I have subscribed to the email newsletter of James Clear author of Atomic Habits. In this news letter he asks questions which are profound and thought provoking. Recently I received the following question.

“ The cost of convenience is vitality. You can have a lot of things done for you in the modern world — and many of them are great time savers! — but the feeling of being alive comes from being fully engaged in the right task, not free from all tasks.

Sure, you can automate and delegate all sorts of things, but the more interesting question is, “What fills you with so much liveliness that you want to do the work yourself?”

This led to me to lot of thoughts. What is task? And how you define liveliness?

Oxford dictionary defines task as “ a piece of work that has to be done especially an unpleasant or difficult one”.

Oxford dictionary also defines Liveliness as “ the quality of being outgoing, energetic and enthusiastic. I think liveliness is when you are totally present in the act. You are in the present moment and there is no feeling of time. You are loving the act itself for the joy it provides when you are performing it. You are in a state of flow. The process itself is joyous. Your ego has completely vanished .Your eyes start shining.. To put in other words “ the flame burns ferociously not in a lukewarm way.”

 Creative people who crate art also perform tasks. A  photographer takes a photo, processes it for displaying it to the world. A writer does the work of writing so that he can create a novel /short story or a poem. A painter paints pictures. All the creative people perform tasks that lead to the creation of art. Are they alive in the moment of creation?  Definitely  I think so.  In this context of task and liveliness I am  reminded of the difference between activity and action as enunciated by Osho in his book “ Creativity : unleash the forces within.” He says that “Action comes out of silent mind -it is the most beautiful thing in the world. Activity comes out of a restless mind- it is the ugliest. Action is when it has relevance: activity is irrelevant. Action is moment to moment, spontaneous: activity is loaded with past. …”

 For artists we may say that it is possible for them to act in a way Osho defines action. But for majority of humanity task as James Clear mentions it are unpleasant activities that need to be completed for living. Many of the activities that are performed are unpleasant but necessary for living. Then the challenge is,  can we turn the task into action? Can our mundane daily tasks/chores, can infuse  liveliness in us. Can we obtain that state of no mind, where creativity reaches it zenith. Do you have any hacks, to get to that state. Or simply it is not possible. One way could be loving the task at hand. One Zen master has suggested that perform the task for the task’s sake. Wash dishes when you are washing dishes. (implied here is the meaning that do not be obsessed with result of getting clean dishes)

 James Clear has stated that modern world/ technology offers lot of gadgets/technology to make our life comfortable. But are there any tasks that we would not like to  delegate / outsource for, these very activities make us joyful. Energetic and enthusiastic. How do we find them? For example A baker may be lively when he is selecting, mixing ingredients for the dough. Then sets the proper temperature for the oven and keeps in  the dough for making a bread. A cinematographer may be lively when he is filming the scene and leaves the processing and editing to an editor.

Can we find pointers to such activities in our lives. What could be those pointers or signs that indicate to us that these activities/tasks make us lively. One obvious one that comes to my mind is the feeling that time flies away. There is an intrinsic peace when performing the task. Can you  the reader add other pointers.

 I am reminded of a beautiful Zen story from Osho’s take on Creativity.

“ It is said about a Zen master that he was able to pull very big rocks, remove very big rocks- and he was a very fragile man .It was almost impossible looking at his physiology-stronger men very much stronger than him , were unable to pull those rocks and he would simply pull them very easily.

He was asked what his trick was .He said there is no trick – I love the rock, so the rock helps. First I say to her ,” now my prestige is in your hands and these people have come to watch. Now help me, cooperate with me.” Then I simply hold the rock lovingly…and wait for the hint. When the rock gives me hint- it is a shudder, my whole spine starts vibrating- when the rock gives me hint that she is ready, then I move. You move against the rock, that is why so much energy is needed. I move with the rock .I flow with the rock .In fact it is wrong to say that I move it- I am simply there. The rock moves itself.”   

Wonderful. Loving an act makes it not only beautiful but easy also.

This question earlier I had shared with my phone contacts through Whatsapp status.  An ex colleague shared following.

“ This is so deep Sir. 2 days before I was working on some mandala design . My son said AI can make this in 2 minute then why humans have to do it with hand. What is the use? We had a long discussion on importance of art in terms of sensual satisfaction. Not sure how much I could make my point to him but I am still confused as will the new generation be able to experience the beauty of art and doing tasks with hand. We surely have to come up with ecosystem that allows opportunities for this.”

Very true. Indeed AI is going to change every aspect of human life. And for the new generation the question James Clear has asked becomes highly significant.

What are your thoughts. There are lot of questions. I will be happy to see your thoughts in the comments.