bed I always have a book in my hand. Forever trying to cram more knowledge in, to not waste time when I could be learning.

Even when meditating I am "trying to meditate". There is effort and endeavour in even that form of doing nothing. I can do it well, I can do it badly, I can give up doing it.

But really sitting; just sitting; not trying to do anything; just being; not noticing; not allowing; not resisting; not observing. Truly doing nothing. This might just be the hardest thing in the world - but also the most worthwhile.