The Ancient Mystical Practice of Doing Nothing

Jesus, Socrates, and Buddha did not write anything. They were not theoreticians, yet they influenced how the world lives. Where did “their ideas” come from? Was it akin to our modern method: the pretense of rigorous logical analysis birthed from a neurotic mind? Or were they inspired in a different way?

Inspired (adj.) c. 1400, "communicated by divine or supernatural powers," past-participle adjective from inspire (v.). From 1660s as "infused with seemingly supernatural influence." - Online Etymology Dictionary

Parmenides, known as the father of metaphysics, wrote only one poem about our unchanging reality and the many illusions that unfold from it. According to Peter Kingsley, Parmenides did not come up with this poem through logic alone, but by lying down in a dark temple and entering a deep, meditative state—a practice Kingsley calls “incubation.”

This practice seems akin to what some channeled writers do; writers who claim their words come from a higher consciousness. Interestingly, it seems like TikTokers are rediscovering the ancient mystical practice of incubation through the trend of “bed-rotting,” which involves lying in bed all day doing nothing.

People will criticize this practice. We have things to do, after all—important things, like supporting the economy to avoid collapse. We cannot lie around all day waiting for divine contact from spiritual guides to move us in mystical ways. Moreover, one can be inspired in a detrimental way, slavishly supporting the anticulture of the creator economy¹ or getting an egoic high on the spirit of creation itself, becoming manically unrelatable and alienating others.

However, this practice works. It’s how The Stoa was created. I was just lying on the sofa in a completely useless state when, boom, I suddenly knew exactly what to do. I have an opportunity to do nothing this coming summer. I will probably end up doing something, but first, I will melt away all impure desires pressuring me to do something.

Truly doing nothing inspires something new.

We just had our opening session of a “private philosophy” series at The Stoa, called The Entity Pill. This series explores the metaphysical realities of “discarnate entities” and various practices on how to respond to them. The conversation around entities is growing, and I predict it will be picking up in popularity soon. If you’d like to get a jump on this phenomenon and join us for this series, late applications will be accepted. Application information is behind the paywall.

Here is the speaker line-up for the series:

• Unattached Burdens w/ Robert Falconer. June 26th @ 10:00 AM ET.

• DMT Entities w/ David Luke. July 3rd @ 10:00 AM ET.

• Demons w/ Richard Gallagher. July 13th @ 12:00 PM ET.

• Non-Human Intelligences w/ Sean Esbjörn-Hargens. July 17th @ 12:00 PM ET.

I’ll also be presenting on this topic at

Cadell Last

’s Philosophy Portal, the best place where para-academic philosophers engage in philosophical theorizing. I’ll share more details when they become available.