Mindfulness is Not Passivity

It's been a stressful few weeks at work, and I noticed something that is interesting, and at the same time, something to consider further. First, the good part. In an environment where things are continually changing and unpredictable, often in very frustrating ways, I've heard many variations of "I'm just going to be in the moment" or "there is nothing I can do to change this, so I'm not going to stress over it" from co-workers. That in and of itself is nice to hear, and is a generally healthy way to process a stressful situation.

Set your thermostat to "change"

The default set point of the universe is change. You might call it impermanence if you were of a contemplative bent. There is nothing we have, that we interact with, or we are that stays the same, even from moment to moment. Most of us know this from a conceptual perspective, but do we live our lives this way? Mostly not. We get annoyed when things break, when we do dumb things, and we rage against fate when things appear to be not going our way. However, if we can find some acceptance of the fact of impermanence, our lives can be quite different. A very old analogy is imagining you are caught in a raging river. If you cling to a rock, holding on for dear life, what happens? You get dashed to pieces in a rather painful way. Why not just let go and ride the rapids?

“Change is the only constant in life.”— Heraclitus

Being mindful is in part about just this challenge. Being aware of what is really going on, not superficially, but at the very core of things, and with that, understanding yourself. So if you recognize that everything is changing, and importantly - that change is not personal - you can have freedom to decide how to respond instead of reacting habitually. Let me re-emphasize this point: what is happening, whatever it is, is not personal; you don't have bad luck and the universe isn't against you. That's just a story you made up to try and deal with bad circumstances.

Mindfulness isn't Passivity

Now here is an important point. Mindfulness is not about disengaging from life but about engaging with it more deeply and fully. At its core, mindfulness is a practice of cultivating presence, awareness, and intentionality—qualities that enhance our sense of agency. There can be a misconception that mindful acceptance is the same as passivity.

They are not the same things.

The misconception of mindfulness as passivity stems from a superficial understanding of the practice. Some interpret the emphasis on acceptance and non-judgment as a call to inaction, assuming that mindfulness encourages a passive resignation to whatever happens. However, acceptance in mindfulness does not mean complacency; it means acknowledging reality as it is, creating a foundation for informed and conscious action.

So back to the work example. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that things are out of your control and letting them be. But, that doesn't mean you don't try to change them. Agency and action are not only compatible with mindfulness, they are strengthened by it. In fact, in the Buddhist tradition, one of the parts of the path to reducing suffering is "right action". You can replace "right" with "wise" and you'll get closer to the meaning in English. In other words, a mindful understanding of an issue will bring more clarity and optionality into potential actions. If you approach a problem this way, you can reduce your emotional attachment to it and try to find constructive ways of dealing with it. Imagine how different your interactions with other people might be in this way also. It's the difference between a thoughtful, honest conversation and a diatribe.

Cultivating Mindful Action

Mindful acceptance and non-judgment is not the same as inaction or passivity. It's a step on the path to what comes next - some kind of action, or equivalently, non-action. That's an action too. ??

What does that feel like, and how do you practice it? Here are a few steps to consider:

1. Pause and reflect: Before taking action, take a moment to consider the consequences of your choices. A mindful examination of the situation will let you see what is going on and how it relates to you. This is probably the most important part. You will have a lot more potential choices to work with when you cultivate this sort of mindset. If you just react habitually, that's all you have - one arrow in the quiver, so to speak.
2. Examine your intention: Is it wise? Set a clear purpose for your actions. This helps align your behavior with your values and goals. Why are you really doing this?
3. Never forget compassion: Consider how your actions might affect others. Strive to act in ways that reduce suffering. Remember that you only ever have part of the story, so be kind.
4. Engage fully: When deciding to act, be all in. Give it your complete attention.

Don't forget that this is a practice, and something you won't always get right. If you embrace mistakes and imperfections as opportunities for learning and growth, you'll be better off. This sort of mindful action is not only beneficial to you as an individual, but it contributes to a more harmonious and ethical society overall. That sounds like a noble goal.

-Scott