The Very Act of Doing/Anti-Doing

What am I doing? Am I doing enough, or Am I doing too little? Can “doing” be quantified? Does it have qualitative traits? Is doing confined to the present moment? Am I perpetually in a state of doing?

The essence of doing is rooted in our behavioral patterns. Right now, as I write this, I am engaged in ‘doing’. But if I am not actively engaged in an action, I am ‘thinking’ — though technically, we are always thinking. Even when we are not actively doing something, this thinking is itself a form of ‘doing’. It’s a process where our brain remains active, thereby making thinking a form of ‘doing’.

Thus, ‘doing’ is fundamental to our existence. We are perpetually doing something. This can be seen as a privilege; some engage in significant, impactful ‘doings’, while others perform less notable ‘doings’. Have I assigned value to these different types of ‘doings’? Indeed. Why? Because of societal constructs and mental conditioning, we’ve attributed varying degrees of importance to different ‘doings’. For instance, societal change is often seen as a greater ‘doing’ compared to something like gardening, which is considered a lesser ‘doing’. These assigned values lead to suffering, as we become attached to certain ‘doings’ over others. In reality, every action is simply an act of existence — a fundamental something.

The sum of all doings, both natural and individual, constitutes our current existence. What we perceive around us is the result of natural processes, collective efforts, and individual actions. But if everything is natural, why do I see myself as an individual? I am not separate; I am a product of nature itself. My existence is a manifestation of nature’s doing. So who gives me the authority to determine the significance of my actions? It is perception — our sense of self allows us to judge our actions and those of others. This capacity for judgment was crucial for human evolution.

Philosophers, spiritualists, and scientists alike debate with the nature of ‘doing’. Neuroscientists explore how the brain enables actions such as moving, thinking, and feeling, debating the roles of various brain regions and networks. They seek to categorize and understand the origins of these ‘doings’, ultimately tracing them back to nature itself, which is crucial for scientific and technological progress.

Idealists argue that our actions and reality are shaped by the mind or ideas rather than material objects. They believe that our perceptions and consciousness play a critical role in defining our ‘doing’. Existentialists, on the other hand, emphasize individual freedom and responsibility, viewing ‘doing’ as a means of creating meaning and expressing one’s authentic self. Phenomenologists focus on the subjective experience of actions, highlighting how ‘doing’ is experienced from a first-person perspective. Determinists assert that all actions are the result of prior causes, arguing that free will is an illusion.

In Hindu philosophy and related teachings, like those found in the Upanishads and Buddhist texts, actions (karma) are viewed as essential for maintaining cosmic order (dharma). Every action influences one’s future and spiritual progress.

In the modern era, individuals perform ‘doings’ within companies that collectively produce goods or services. Even consumer purchases are a form of ‘doing’. Our ‘doings’ fuel the capitalist society, creating a continuous cycle of ‘doing’.

Individual and collective ‘doings’ are judged by a court of law, according to the current philosophical and cultural context. What is considered right or wrong ‘doing’ changes over time.

Every act of ‘doing’ has a temporal quality that eventually fades, making it challenging to fully understand the very ‘doing’. Yet, we know it is fundamental. If humanity were to vanish, nature would continue its ‘doings’, and the universe would exist without us.

In Hindu philosophy, particularly the Upanishads, Shakti is seen as the driving force behind all action and movement in the universe. All actions, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, are expressions of Shakti.

To stay in harmony with the natural ‘doing’ of the universe, Taoism teaches about the Tao — the fundamental principle that underlies and unites existence. It is dynamic and ever-flowing, embodying the continuous movement and transformation of the cosmos. Wu Wei, a key concept in Taoism, refers to an action that aligns with the Tao, which is not inaction but rather action in perfect harmony with the natural order. Taoism also values living by ziran, or “naturalness,” which means acting spontaneously and effortlessly. Qi (or Chi), the vital life force, is central to Taoist thought and resembles the concept of Prana in Hinduism.

Ultimately, some spiritual philosophies suggest that understanding and aligning with the natural flow of ‘doing’ can lead to harmony.

We might say, “I am doing, itself,” or “I am the embodiment of doing.”