Is presence passive?

There’s this common misconception that stillness is the same thing as “doing nothing.”

In this way, spiritual practice has become equated with quietism (and how it’s gotten such a bad rap from the professional world).

We assume stillness, acceptance, and spiritual practice are all about not caring, doing nothing, and being as passive as a leaf floating around on the surface of a lake.

No wonder the experience can often feel disempowering and, ultimately, a tactic for avoidance.

But nothing could be further from the truth.

That’s just mistaking the OUTSIDE for the INSIDE.

I’ll periodically talk to a busy CEO or business owner, and they will complain to me about the stress they're experiencing.

It's the work. Their job. It's too much. They need to do something else.

Something less stressful.

I will typically ask, "If you did your work without believing what the voices in your head were saying about it (or your boss, your situation, or...), what would your experience of it be, do you think?"

As they settle into this image with their eyes closed, I can see relief wash over their face, and their shoulders drop.

There would be nothing wrong with being busy, working hard, and getting things done IF, on the inside, they experienced focus, clarity, and peace.

The stress they experience is created by the stories and drama manufactured by the voices in their heads.

When people think about mindfulness, they get this image of slowly eating a raisin for 10 minutes. So, they assume it’s about moving slowly.

No!

Again. It’s not about what’s happening on the OUTSIDE. It’s about what’s going on INSIDE.

Go quickly when life dictates it’s necessary and slowly when there’s an opportunity to savor.

A race car driver needs to be incredibly mindful. That car is going insanely fast!

Therefore, the driver needs to be both mindful AND fast.

Still in awareness and racing around the track.

Bliss.