“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” Ovid (Roman Poet)
Last weekend I led an all-day retreat. As I reflect on the benefits of slowing down and spending time in meditation and mindfulness practices, I am aware of a pattern that is strong in my life. I have a pattern of planning, gathering, preparing and implementing so that everyone else involved is able to relax and engage together with ease. I must admit that I take pride in “doing all the things” so that others can show up and participate comfortably. At times this serves me well and I am also able to easily engage in and enjoy whatever activity is taking place. It often has me adequately prepared for presentations and workshops and retreat days I’m offering. However, sometimes, all my preparations and activity prior to events are fatiguing. This negatively impacts how I engage in said activity. When I am overextended or fatigued, I am less likely to be fully present and more likely to be irritable or withdrawn (more patterns).
I have been using the practices of reflection, observation and meditation to identify and accept this pattern of over preparing which sometimes leads to overextending myself. In the MBSR program, we explore automatic habitual patterns and how our mindfulness practice encourages awareness/noting, using curiosity/kindness/non-judgement when recognizing patterns and choosing how to respond when the patterns show up in our lives. Practicing awareness of the over preparing pattern makes it easier for me to identify when its presenting and then easier to choose the best response in the present moment/what best serves in the present situation. So sometimes, over preparing has been helpful, and sometimes it is not. Slowing down helps with awareness.
What does slowing down mean and what does it look like? Slowing down is a mindfulness practice. When I slow down, I am more aware of what’s actually happening for me, cognitively, physically, emotionally and behaviorally. I feel better equipped to choose how to approach whatever I am engaged in with presence and confidence. Slowing down assists with intentionality and decision making. It brings my patterns into full awareness. One of the ways I have engaged in slowing down is with a regular morning practice of gentle stretching and silent sitting meditation. Additionally, I practice pausing throughout the day and intentionally engage in a brief practice that allows for refocusing and nourishment. This can be as little as 1-2 minutes of focusing on my breath or looking out a window and observing nature. I find walking meditation to be a formal practice that supports slowing down. Giving up multi-tasking and taking technology breaks creates a natural slowing down.
What ways might you engage in slowing down? What patterns might you become aware of if you intentionally slow down and practice reflection, observation of self and mindful awareness? I encourage you to take some additional time this summer to slow down and see what self-understanding and wisdom arises for you. I have found that slowing down actually contributes to efficiency with my time and energy. Perhaps you will choose mindful walking or setting up a regular practice. The links below share additional information about slowing down. Check out: https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/resources for brief practices for pausing. The events page has additional opportunities to explore mindfulness in community and through taking a course. Mindfulness Mentoring services can help with the practice of slowing down or for reflection and assistance with how your mindfulness practice is supporting you in living life as you intend: https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/services-4.
I hope you might leave a comment about how you will slow down this summer.
Happy slowing! Karen
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