Page 47 - NAMAH-Oct-2020

Notes on counselling

To work or not to work

Dr. Soumitra Basu

Abstract
Equanimity in the being demands that if we know to work, we must know how not to
work. That does not mean a lapse into inertia but a poise of silence, peace and timeless
stability that facilitates creativity and supports the play of the outer being in time.

As a youngster I was puzzled when I read Work at the level of the physical mind
Sri Aurobindo’s startling revelation that one
must know not only to work but also not to There were subjects who were too perfectionist
work! If one learns the art of working, one and were labelled as sporting obsessive
must know the art of not working too! personality disorder. They functioned properly
if they were given time-bound tasks. In fact
“To be able to work with full energy is they excelled in work, perfectly executed tasks
necessary — but to be able not to work is also with great responsibility and often completed
necessary (1).” the unfinished tasks of their colleagues too.
But if they were not placed under pressure
Years later when I started clinical work as to perform their idle mind would go on
a psychiatrist, I gradually recognised the ruminating unnecessary thoughts. They
importance of that statement. would try to remove unwanted thoughts
but could not do it. This frustrated them and
often led to depression. I realised that they
were seeking an escape from their unwanted
ruminations by taking refuge in work where
they could shift their focus to a productive
effort. I took up Sri Aurobindo’s cue and
started counselling such subjects that to be
steady both during work and without work
was needed for establishing equanimity in
the being.

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