The desire to DO
Chech this out all you workaholics:
http://megsoapbox.blogspot.com/2006/09/fruitfulness-vs-productivity.html
I found most interesting the discussion on productivity vs. fruitfulness. She argues Jesus was not generally a productive person but was very fruitful. A cursory glance at the Buddha reveals something very similar. In fact her post could've been written by a buddhist.
I'm currently escaping the never-ending drive to do stuff not by rationalising not doing (recourse to fruitfulness is still about justifying the self, in more mellow terms, but inescapably attaching to a need to be positive). I'm just resting and enjoying the present without any reference to a greater good, for myself or others. This seems almost blasphemous to a culture imbued with the protestant work ethic, but it's in my heart and so I follow.
On a deeper level, however, I sense that I'm still doing so out of an ongoing desire to be the best I can be, that I am still striving to grow and achieve by not achieving, by being fruitful if you will. Not that this is negative per se, in fact these can be useful qualities in a society, but it clearly shows that I've not fully steeped in the infusions of self-acceptance. Just to be and nothing else.
However, this is still OK. Why judge my lack of total self-acceptance and give myself a burden to carry? And here I've come full circle.
http://megsoapbox.blogspot.com/2006/09/fruitfulness-vs-productivity.html
I found most interesting the discussion on productivity vs. fruitfulness. She argues Jesus was not generally a productive person but was very fruitful. A cursory glance at the Buddha reveals something very similar. In fact her post could've been written by a buddhist.
I'm currently escaping the never-ending drive to do stuff not by rationalising not doing (recourse to fruitfulness is still about justifying the self, in more mellow terms, but inescapably attaching to a need to be positive). I'm just resting and enjoying the present without any reference to a greater good, for myself or others. This seems almost blasphemous to a culture imbued with the protestant work ethic, but it's in my heart and so I follow.
On a deeper level, however, I sense that I'm still doing so out of an ongoing desire to be the best I can be, that I am still striving to grow and achieve by not achieving, by being fruitful if you will. Not that this is negative per se, in fact these can be useful qualities in a society, but it clearly shows that I've not fully steeped in the infusions of self-acceptance. Just to be and nothing else.
However, this is still OK. Why judge my lack of total self-acceptance and give myself a burden to carry? And here I've come full circle.
posted by kit at 03:07
6 Comments:
where did the protestant work ethic come from? there's no smoke without fire, etc... maybe we are meant to work - though not to the extent or guilt of the work ethic. we are human BEings not human DOings, but i believe that we find out identity partly in what we do.
this isn't a denial if just being, but i believe that we are made to Do certain things and that actually to be doing these things will be more restful and better for us an everyone that doing nothing. i remember times when i was DOing something i really enjoy and even though it required some work and discipline, it was so close to the centre of my BEing that it was really no work at all. certainly no guilt or ethic.
as a christian i have to add that we are called to one important DOing that is part of our BEing - the great commission of matthew 28v19: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." when i DO this then i am most ME.
Thanks Rob. I've posted a comment on your blog at
http://www.mindandsoulblog.com/2006/09/being_or_doing.html
Looks as though you got your head down a little TOO well in that sheep-shearing competition!
You clearly forgot that it is better to get your hair cut AFTER you have been to the icy places, not before, or your ears might get frost bite.
After a long period of drifting around like a cloud, dropping the odd shower of life-giving rain, you may begin to sense a disquieting lack of direction.
To quote Proverbs; Without vision, the people perish.
Jesus's fruitful life was lived with the cross as the focus and goal of his entire life. He remains and always will be the source of all fruitfulness that endures through eternity.We never get the sense that his fruitfulness was produced by just sitting under a tree. He constantly walked from place to place seeking those who would hear and receive his words of life.He was often worn out with the overwhelming human need, and drew strength from nights on the mountain with his Father God.He knew his identity,enjoyed an intimate loving, accepting relationship with God,and flowed into the work and purposes of God for his life, and at the end was satisfied with the fruit of his life poured out. Zebra x
Leaves will still fall from the trees if there is no wind.
'Doing No-thing'...Perhaps god is no-thing?
"At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh, nor fleshless;
Neither from, nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is."
T.S Eliot
'Zebra' - nice name: safe place to cross
Zebra, it may be that Jesus did not spend those nights alone with God only in order to replenish and strengthen himself to give more to humanity. He could've been spending time in stillness, for no other reason that this is where he wanted to be, there is where he found his centre. Your implicit reference to Buddha (?) I think over-emphasises the disparity between him and Jesus. Buddha spent 30 years teaching others, sharing his blessing with them. They both spent time in the quiet, and time in giving, teaching and healing.
Nice Eliot quote, thanks.
Post a Comment
<< Home