January’s theme is “Move from the Ego Perspective to the Soul Perspective” where everything is measured by what special moments are occurring in the precious present moment. I came across this expression, “La Dolce Far Niente”, in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. It is Italian and translates to “the sweetness of doing nothing”.
“Il bel far niente” means ‘the beauty of doing nothing’… [it] has always been a cherished Italian ideal. The beauty of doing nothing is the goal of all your work, the final accomplishment for which you are most highly congratulated. The more exquisitely and delightfully you can do nothing, the higher your life’s achievement. You don’t necessarily need to be rich in order to experience this, either. ~ Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
If my theme this month is “Role to Soul” then I need to “practice the pause”. What better way then “doing nothing”. If you live in the northern climate, January is the time when practicing doing nothing is called “cabin fever”. Over the last few days, I felt like I accomplished little if anything. Even my workouts and walks have lacked the intensity I strive for. Then I realized that maybe I should engage in this wonderful Italian self-care practice and just relax and do nothing. The advantage is one can focus on what moments are occurring here and now.
The most interesting things in life often remain invisible to our ordinary senses. When I step away and do nothing, it is easier to see the universe at work in my life than when I am running from place to place believing myself indispensable. Actually, I realize I am frightened of being alone and having an unscheduled day, even as I longed for solitude and rest. I was full of paradoxes.
When I am surrounded by noise, I am not aware that anything important is happening in my life. I keep running away from the present moment, and I try to create experiences that make my life worthwhile by filling up my time to avoid the emptiness I otherwise would feel.
When I am truly listening, I come to know that universe is speaking to me, pointing the way, showing the direction. I simply need to learn to keep my ears open. Living in the Soul Perspective is a life of listening to a deeper sound and marching to a different beat, a life in which we become “all ears.”
Those who practice “doing nothing” are often more contemplative than those who are so active that they do not take the time to reflect on the inner meaning of appearances. The most interesting things in life often remain invisible to our ordinary senses, yet are visible to our spiritual perception. In large measure they can very easily be overlooked by the inattentive, busily distracted person that each of us can so easily become.
Contemplation looks not so much at things as through them. It is “doing nothing” and “just being” and in the solitude I can hear the intuitive answers I seek. Contemplation helps me come to know my true identity in creation, vocation in the world, and unique place in history as an expression of divine love. Opening the heart to what is really and truly “there” is a fruit of contemplation and a spiritual practice.
