One of the objectives of lesson 5 is:
"To understand the importance of doing NOTHING, and spending time alone."

I enjoy spending time alone, so that's cool.

I can see why doing nothing is important and beneficial, (I vaguely remember it from many years ago) but any suggestions on how to do nothing?

I know that question could sound totally bizarre, but doing some cleaning or tidying is about as close as I can get to doing nothing. If I sit down and do nothing, I instantly become restless, and start doing something. After coming through the worst of the anxiety and depression, where I would be so wound up 24/7, I must have forgotton HOW to do this...

I think doing nothing means becoming lost in the simple enjoyment and relaxation of a hobby or activity, without any specific goal in mind, maybe?

I found a book! "The art of doing nothing" by Veronique Vienne.

I'll let you all know how it goes...

I'm finding this lesson point quite hard. I mean, does anyone remember the last time they enjoyed doing nothing?

I know I have a habit of pushing myself, but in my free time I'm so busy doing things I really want to do... Does this dilemma make sense to anyone?

Frank,

I look forward to seeing you feedback on the book.

Wow this is what I have to look forward too. Sounds like solitairy confinement to me. I cant imagine EVER sitting still and doing nothing. Even after my foot surgery I was going CRAzY trying to rest. even if I am doing Nothing. I am thinking like crazy of the things I have to do or the things that I want to do. Or how to fix that. Or how to build that. I would go crazy. Let us know how you do Frank. and give suggestions too.

Frank,

I too cannot do "nothing". Nothing to me is staring at the 4 walls. That was what I was doig when I was depressed and anxious.

The best I can get at doing nothing is setting some guidelines for myself.

1) If it has anything to do with the house, stay away from it. (unless you like to decorate, garden) Any house financial stuff, car washing, vaccumming, dusting, cleaning, washing, reorganizing is OFF limits!

2) If I find pleasure in an activity like walking, reading, biking, drawing, sewing..basically anything you can do alone and have some "me" time. I sometimes just go walking around at the mall, get myself a green tea and window shop. I also love to paint and draw, so I can get lost in doing that easily! To me that is doing nothing...nothing constructive around the house that I view as a chore but instead I am doing something enjoyable, relaxing and an outlet for me! The housework and all that WILL be there. Trust me it can probably wait.

3)I also meditate for relaxation. That whole breathing thing and centering is pretty calming. I feel like I am taking care of myself.

To me doing nothing is just sitting on the back porch watching the leaves blow, or laying on the bed and looking out at theleaves blowing. Or taking a walk and sitting on a shore and tossing rocks in. Or even laying on the couch with the TV off looking at the light coming through the cut glass in our front door.

I love it but don't do it enough.

Thank you so much for the ideas and feedback!

I'm on to it now, I'll let you all know how it goes...

At the moment I'm having the 'good old lesson 6 outpouring of anger at anything that moves' experience again, which is making it more of a challenge. ...alot of adrenaline to burn off, I can tell ya!

But, it's my day off tomorrow and I'm just gonna jump on my bike and ride off into to the mountains for the day. It's gonna be my ME time!

Meditation is a good way to "do nothing". Just as Faith_TX said, watching nature is a form of meditation or if you are spiritual, taking a time each day to "let go and let God" and focusing on something OUTSIDE yourself.

you may enjoy this link:

http://www.paniccure.com/approaches/meditation/meditation_intro.htm

meditation is great, i have some chineese medicine meditations that help, alot of it has to do with breathing, My doing nothing involves sometimes listening to the relaxation cd and then taking a nap or lying down on my bed and listening to music and singing along with it, I think the main focus on doing nothing is just not doing productive work related things like cleaning or filling out papers.

Mike

Thanks everyone for these ideas!

Just getting back you all about the book I found:

"The art of doing nothing" by Veronique Vienne.

When it arrived in the mail, I was initially disappointed because it looked too superficial and 'arty' for me. LOL By appearance, and initial leafing through it reminded me of some kind of book you'd find buried under a coffee table...

But it's actually really neat! It's a little book of ideas and thoughts that can get you into a state of BLISSFULLY 'doing nothing in particular'. The ideas are simple and creative, and actually very doable. I'd recommend this book for someone who might be feeling meditation is difficult to 'get into'. This book will help busy people to find exactly where the peace is, all around. I'm glad to have it as a part of my collection now.