Evolution of ‘Action for it’s own sake’

In Novermber 2018 I began by putting forward a concept that was lingering in my mind in the form of memories of experiences, questions, insights loosely held together by a criss-cross of strings. When I started to look at each of these and the relationships between them a phrase emerged that was clear and yet left room for movement and interpretation. 

The Phrase was 'Action for it's own sake'. 

Below you will find the sutras/ aphorisms that I put out for action for it's own sake.

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But words already have their own etimologies and in speaking to people I realised that the phrase 'Action for it's own sake' through up a variety of things in people's minds. 

So I went back to the dictionary to find out the meaning and the etimological roots of the word. 

1. Action 

Meaning: a thing done; an act 

Synonyms: steps, measures, activity, movement, gesture, undertaking, accomplishment, venture, effort. 

Roots:

2. it's own sake

Meaning: used to indicate something that is done as an end in itself rather than to achieve some other purpose. 

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I chose to explore 'Action for it's own sake' through basket weaving. But how had I made the link? 

It is possible that since the task was defined by me it led to the experience of flow; deep engagement, fearlessness, alert, alive, present? This led me to a key insight; The possibility of performing 'action for it's own sake' higher if the task** is identified and directed by the performer? 

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I then chose to look at 'Action for it's own sake' from a few different lenses that were relevant to me and my area of inquiry. Namely, education, justice (social/ economic), the environment and the self. This led me to the works of a few specific thinkers. Gandhi was of greatest relevance since he was deeply concerned with actions. If one were to look at his life one finds that moments of his life are filled with actions that are performed with intent. It seems as if he used specific actions to firstly live and secondly communicate/ share his philosophical quest. 

Below are a few key ideas put forth by Gandhi. 

• The intelligent use of bodily organs is the best way of developing one's intellect. 
• In engaging deeply with handicrafts completely as a way of life (therby in relationship with the needs of the community, the environment, etc) one could learn about all the relevant knowledge.
• Action as being deeply situated within specific contexts and thereby interconnected to everything around it (self, relationships, politics, the environment, etc). He felt that performing actions for the right reasons (or rather negating the wrong reasons) is what brings integrity to the experience of action. (integrity of experience)

This raised another important insigh; for action to be performed for it's own sake there cannot be choice in the performance of the action. It simply has to be performed. This alone allows for the integrity in the experience of the action. 

* action - as a specific action (eg: a particular loop made while weaving)

**task - the larger action that comprises of many little actions (basket weaving)

Note: Gandhi's use of the term action largely implies tasks as defined here. 

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