🛌 “Lying Flat” for Dummies🥱
“Lying flat” essentially means doing the bare minimum to get by, and striving for nothing more than what is absolutely essential for one's survival. Rejection of societal pressures to overwork and stress. Lying flat originated in China. In April of 2021, a man published an article that detailed his two years of “lying flat” and how the stresses of contemporary life are not necessary.
There is a social stigma around this idea. Lying flat could be seen as unproductive or lazy because they are only doing the bare minimum. Society’s expectations involve meeting or exceeding the standard, and anything less is viewed poorly.
Is lying flat always a good thing? I believe that when we are lying flat, we are doing a good thing to a certain extent, where it would be considered being lazy, and creating bad habits, where we have no energy to do anything productive.
Zen involves Yin and Yang. Good and Evil. Lying flat can be considered going back to the roots and flow of one’s life; However, lying flat is not to be confused with doing whatever you want because nothing matters. Instead, lying flat is about doing as little as possible because it matters on a personal and societal level. Rejecting modern ways to access a good life entrusts one's identity to a simple life. Being Zen and participating in “Lying Flat” are one and the same.
To be zen is to align oneself with the flow of nature. When lying flat, we can ask whether participating would align oneself with the Zen. Arguably, yes. The “996” work culture that inspired the movement does not follow the flow of Zen. In The Tao Te Ching, to be aligned with the Tao is to be like water. When you apply force, there will be resistance. It forces workers into a grueling work week just to achieve the ideal life. To lay flat, you remove yourself from those systems and structures. You do what you need to do to regenerate in the least forceful way. And by that nature, it is closer to Zen than the hustle culture.
Lying flat can be considered one of the best movements to indulge in. Accepting what you have and living on the minimum can allow for a peaceful and simple life. Finding peace in boredom and tranquility can be considered the Tao in various aspects, and many should consider accepting this way of life as their own. (Especially college students)
