The Fine Art of Non-Doing: Reflections from Retreat
Hello everyone! I've missed sharing with you over the past month, as I took a little pause from my usual monthly newsletter. As many of you know, last month I went on a week-long retreat with Jon and Will Kabat-Zinn, stepping away from “doing mode” to immerse myself in what Jon calls “the fine art of non-doing.” Taking this break allowed me to deepen my mindfulness practice, reconnect with myself, and embrace the restorative power of rest.
I’m grateful for the insights and benefits that continue to ripple out from this experience, and I wanted to share some of them with you. These reflections might resonate with those of you navigating busy lives and looking to find a bit of ease.
The Gift of Rest We often wear our busy schedules as badges of honor, juggling work and personal demands until we’re on the brink of exhaustion. While deadlines and life events sometimes require extra energy, making time to simply “be” is equally vital. Stepping back to rest allows us to connect with the deep wisdom of our bodies and notice how we are, revealing where our attention is most needed and how to best care for ourselves. This is what allows us to obtain deeper overall wellbeing in mind and body and in turn, succeed in both our personal and professional lives.
Breaking Free from Autopilot Have you ever found yourself washing your hair twice in the shower because you were distracted by your to-do list, or finished a meal only to realize you barely tasted it? Taking moments to pause can help us escape the autopilot trap. The moments of our lives are better when we choose to show up for them. And by connecting with the present, as opposed to getting caught up in worry of what's to come or rehashing the past, we create space to respond thoughtfully, rather than react impulsively.
Recharging Inner Resources Non-doing may seem like we're “doing nothing,” but it’s actually a powerful way to recharge patience, equanimity, and non-judgment. When we rest and turn inward, we not only gain a better understanding of ourselves and some of our habitual ways that no longer serve us, but we also build resilience and incline ourselves in the direction of centeredness and calm. That way, when we return to our daily tasks and doing-mode, we make wiser choices, and our actions come from a place of greater clarity and intention.
I hope these few insights inspire you to take a few moments of rest for yourself, even amidst what can feel like an extra chaotic and busy season. If you are feeling inspired to give yourself the gift of rest, I invite you to join me for a free 30-minute, free, mindfulness workshop on Friday, November 1st at 12:30 PM (ET) via Zoom. It’s a great opportunity to nourish yourself with self-compassion and feel the connection of practicing together with others in a virtual shared community. I’ll guide a short metta meditation practice. In addition, I'll offer tips for how we can strengthen our innate feel-good qualities that help us navigate life’s challenges and open more fully to the present moment.
Remember: a more centered “being” ultimately shapes our next moment of “doing” in the most meaningful of ways.
Warm wishes,
Courtney
Zoom Information for Friday 11/1/24 Mindfulness Practice:
Meeting ID: 865 7738 3249
Passcode: 052044