Living and being - Inspired by Zen

Living and being - Inspired by Zen

Some people are obsessed with being busy—whether they’re employees, entrepreneurs, or homemakers. They keep themselves always occupied, believing it’s the most effective use of their time. And when there’s nothing to do? The day drags on. They feel unproductive, even restless.

Does that sound familiar? Let’s pause for a moment. Are we running the day, or is the day running us?

There’s no doubt that staying productive and results-driven is a sign of progress. But obsession turns progress into distress. Once we become addicted to busyness, guilt creeps in the moment we slow down. That guilt makes us restless, anxious, and disconnected from ourselves.

Which brings us to an important distinction: the difference between living and being. Ironically, we call ourselves “living beings”—but most of us forget the being part.

Here’s the difference:

If you believe every minute must be productive, you are living—driven by external goals, deadlines, and demands.

But if you can separate time from productivity—if you can sit without a task, without a label like “results-oriented person” or “go-getter”—and simply allow yourself to be… that is an art.

That means observing your inner voice, listening to your heartbeat, feeling nature around you, and creating harmony without glancing at the clock. That is the art of truly being who you are.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should abandon productivity. It means finding balance.

Living is governed from the outside—it’s for your livelihood.

Being is governed from within—it’s for your soul, for enjoying your own company.

Don’t get swept away by the mad rush, the endless rat race, the constant need to earn and prove. That might satisfy your ego for a while, but it will never satisfy your soul.

So go ahead, live your life—but not at the cost of losing who you really are

M.L.Narendra Kumar

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