States of Mind: Active versus Passive, and Doing Versus Being

Many of us like to be doing things.  America was built on doing things.  Getting things done and accomplished is usually a good thing.  But there are other useful--and pleasant--states of mind as well.

Primarily I want to talk about "doing" versus "being."  Another way of thinking about this would be active versus passive mental activity.

First, let's start with what is positive about "doing."  The "doing mind" is active.  I sometimes refer to it as "active ego" (as opposed to passive ego).  Passive ego occurs when we are aware of thoughts and feelings, but they just wash over us.  We may be overwhelmed with good feelings (as on the beach) or worry (as when a family member is sick).  We just worry and worry and worry.  I sometimes see passive ego manifested as a neutral emotional state in the state of hypnosis (which I used to do, but hardly do anymore).  In hypnosis, the patient is not actively directing their own thinking, and the mind is in a receptive state to suggestion.   The opposite then is what I refer to as "active ego."  In active ego state, the mind is ready to solve problems and is actively considering options.  In this state, it appears to be less susceptible to worry and rumination.  That can be very helpful when there is anxiety.  The thoughts associated with this mental state may be, "What can I do about this situation?  I can do something to fix it!"

There is also an in between state--neither clear passive or clearly active.  When we appreciate what is around us (nature, people, even the feel of the air in the room), there is a kind of activity, but it is not visible to  others.  We are making a choice to focus our minds.  While we do not appear on the outside to others to be doing anything, we are actually expending mental energy.

Is there anything negative or self defeating about the active/doing mind?  On the negative side, the "doing" frame of mind can become overly habitual, and maybe even addictive.  We "do" out of habit, or because we are afraid to be alone with ourselves and our feelings.

Mindfulness therapy generally points out the value of the opposite of doing, which is learning to simply "be" or to appreciate what is around us.  Mindfulness tends to play down the role of actively achieving goals.  To the degree that it promotes doing, mindfulness therapy creates an awareness of the thoughts and feelings associated with it, so that the person is not "doing" purely out of habit.

I think that Americans sometimes get into "doing" mind so much that they miss out on some of the other aspects of reality. Back in the sixties and seventies there was a clash of cultures in America, between the "establishment" and the "hippies."  One aspect of this clash was the disagreement about the value of turning inward and meditating.  This was disparagingly called by some "navel gazing."  This pejorative term implied that people would focus too much on themselves and their feelings, to the exclusion of taking positive action in their lives or helping others around them.  Fortunately, we have progressed beyond that dichotomy.  We no longer see life as either/or in that regard.  We can be energized by our times of quiet and reflection to go out of our own personal sphere and accomplish goals.

So, let's summarize.  Here are some different states of mind that we have available as human beings:

Doing mind--planning and getting ready to cope or to execute a plan of action

Active (but not doing) mind--focusing intentionally on what is around oneself, or maybe focusing intentionally on clearing the mind.  An example would be some forms of meditation or prayer.

Passive mind--Letting ideas wash over  you.  This can be good, such as on vacation and in creative states of mind; but it can also be negative as when we succumb to runaway rumination and uncontrolled worry.

You may want to reflect on which of these three states occurs the most with you.  Do you need to ruminate less and be more actively in problem solving?  Do you need some calm down times when you are more focused (meditating and/or praying)?  Or is it even possible that you need some more time for thoughts just to wash over you, when you can be open to creative states of mind?