Where to find this idea:
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD
We’re all human beings, right? But sometimes, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we forget about the “being” part, and we turn into “human doings” instead. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with doing — it’s a natural part of our lives. But in a world that’s so focused on the go-getter mentality, we overlook the importance of just “being.” While trying to minimize being and maximize doing, we forget that “being” is at the core of our existence.
This is an invitation. An invitation to focus on being, a little bit, every day.
In celebrating productivity and constantly chasing the next task, the next goal, the next anything, we risk losing sight of the joy of simply existing. And as we get caught in that constant doing, non-doing becomes harder than doing (so we keep doing).
Doing mode involves planning and task completion while considering everything — the past, the present, the future. Being is all about soaking up the here and now, experiencing things as they come, and not worrying about what’s happened before, or what might happen later.
Doing tells you to keep moving, get things done and experience more. Being whispers, “slow down, smell the roses, or at least that coffee in your hands while you’re doing. ”
We know that mindfulness is a buzzword, but mindfulness really brings us back to our being. There is a freedom and freshness in simply “being” and disengaging from a busy mind. There is nothing to do and nowhere to go. There are no external or internal pressures that tell you what you have to do or what you should do. “Being” mode is like just going with the flow without judgment — the total opposite of doing stuff when you’re trying to fix problems or make things better.
Ultimately, both forms of mental state are necessary, and we need a balance between the two. Certain moments require doing, but other times, all that we need is the peace and stillness of just being.