This Zen Blog is the 52nd weekly entry. As such it memorializes one full year since initiating this project. This one year passage reminded me how time is experienced differently by individuals. A deliberate and focused approach to all things slows time down.
Conversely, multi tasking and being rushed speeds things up.
This all too brief human journey is characterized by the realization that life is process, and not entity as most religions would lead you to believe, and moreover, the journey is impermanent, imperfect, and incomplete.
Even with the acknowledgement of this revelation we still all endeavor to live a full life, perhaps even characterized by a wishful dream scenario that on our deathbed we will feel content knowing that we passionately pursued the things that held our interest, that we found compelling.
Along with this, we would also like to exit this life feeling that we were sincere in our relationships and social conduct.
However, many individuals resigning to the axiom that “life is short” erroneously attempt to cram their hobbies and various other pursuits into narrow time frames, perhaps even consciously adapting the phrase I use above “all too brief human journey,” as a catalyst of sorts.
Living fully however is not the same as living quickly.
In these writings, I have emphasized that we should endeavor to do everything slowly and mindfully. Taking your foot off the accelerator is initially characterized by an abrupt awareness, a realization as to how addicted we have become to maintaining our daily whirlwind pace.
Living longer and enjoying our life experiences is only possible when we acknowledge our addiction and begin reducing this whirlwind pace. Everyone reading this has the potential to be a sage. However, it begins by choosing to
use your energy wisely and effectively. The things in life that really matter are best served when we are not pressured by outside influences, self inflicted schedules and deadlines.
The Heart Sutra instructs that feelings, impulses, and consciousness are all impermanent and empty. When we do things in a slow and relaxed manner we free ourselves. This freedom results in a presence to the wonders of everyday life that are so often overlooked.
The famous Zen author, Alan Watts was once asked by a young student for advice on how to develop a calm and focused demeanor. Without hesitation, Mr. Watts advised the young man saying: “Do everything very slowly, and when you remind yourself, and you are slow, slow up even more.”