What does this phrase ‘slow down’ mean to you?

We all have heard of “slowing down” a lot this year, haven’t we? 

Perhaps a bit too much. More than we’d have liked anyway. 

The pandemic seems unending even with the uplifting news of vaccine(s) ready for rollout. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, slowing down perhaps meant restriction in travel, meet-ups, shopping, venturing out for recreation etc. As we approach the end of an infamous year, as conscious beings, we must ask ourselves that what exactly has this enforced slow down brought us. 

Has it all been gloom and doom? 

OR

Have we emerged stronger (both internally and externally) having survived thus far? 

As I write this, I wonder why would anyone want to slow down by choice?! 

Life’s a race, right? 

Right from conception in the mother’s womb, we’re supposed to be running towards the grave. Often, without purpose or meaning; lacking any direction yet always having the certainty where we’re all heading for the same destination (death). 

I think of all the happy times in my life and realise they all went by so quickly. At least what I feel were happy moments in retrospect. I doubt if I was enlightened enough to recognise and relish those moments as blessings and be immensely grateful. If we look at life from this perspective, we realise it is relatively brief and uncertain. 

If we go by the western and Abrahamic school of thought, then you just have one life, one shot at fulfilment. After that, it’s either eternal obscurity/enjoyment or eternal damnation. Well, no wonder, the ideas emerging from the west have taught us to be in a rush. 

When we’re overwhelmed with life, our mortal bodies, emotions or dealings with others are usually the times’ well-wishers advise us to relax and slow down. When too many accidents are robbing people of their life the government comes out with warnings of ‘speed thrills but kills’. 

I think our ‘body’s government’— the Soul also comes out with such warnings in the form of anxiety, depression, confusion, disease and so forth. That’s when we need to check in with ourselves and see how to serve ourselves best. 

I have personally realised lately that I have been someone who’s been in a hurry for some reason. My friend Aditi pointed out how I spoke fast while conversing. It was pointed out a few others also previously when I worked in theatre. My saving grace was the diction; otherwise, the words would have felt muddled up. I’d like to think the same about going through life; if we’re too much in a hurry, events can feel muddled up.

There were many other areas, also where I thought I had always been in a rush. I do feel ‘experienced’ enough to share some of my personally realised benefits in slowing down in different areas of life. 

• Safer vehicular drives
• Better decision making
• Better digestion due to mindful chewing of food
• Savouring food items 
• Better running (more on that in a future blog post)
• Better writing
• Better spiritual साधना (practice)
• Better conversation flow

I’d like to leave you with some solid wisdom shared by Sadhguru is one of his disciples’ gatherings. I’ll humbly paraphrase what I heard in my words and understanding.

“Slowing down should mean slowing down the chatter of the mind. Slowing down the breaths (via yoga), words that come out of your mouth…your activities in the world.”

Thank you for reading this. Let me know what you made of this post. 😇

Taking it slow and easy,

Kushagra 

MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE WEEK

This week I suggest a couple of things that are diametrically opposite in their effect upon you. 

A heart-warming movie: Matilda (available on Netflix) is about a little girl who discovers the power of her mind and uses it against a bully. 

A heart-breaking novel: 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by the immaculately talented Elif Shafak. The story of the life and death of a hooker in Istanbul, Turkey. You can find my review here.