32. How can I be non-doing?

I’ve received emails from readers asking how to practice non-doing. I know it’s a challenge to understand non-doing — to “do nothing.” The thing is, if you want to practice non-doing, then you are still doing.

There’s a famous saying: we are human doings, not human beings. We have been educated and trained. Everything around us, all our teachings, are about doing — not being. So definitely it’s a challenge if you are really trying to practice non-doing.

So let me tell you how we can really approach this.

Non-doing is actually the opposite of our human tendency. So please give up the idea of trying to practice non-doing.

First, understand the Oneness practice.

Oneness practice is different from most other popular practices. Many techniques tell you to breathe in, breathe out, focus on your mind, watch your thoughts, look inward. Oneness is different. The posture is designed to set a platform — a stage — so you can stand effortlessly. In that condition, you begin to enjoy.

And when enjoyment begins, trying disappears.

For example, when you see a very beautiful view and you are completely absorbed — excited, touched — in that moment you are not trying to enjoy. You are not practicing excitement. It happens naturally. You are simply there.

Most systems are cause-ground cultivation. They begin with causes: Why am I angry? Why am I suffering? Why am I not happy? They analyze and search for a destination.

Oneness is fruit-ground cultivation.

We begin with the fruit.

What is the fruit of life? Peace. Joy. Compassion. Love.

At first, the fruit was very tiny, very subtle. So we allow it to grow — stronger and stronger, deeper and deeper — until eventually a new foundation forms. Then you stand on different grounds. You become different without forcing yourself to change.

Our principles are simple: non-doing, non-attachment, being present.

Easy to say. Challenging to live.

So we begin from non-doing.

The posture — every detail — sets the stage. When you stand correctly, it gives you the condition for effortlessness.

When the posture is ready, what do you do?

You smile gently.
Your mouth opens slightly.
Your eyes look forward, extending to 180 degrees.
Your ears listen backward 180 degrees.

Without that 360-degree immersion, it feels very different. But when you open fully — forward and backward — you are immersed in the environment, in nature.

Your pelvis is tucked.
Your chest slightly open.
Your breath drops down.

Other teachings start with deep breathing. Oneness is simpler. If the breath feels high in the chest, just sigh and let it fall into the lower abdomen.

Your knees bend slightly, like there is a spring inside.

Your crown, spine, lower back, knees — upward.
Your muscles, breath, body — downward.

Upward structure.
Downward release.

And within that structure, 360-degree awareness.

At the beginning, it may feel challenging.

What should you do?

Don’t set expectations.

Don’t expect effortlessness.
Don’t expect enjoyment.
Don’t expect results.

Grandmaster Yu always tells us: don’t set expectations. Let it happen automatically.

When you do nothing, it comes to you.
When you try to do something, it goes away.

This is opposite to our education and our habits.

At first, because the fruit is small, we provide a good environment. Like growing a flower — in the beginning we protect it carefully. When it grows strong, it can withstand snow and storms.

So choose a time when you are less distracted.

Choose a comfortable place — not too cold, not too hot.

Wear comfortable clothing.

If indoors, stand near a window and look far away. Green trees are especially helpful.

If outdoors, even better — but avoid strong wind. Don’t face the sun; turn your back to it.

I especially love standing beside tall trees. I feel so good there.

Prepare carefully at the beginning — but don’t obsess over details.

Some readers spend too much time adjusting posture. Some scan their body repeatedly.

Once the posture is ready, leave it.

Now you practice.

And the practice is enjoyment.

360 degrees.Gentle smile. Eyes horizontal. Ears listening backward.

If helpful, imagine you are in a hot spring. Soft waves touch your skin, one after another. Warm. Gentle. Comforting.

Non-doing is not practicing non-doing.

Non-doing is not trying to not-do.

Non-doing means no goal. No chasing.

Follow your body. Be one with nature.

If the mind drifts, let it drift.

Even now, after years of practice, sometimes my mind drifts. That’s natural.

Everything is happening naturally.

So please dismiss the idea of non-doing now.

You are simply standing. You are smiling. You are open.

Let the breath settle naturally into the lower abdomen.

Let thoughts come and go. Let feelings rise and fall.

Let everything happen without involvement.

Like watching a movie.

You are not inside the movie. You are not controlling it. You are not stopping it.

You are watching.

Look at nature.

Spring comes —
flowers open, green rises, life returns.

Summer comes —
vigor surges, light expands, everything grows bold and full.

Autumn comes —
fruit ripens, fields turn gold, harvest gathers quietly.

Winter comes —
winds soften, branches rest, roots store strength for another bloom.

No one commands the seasons.
No one forces the flowers.
No one pulls the fruit before its time.

They arrive.
They unfold.
They pass.

Naturally.

In the same way —

You stand.
You smile.
You open.

And what needs to come, comes.

That is non-doing.