I'm somebody who tends towards slow morning rhythms. I like to take my tea and sit and stretch outside, smell the air, get a sense of the sky, listen to the morning sounds, and enjoy the gentle rhythms of the day waking up. Then there are days when I don't have this luxury because I'm getting kids ready for school or leaving for work or answering the phone. But as a general rule of thumb, I like to enter the day slowly. I also sit Zazen every day, which is slowing down and tasting each moment; somehow I get my daily quota.
What happens when you stop? How do you keep yourself from slowing down? How are you caught in the maze of busyness, anxiety, fear, stress, performance, demands? What have you been taught about 'non-doing'? We could all spend a lifetime exploring how our societies, upbringings, and challenges work against our spending peaceful time in silent contemplation.
If you want to slow down and discover the joy of just being, you need to make a commitment to stopping, otherwise your life will run away with you. We all know it makes sense to slow down to connect with ourselves, ratchet down the stress levels, and enjoy the miracle and beauty of life. But do we do it?! Zen teachers won't sell water by the river, they won't tell you to do something because it is good for you. Meditation and spiritual inquiry have to come from you. Nothing sticks unless you are deeply motivated. My deep wish is that you spend some time each day flowing slowly. Perhaps we will be enjoying the dawn together.
Flowing Slowly
