SLOWING DOWN

We all know about the benefits of slowing down, right?

courtesy of Ben Warren Unsplash Photos

And summer might be the perfect time to practice slowing down - longer days, lighter schedules, vacation time.....

Thanks for letting me share what I learned about slowing down at a meditation retreat I attended recently.

Going into retreat I already knew

•  Slowing down brings richness to whatever I’m doing. What I’m eating tastes better (and I get more satisfaction from it).  Conversations seem more connected (and efficient) when I listen and feel like I’m heard. Events are more memorable and enjoyable.

•  Everything, if I do it  s l o w l y  seems to go better and be better.

But slow is so NOT me!

On retreat the first thing I realized is how often I don't slow down. Like many of us, my habit is to squeeze more to-dos into my day. I have to deliberately choose to slow down.

Hurrying and ‘doing’ is reinforced in our world where accomplishment is valued. Rushing has become a badge of importance. It seems ‘normal’ to hurry and skim. Completing a to-do list makes us feel productive. Sometimes we use busyness to avoid what really needs to be done.

As we ‘sat’ in meditation for several hours each day it became obvious to me that this pace of being was not natural or very familiar to me.

There is enough…time

Sitting for two and a half hours at a time meant we had all the time we needed to appreciate the sounds and sensations in our experience. To notice temperature inside and outside our selves. To be aware of the minute alterations in posture that translated into comfort or discomfort. We had time to explore whatever was there.

I couldn't help but let go of my expectations of accomplishment and efficiency. As I became aware of the state of my mind and body I learned that there was enough time to feel what I was feeling. Time for my mind to catch up with my body. I began to see the pace of my mind slow to match the pace of my body in stillness.

Relief!

And I noticed a sense of relief – I wasn’t going to miss anything at this speed! Consequently, my mind was able to relax and stop operating on a million levels.

It became wonderful not to rush. Not to hurry. Not to anticipate what was coming next. Just to be.

Choice and slowing down

Slowing down the pace of everything on retreat reminded me that when I want to change something, change only happens if I make different choices.

I found it easier to  make these different choices when the options were surrounded by time. Instead of rushing into doing ‘it’ the way I’d always done it I was slowing down and taking a long look at my choices. Sometimes I saw more options than I assumed were available. Every time I approached things slowly it was easier to make the new choice – it was easier to change.

Bonus!

In areas where I have resisted change and struggled to make different choices, slowing down reminded me that I really did want to change.

Personal Growth

Personal growth is all about evolving, about changing… for the better.

Slowing down helps uncover those tools and attitudes that support the process of change and growth. Things like gratitude, pausing, perspective shifting, forgiveness, compassion, routines, thought swapping and starting again. Practices that support neuroplasticity (the capacity of the brain to change and ignite healing) and strengthen resilience.

The Gift of Slowing Down

I invite you to give yourself the gift of slowing down. Take the time to notice and celebrate your effort and successes. Slow down and take a look at where you want to change/grow. What can you do? When do you want to do it?

And then slow down so you can enjoy the journey.