The What, and How, we do
Sometimes statements are presented to us by others as ‘facts’, or ‘truth’, which don’t seem to quite resonate as such. Often these are important clues for us individually, as we learn to follow the path of wisdom, born of our own experience in life. Why doesn’t a certain teaching or statement resonate as true for me, even though this other person is so certain of it?
Instances of such variance are often a gracious guide for our own introspection and realization; to not judge or criticize the person who made the statement, but rather to reflect upon the realized variance, with equanimity. In this we find the opportunity to go deeper into the subject, and discover our own truth from within.
One such example for myself, has come through an oft repeated refrain, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it.” For many years I’ve observed this statement used in a certain way, and with a particular organizational agenda attached to it.
In a certain light, this is very much true. For example, Brother Lawrence, whose aphorisms comprise the spiritual manifesto “Practice of the Presence of God,” has inspired countless generations of seekers in the universal spirit of how to do things. It did not matter if he was washing the dishes, or scrubbing the floor of the monastery, because how he was doing it determined the state of his own relationship to God. This is of course true for each one of us, as we navigate the seemingly mundane realities of life as a human - we could be driving our car, vacuuming the living room, teaching a class on Saints. In all things, our common task is to learn to practice (and feel!) the presence of God throughout. In so doing, we find the greatest satisfaction and joy.
And yet, the other aspect of this aforementioned statement, has not resonated with my own understanding of a spiritual life. And that is, the idea that we must also throw out what we are doing. Does what we do really not matter?
For some, to live their life serving drinks behind a bar may well be the perfect space and way to serve fellow men and women. But for me, could I truly vouchsafe that it doesn’t matter? That I must simply practice God remembrance, while serving beers and bloody mary’s? Having done so for a very brief moment, I can say with some certainty, in that instance, it did matter.
Now this is, of course, an extreme example. But an illustrative one, nonetheless. It leads to the more personal question, to what extent does what I am doing matter? To what extent does what I am doing feed my Soul Self? To what extent do I believe in what I am doing, or feel inspired and ordained by God to do it?
Can you imagine Saint Francis, the Saint of Lady Poverty and Brotherly Love, preaching such lofty ideals without any of the actual outward simplicity in practice in his own life? To instead remain focused on maintaining his well-to-do familial reputation, running his father’s merchant shop, or continuing his party-boy ways as a youth in his 20’s; To never follow his unique path in God, simply because nobody else could approve of it in advance? It’s easy to imagine we would never know of Francis, much less call him a Saint, should he have instead followed the comfortable, well-trodden path of his father and friends. In the end, it is they who followed him. Not because of what he sacrificed in material wealth, but rather, because he lived the Gospel literally, and completely, in all aspects of his life. This was his mission. And it became the shared mission of many dozens and hundreds of brothers and sisters during his short life and ministry, and many hundreds more who applied the Gospel in spirit, as lay brothers and sisters.
The “what” we do in life, speaks directly to our own inherent and unique sense of Dharma. Dharma in this case can be simply defined as the path of rightness or truth. For each of us, we have a highest duty to uphold our own path of Dharma. And when we step outside of that path, we are sure to feel the karmic repercussions.
In the Bhagavid Gita, Krishna addresses this ideal of what we do directly, when stating, “It is better to do one’s own dharma, even imperfectly, than to do another’s dharma, even though perfectly. In doing one’s own duties, a person does not incur sin.” Ch 18 verse 47
Indeed, we see clearly in the lives of all Saints, the template for walking one’s own path in the ascent to liberation. To not do so, can only lead to more bondage.
For all of us, as we aspire to the highest light within us, we have a tightrope to walk which balances the how and the what.
On many days, a simple willingness to do whatever is needed, with joy, and an inner sense of freedom, is the highest path. And at other times, often in the depths of our seeking communion with God, we have a duty to step back from the activity of this life, and review the ‘what’ - to ask, is this ‘what’ - this job, this relationship, this religion - serving the highest light within me? Is this the will of my Father? Or, is this path of life keeping me from stepping into that which is truly mine to do.
Each of us must learn to balance the how, and the what, in our lives.
To do so, it can be helpful to relate to these as simply 1) the quality of energy we put into something (the how), and 2) the something itself that we are committed to serving (the what). Rather than one or the other, we find we cannot fully embrace one, without the other.
Sometimes we simply need to be positive, put on our big boy britches, and get into the field of activity. This is often the case when emerging from tamasic states like laziness, apathy and inactivity. Take action, serve others, say yes to life!
Other times, and as we go further on the path, we need to learn discrimination. Perhaps our willingness to say yes has brought about a misstep, or way too many steps all at once. We realize in the aftermath that we need to practice discrimination in our activity. It's good to be willing, but if this isn't mine to do, is it helpful and true for me to do it? We learn to become still, and ask, “what would you have me do?” This is emerging from rajas or the action-filled, restless state, into the purified mind of sattwa guna; that of using discernment and wisdom as our guide.
As Abraham Lincoln once pointed out, “A compass will point to true north from where you’re standing. But it’s got no advice about the swamps and the deserts and chasms that you’ll encounter along the way. If we’re heedless of obstacles and sink in the swamp, what’s the use of knowing true north?” Indeed, we must learn to discern our own path in life.
In climbing life’s sacred mountain, it is not either one, or the other. It is important that we pack both willingness and positive attitude for the journey, as well as wisdom and discrimination for what it is that we are trying to accomplish. With the right pack, we may find the how to be grace-filled, and the what to be crystal clear.
And should this not resonate at all with you - let the variance with your own compass of truth, be your guide.
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