On Doing Nothing

“If s/he acts without action, order will prevail.”

— Lao Tzu, Dao de Jing 

Doing nothing is not a new idea. Ancient teachers from many Eastern traditions and Indigenous cultures have pointed to the value of inaction and the dangers of actions that disrupt the natural balance. There is deep wisdom in these simple but powerful teachings that can transform our relationship with Nature. Daoists speak of wu wei, or non-action, suggesting that we not hurry to action, since most living beings in the world take care of themselves if left alone to self-organize. Buddhist teachings offer us the concept of non-duality, literally “not two,” which is an invitation for us to acknowledge ourselves as part of one fully-connected universe.

Within this bigger, interdependent whole, we can stop long enough to listen and discern what is needed to guide our work and our daily actions. We should be clear that non-doing or inaction does not imply laziness or apathy, but is a way to create space for Nature to flow and for the actions that follow to be more in line with her workings. Simply put, when we gather information about a situation in Nature and make a decision that the best course of action is to do nothing, this is as purposeful a management decision as deciding to harvest trees or mow a lawn.

What is it to situate humans differently on this planet — to reshape culture to trust in Nature and to recognize that non-action can be a viable choice? Just as Canada geese know to fly south as the season changes, humans have an often untapped inner knowing about our survival that comes from the same source, Nature. Human civilization, which includes the culture we have created, is caught up striving for seemingly endless growth, innovation, efficiency, and profit-making, obscuring our ability to stop and listen to Nature and the deeper truths that will save us from ourselves. Nature is responding to human choices and our extractive ways. It is time to examine our actions and reconsider this self-destructive path.

“Civilization was purchased by the betrayal of Nature.” 

— E.O. Wilson

As we step back to see the evidence of this “betrayal,” we don’t have to look farther than the fungi on the forest floor to be reminded that Nature is made of mycelia networks — an inherently complex natural system with the ability to communicate between organisms and support life. These learning and growing networks extend to all living beings, presenting an opportunity for us to participate humbly in the inextricable connections and reciprocity between all living creatures.

Humans have forgotten their place as a reciprocal part of Nature, especially in the face of the crises of climate change, biodiversity losses, and related threats to the welfare of all beings. A common reaction for humans is to act quickly to solve these problems. And, yet, we’ve seen how hasty action and short-term fixes can be destructive. Nature invites us to stop and listen, and then proceed with careful attention.

“Times are urgent, let us slow down.” 

— Bayo Akomolafe

We are unlearning together and re-imagining the multi-faceted, interconnections between wildlands and woodlands, and woodlands and farmlands, and how all three of these are intertwined from within and beyond by community. It is within the border areas that we can see the potential for greater unity.  

Instead, we see more often the GMO seed carried into the GMO-free farmer’s grassland by the wind or a bird. We see the damage of clear cutting a forest next to a wildland when the marten is trapped, unable to find food or shelter in its natural corridor. We see, in rural to urban communities, the planning of much-needed affordable housing that prioritizes speed and profit over safe drinking water, clean air, unfragmented habitat, and spaces for peaceful walks and outdoor recreation.

“All flourishing is mutual.”

— Robin Wall Kimmerer

What if? What if we could rely on a climate-resilient food system that uses local land and resources to feed everyone, not just those with access to resources and power? What if we didn’t clearcut but used low-impact, exemplary forestry to prioritize the forests’ long-term health? What if our worldview was that of ecocentrism where wild Nature has the right to flourish? What if nations, states, towns, and families were empowered, through more holistic policy and conscious practice, to support land use patterns that respect and work with Nature?

These are complex questions — and doing nothing, while holding space for Nature to guide the way, might sound like the most antithetical option. Returning to the Daoist wu-wei idea of non-action, we can pause to give Nature and all of her creatures, humans included, a chance to heal while we listen for new paths that extend beyond ourselves and into our local and global communities—where all Nature can thrive. In this space, we can illuminate the paths that remind us of our place in Nature, of Nature, and for Nature.

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A note from the authors

The two of us have been on separate paths that converge in the present moment, in this piece you’ve just read. Our connection is the shared belief that embracing inaction, holding space for Nature’s guidance, is the most vital action we can take to restore Mother Earth and safeguard all of her children, from the wildest creatures to the ones that we birthed.

Nadine Canter is a communications and meaning making specialist with more than three decades of experience serving nonprofits, academia, and the public sector. Her work builds strategies and tools to find the praxis of change through compassionate holistic systems approaches. She is a student of Nature, Daoism and Tai Chi, as well as eastern medicine, and is the Communications Director at Northeast Wilderness Trust. 

Marissa Latshaw is an organizational empathy consultant, working with mission-driven organizations to build inclusive communication strategies that inspire action. She serves as co-coordinator of the Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands & Communities initiative, working with partners throughout New England to help bring a more holistic, integrated approach to land conservation.

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Further Reading:

Foster, D. R., Orwig, D. A. 2006. Pre-emptive and salvage harvesting of New England forests: when doing nothing is a viable alternative. Conservation Biology 20: 959-970.

© Ali Kaukas