From doing to being

 It is not by action, but by renunciation of action that one attains 

liberation. (Ramana Maharshi)

 

Before awakening, we work towards what we desire and try to avoid what we are averse to, and in the process, develop our self identity. We are mostly happy being who we are but sometimes the environment that we are in has a mind of its own with the result that we become angry, frustrated or sad.

 

With awakening comes the realization that we either gel with our environment or are caught in some self-inflicted struggle. Different from the past, we learn that it’s not about doing anything but being in-tune with what needs to be done to resolve the situation, independent of how we may feel about it.

 

As an example, part of my psychological maturing process was getting more assertive. These days I simply register if my self identity minds something or feels happy about a situation. Yet, the action is always environment specific. That includes standing up for myself just as much as letting something slip.

 

Being brings happiness, not doing. Naturally, sometimes being entails doing, yet it isn’t really us doing it. The environment we are in speaks for itself and mostly does the heavy lifting as well. If the going gets tough, it is always us standing in the Way. It’s another priceless opportunity for self inquiry.