Do Nothing: Letting Go Of Intention

"Do Nothing" is a specific practice, developed by Shinzen Young, for having acceptance of what happens in awareness while letting go of any intention to control your attention. If you've heard of or practice "don't know mind," this will be an exercise in experiencing that.

Transcript

This is the Do Nothing Meditation.

So for the next several minutes we're going to practice the technique called Do Nothing.

The instructions are one,

Let whatever happens happen.

And two,

Whenever you're aware of an intention to control your attention,

Drop that intention.

In other words,

Let go of any need to control what you focus on,

What you think.

And notice if at any moment you are attempting to control where you focus,

How you feel,

Let go of that intention to control.

So whenever you notice that you're attempting to control your awareness,

Control your experience,

Let go of that need to control.

And if you can't let go of the intention to direct your awareness,

Then don't.

There shouldn't be a struggle in letting go of the intention.

If it's not voluntary,

It doesn't count as an intention in our book.

And when you drop the intention,

It doesn't mean that whatever you're focusing on will shift.

It might stay the same,

It might shift.

Whatever happens happens.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Way too much effort.

Just let whatever happens happen.

Do nothing.

And if you notice that you're trying to direct your awareness,

Let that go.

If you don't notice,

Don't let it go.

Let whatever happens happen.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to monitor continuously to decide if you have an intention in any moment.

Do nothing.

And no need to

Reviews

Nice gentle pace and found doing nothing a subtle challenge

As a type A, “do everything for everyone all day long” kind of person, this “do nothing” directive was exactly what my soul needed. This meditation brought intellectual, physical, and emotional rest when I really needed it, before bedtime.

Whoa, that was a unique experience. It took me back to my very first session in MBSR when for the first time ever, I wasn't thinking of a million things.

For me, this "Do Nothing" mediation was a lot like that. I'll be back for more of nothing.

Just what I needed to remind me that thing are perfect just as they are and I don’t have to do anything except BE.

Simply put, a beautiful practice that was really well needed ❤️
Definitely a keeper
Love the eyes in the background.

Thank you. I feel.connected and inspired. What a great space we created 🥰

Just what i needed to reset my whole outlook on productivity 🦋

Soothing. A relief to balance effort with effortlessness. 🙏

A calming and high caliber meditation. I have a tendency to direct my attention to the chirping birds🐦🐦 outside. This one helps you not act impulsively on a day. It helps you to focus on your business.

“Let go of the wheel” … of effort. Challenging but rewarding. Had to breathe through my mouth at first to let go of controlling my breath. After a while, my head fell back to rest on the couch as I released the need to hold it up. Thank you so much for your meditation!

That was lovely and aligns well with my intention for 2022: yes/acceptance. "Let whatever happens happen."

Appreciate your instructions and experienced the value of doing nothing and noticing how often I wanted to do something.

For someone like me who is always ‘on’ and hyper vigilant at times, this opportunity to do nothing is a rare treat. I’m going to do nothing again!

Interesting. Different from my usual meditations when I’m “working” to let go of thoughts.

Surprisingly powerful for me. Something about being given permission. Thank you 🙏🏼

Lovely meditation. I love the silent periods to practice the instruction. 🙏

Excellent journey into letting go of controlling the mind and accepting what is.
Thank you, Stephanie!

This was a good exercise. I am more relaxed but maybe because I was already meditating. I did sense a feeling of acceptance and surrender. 'Surrender' is actually a label I use when I feel anxious and overwhelmed and I literally go into a mode of letting go of whatever negative thoughts and feelings I am experiencing in a given moment. On other occasions I can become confused and agitated because there is a feeling of self judgment and needing to control things which is triggered by external forces. Thank you. Namaste🙏🏾

Gosh, I liked this. Surprised me. But I came away w/a new appreciation for “do nothing”. And at a moment that I needed to learn it. Thx.

A very powerful practice. Especially helpful in times of crisis.