How to Exist

In order to exist, one must follow two rules: don't move, don't fidget, and don't indulge any thoughts or daydreams. Breathing and blinking are the only allowable actions. Remaining content with this state of doing nothing is also crucial, without trying to alter the experience or feeling impatient. This exercise is challenging, as the urge to do something is strong.

People often engage in various activities to escape the present moment, such as rehashing conversations, exploring their teeth, or seeking excitement. However, this constant search for something better leads to an allergy to the present moment itself. This fundamental human problem is often overlooked, as our lives are filled with coping strategies to avoid this discomfort.

In North America, approximately 100 firefighters are convicted of arson each year, often out of frustration with the lack of action. Even thinking itself can be a way to escape anxiety and uncertainty, as rumination is not about solving problems but finding an alternate mental escape. Practicing existing can help develop the ability to exist more comfortably.

This involves sitting, doing nothing, and noticing how it feels, then embracing those feelings without squirming or looking elsewhere. The process can be broken down into half-breaths, focusing on inhaling and exhaling without defending or tensing. Over time, one can string together these half-breaths, staying open throughout the entire breathing cycle.

This practice, which can be done for five minutes or longer, is a form of meditation, but it is presented as simply existing without fear, in small, manageable moments.