First, there is tamas, the quality of inertia, lethargy, and darkness. At tamas, life functioning is difficult as only the bare minimum is possible.

When one lets go of his or her resistances, tamas gives way to rajas, the level of activity, effort, and passion. Whereas at tamas, a person may be apathetic or simply lack the energy to take action, at rajas, the person is now fueled by motivation to improve his or her life. Here, there is a focus on both internal and external esteem needs.

Finally, the determination and dedication of rajas gives way to sattva, the state of being, harmony, and peace. At rajas, there’s a focus on material things: the car you drive, the size and location of your house, designer clothing, the latest technology, and so on. At sattva, the emphasis turns to who and what you are—and to experiencing a sense of balance, compassion, and peace.

Ultimately, all three qualities of consciousness are around us at all times. We can observe people and businesses stuck in tamas, seemingly unwilling or unable to grow and adapt, barely surviving. In others, we can notice an unquestionable drive to succeed in the world (rajas)—individuals committed to “making it to the top” and businesses focused on creating dominant market share. And in some individuals (but rarely in businesses) we can admire a state of balance and centeredness (sattva)—those that have transcended both rajas and tamas.

Perhaps you can even witness all three gunas within yourself—within different roles or Areas of Focus in your life and business.

When you observe resistance within yourself, say to completing a project or doing a household chore, the state of tamas is present. When driven by constant activity, rajas holds sway. When you enter a state of allowing—when things just seem to flow—you are in a sattvic state.

Become aware of these three qualities in your daily life. With greater awareness comes a greater range of choice. You will come to notice your resistances (tamas) more quickly, enabling you to transcend into rajas. Through the course of one’s inner evolution, sattva will begin to emerge on its own.

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Every aspect of Zen culture like the tea ceremony, archery, calligraphy, or fencing is performed with a one-pointedness of mind on the task at hand. No wobbling allowed.

But could a saying constructed over a thousand years ago still be relevant today? After all, the Chinese didn’t have smart phones or the internet back then. They didn’t even have phones, computers or even light bulbs.

A society of multitaskers listen to NPR, check the weather forecast, sip a cup of coffee and make dinner reservations while driving to work. Some might say we’ve become a culture of wobblers.

The point of the proverb is not about multitasking, but about nonresistance. Resistance obstructs the natural flow of our thinking and acting throughout the day. Degrees of resistance vary, but any level of resistance depletes our energy and hinders our state of flow. In a state of nonresistance, we find a natural way of being in the world—at work and at home.

Alan Watts explains, “For the essential quality of naturalness is the sincerity of the undivided mind which does not dither between alternatives.”

Hesitation, confusion, frustration, lethargy, apathy, and anger are all forms of resistance. When we let them go, we are liberated, entering a state of effortlessness that makes life’s adventures infinitely more enjoyable.

So when emailing, just email. When texting, just text. When listening, just listen. When reading, just read. When writing, just write.

Focusing on the task at hand might not bring about satori (a moment of enlightenment), but it will profoundly increase your effectiveness at work, improve your relationships, and enhance your inner balance and alertness.

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