A MEDITATION TO SLOW DOWN THE RACING MIND
I sometimes catch myself thinking; I can’t wait to retire, life will be so easy and stress free and I’ll have time in the world. But who am I kidding?! I’ll likely continue to be busy and stressed doing all the things I wanted to do when I was working OR I’ll be lost without a purpose and letting all sorts of negative thoughts pervade me.
Who knows what life will really be like? Hopefully I’ll be around to find out.
But for now, all I can do is work with that I’ve got, and that’s creating some space among all the to-dos to have a mental breather and stop the squish.
This meditation was inspired by Scott Norton’s interview on the 10% Happier Podcast.
Enjoy xx
Modern life is hectic.
In our teens it’s homework, sport, and keeping up with the cool kids.
In our 20s it’s study, a new job and burning the candle at both ends.
In our 30s it’s finding a partner, having babies and returning to work sleep deprived.
And in our 40s and 50s, it’s career demands, leadership roles and helping our kids to make the right decisions.
And before we know it, it’s time to retire; a chance to take our foot off the pedal and enjoy the luxury of time.
But we needn’t wait till our later years to finally change pace. For our life up till then has as precious view.
With meditation we can slow down our racing mind; slow down our racing lives.
Get out of the fast lane and create some space in our crowded schedule.
Slowing down our breathing.
Slowing down the thoughts.
Slowing down our experience.
Slowing down time.
Learning to take things more slowly; more deliberately; more intently.
To slow down mealtimes. Our chewing. Our tasting. Our swallowing.
To slow down conversations. To listen and really appreciate what the other person is saying.
To slow down with our kids and do things at their pace for a change.
To slow down with our parents and have some patience for their ways.
Slowing down our life so that we’re really living in it, not just whizzing through it.
It’s within our power; it’s all in our mindset.
To slow down this one precious life and savour it a little more deeply.
MEDITATION
For our meditation, let’s enjoy this change of pace by first slowing down our breathing.
Taking a deep breath in and a deep breath out.
Deep breath in and deep breath out.
And allowing the breath to settle into its natural rhythm; tummy rising, tummy falling.
Air going in, air going out.
And with our breathing relaxed and loose and calm, introducing the phrase ‘slow’ to repeat silently to ourselves with every breath.
Slow.
Slow.
Slow.
Just sitting and savouring, not having to be anywhere, not having to rush through anything. Enjoying this pace. Enjoying this calm.
Slow.
Slow.
Slow.
