A slow-motion capture of a drop of cream hitting a cup of coffee
I wrote in an earlier post how I often have to remind myself to breathe. Too often, I’m thinking too fast and moving too quickly, even when I’m sitting still.
About a week ago, I got another reminder. Something was hanging up my e-mail app: whatever I typed appeared on the screen one . . . letter . . . at . . . a . . . time. I kept on having to stop and wait for the letters to catch up with me. It was maddening! But then I thought, Hmmm, what if I typed that slowly on purpose? Would I be able to do that? What would the consequences be? So today I gave myself a challenge: Move in slow motion—be aware of every move I make, no matter how subtle—and see what happens.
What happened was wonderful.
• I was more present, more aware of whatever I was doing in the moment, from washing my hands to turning the key in my car’s ignition.
• I was more aware of my surroundings while I drove. I looked slowly to my left and right and took in the landscape.
• The world seemed to slow down too. I felt like I had all the time in the world to do what I wanted to do.
• I had less mental chatter in my head because I was thinking more slowly and clearly and being more present.
• I was more peaceful and calm. I no longer felt like I was in a race to see how much I could get done.
• I naturally started to breathe more deeply, which generated a virtuous circle—breathing slowly and deeply brought peace, which led to breathing more slowly and deeply.
How important is breathing? I like this passage from page 244 of Eckhart Tolle‘s book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.
Someone recently showed me the annual prospectus of a large spiritual organization. When I looked through it, I was impressed by the wide choice of interesting seminars and workshops. It reminded me of a smorgasbord, one of those Scandinavian buffets where you can take your pick from a huge variety of enticing dishes. The person asked me whether I could recommend one or two courses. “I don’t know,” I said. “They all look so interesting. But I do know this,” I added. “Be aware of your breathing as often as you are able, whenever you remember. Do that for one year, and it will be more powerfully transformative than attending all of these courses. And it’s free.”
Tolle added this on page 246:
Being aware of your breath forces you into the present moment—the key to all inner transformation. Whenever you are conscious of the breath, you are absolutely present. You may also notice that you cannot think and be aware of your breathing. Conscious breathing stops your mind. But far from being in a trance or half asleep, you are fully awake and highly alert. You are not falling below thinking, but rising above it.
It’s clear that by breathing more consciously and moving more slowly, I’ll get more done and enjoy whatever I’m doing more. Why? I’ll make fewer time-consuming mistakes. I’ll bump into things and drop things less often because I’m paying attention and being mindful.
I also expect that I will get to sleep more quickly because I won’t need a winding down period. I’ll go to bed feeling peaceful and relaxed.
The challenge now is to sustain this slower, more relaxed pace. Speaking of challenges, I’d like to challenge you to slow down for the next thirty minutes and let me know if your results are consistent with mine.
I look forward to slowly reading your stories!
HERE ARE MY POSTS FEATURING ECKHART TOLLE:
ECKHART TOLLE ON BECOMING THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
ECKHART TOLLE ON ALLEVIATING THE SUFFERING OF THE WORLD
ECKHART TOLLE ON THE CIRCULAR TRAP OF CONSUMERISM
ECKHART TOLLE ON CONSCIOUS PARENTING
ECKHART TOLLE: AWAKE IN THE DREAM
ARE SPIRITUAL PEOPLE BETTER THAN OTHERS? NOT SO MUCH.
DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE
WHEN THE SPIRIT IS READY, THE TEACHER APPEARS
MASTERS CONTINUE TO WALK THE EARTH
THERE IS GREATNESS WITHIN YOU!
EVERY CUBIC INCH OF SPACE IS A MIRACLE
BE PRESENT, BE POWERFUL, BE TIMELESS!
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, a comprehensive guide to living a spiritual life. Who will benefit from reading it?
Anyone who is on a spiritual path, or wants to start one
Anyone who loves life, or wants to learn how to
Anyone who is happy, or wants to be happier
To order your copy of Through God’s Eyes, go to GodsEyesOrder.com OR order from Amazon at GodsEyesAmazon.com OR for an inscribed copy, click here to e-mail Phil for information.
Click here for more information about Through God’s Eyes.
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Here is a two-minute video introduction to Through God’s Eyes.
Want to learn more about Through God’s Eyes? Here is a free 40-page PDF sampler from the book that includes:
• an overview of the book
• the complete table of contents
• the Foreword by Caroline Myss
• my Introduction
• chapter excerpts
• a sample end-of-chapter story
• endorsements from authors and thought leaders
Just click on the link below to download your free PDF sampler!
THROUGH GOD’S EYES PDF SAMPLER
Schedule a Mastery Mentoring phone session with Phil to learn how to apply principles of spiritual living more effortlessly and effectively. Priced affordably! Click here to e-mail Phil for details.
Phil is also the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
Here is a three-minute video that introduces you to Phil and his book. Click here to order Sixty Seconds. Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories. Click here to read unsolicited testimonials from readers. Learn more by visiting the official Sixty Seconds website.
Sixty Seconds was one of three finalists in the General Interest/How-To category at the 12th annual Visionary Awards presented by COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) in Denver on June 27, 2009.
Tags: breathe slowly and deeply, calmer, mindful, peaceful, relaxed, slow down
