To understand why it is important to act, we must first examine the opposite to this, which is to be slothful. Sloth is defined as expressing idleness, laziness, or indolence, which simply means inactivity. To be sloth is to perform one of the seven deadly sins, which even in today’s society of over consuming couch potatoes, is still seen as a negative behaviour. But of course inaction or inactivity is not all negative. We all need to rest and recuperate, especially after performing activities, involving both mental and physical exertion. Nevertheless, understanding how to act also means knowing how to act while being inactive and choosing the right time to do so.
What are the applications for
comprehending Act?
To act does not necessarily mean you have to perform a physical task, since guiding others to achieving a goal can also be considered an act. One must be decisive and certain about what the next physical action is and commit to completing this task with a deadline in mind. Our environment affects our behaviour, and in turn this affects our body. The mind as well as the body, needs to be in a state capable of acting accordingly, otherwise our mood may lead towards slothful tendencies. Through practice, we can improve our mental and physical skills, making it not only easier, but more enjoyable to be active and act accordingly when needing to do so. And finally, we must practice judgment so that when the time comes to make a decision and act, we can do so decisively, morally and with certainty.