What I'd like to discuss today may be somewhat controversial: the common misconception that we must engage in some activity to find peace.

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This misconception isn't limited to just basic self-care tips like "take a bath" or "go for a nature walk," but also extends to more spiritual practices such as yoga and even meditation. It's not that these activities can't provide some temporary relief for a calmer mind; often, they do. However, this is more akin to addressing the symptoms rather than delving into a deeper, lasting solution.

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This is the reason why many self-help books and advice on relaxation, productivity, and happiness often leave us feeling drained. We can't always pinpoint why we get irritated by yet another blog post, social media update, or motivational speech about "do this or that for less stress." Deep down, we sense that it's not entirely true. It's just another "should." This feeling of inner restlessness often means that all the information we absorb only contributes to our mental clutter.

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These tips and ideas are appealing because they cater to our addiction to activity and our fixation on constantly staying busy. As long as we remain busy, we can evade significant life questions and profound issues, such as why we engage in our daily routines or the concept of mortality. We consciously distract ourselves from these unsettling questions. We avoid issues that seem intimidating but, in my perspective, need to be faced for genuine, lasting inner peace.

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Relaxation and tranquility are not rewards we earn after completing an activity. Instead, they are natural states of being that unfold when the urge for activity is absent. It's crucial to understand that relaxation spontaneously occurs and cannot be forced. Before you can relax, you must first comprehend why you always feel the need to be so busy. Without this understanding, relaxation is nothing more than temporary relief.

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Osho's book series, "Osho Insights for a New Way of Living," contains insights, advice, and wisdom from the spiritual teacher Osho on various aspects of life, such as love and creativity. Osho emphasizes that the absence of activity is not equivalent to doing absolutely nothing. It doesn't mean you should lay there like a lifeless body on the couch. Instead, it's about allowing yourself to be guided by pure energy and acting when necessary.

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Action arises from clarity, happens at the right moment, and is not burdened by the past. It is creative and meaningful. In contrast, activity is often driven by inner restlessness and tends to be destructive.

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Understanding this subtle difference is crucial. It's the first step in becoming aware of your own tendencies. The second step is to be more engaged in action so that your energy is put to good use.

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The pitfall, however, is that you can become obsessed with trying to let go, which, in itself, is a form of activity. According to Osho, this is what happens to some monks in monasteries. Their obsession with letting go of activities becomes their new obsession, and they fill their days with activities like prayer and meditation, which are actually activities in themselves. You can't let go of activities in that way because they sneak back in through the back door.

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Again: Relaxation is a state of being that arises without the urge to do something. It's not a reward for completing an activity.

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Osho specifically emphasizes that creativity is paradoxical: a state of allowance, where you open yourself as a channel for inspiration. It's acting by not acting, arising from a clear mind free from inner restlessness.

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So, the path to relaxation is not a quest for activity but rather a journey toward consciousness, presence, and authentic action. It's about understanding the subtle differences between action and activity, and striving for a state of relaxation that arises from inner balance and clarity.

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I hope you found this helpful too!

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Much love,
Stefanie