Capek on Idleness

Witty and urbane, Capek sings the praises of idleness.  But wait...
As is sometimes the case with this man, there is more going on beneath the seemingly simple surface of these waters.  He's not being funny at all, he's trying to describe an odd state of mind he finds attractive from time to time.  A state of mind that's easiest to describe by negations -

"...idleness is neither relaxation nor amusement.  Idleness, pure perfect idleness, is neither a pastime nor time's extension; idleness is something negative: it is the absence of everything by which a person is occupied, diverted, distracted, interested, employed, annoyed, pleased, attracted, involved, entertained, bored, enchanted, fatigued, absorbed or confused; it is nothing, a negation, an intentlessness, a lack-purpose, I don't really know how to put it: in short, something perfect and rare."

It almost sounds a bit like the practice of "sitting Zen" doesn't it?

"Relaxation is a slow, ever-flowing current which gently laps and cradles you; resting is a dark, calm pool in which the angry foam and sediment of evil or intense moments are drifting away; laziness is an inlet covered with green algae, slime and frog's eggs; but idleness is a standing-still.  I has neither rhythm nor sound; it is fixed, it does not progress...Water-lifeless and transparent."

This meditation of sorts, though seemingly nothing, is not without effect:

"And when a person is through idling, he arises and returns as if from another world.  Everything is a little alien and different"