In Tao Te Ching, Zen philosopher Lao Tzu writes, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

To the aware, nature is probably one of the greatest teachers. And one of its most important lessons is to live slowly.

Does it mean cutting down your aspirations?

Or putting away all the technology?

Not at all…

Slow living uses the word “slow” to remind us to reduce the fast pace of life in the modern world. All that it implies is to live at the right pace, with full immersion in the present moment. This can seem simple but is one of the hardest things for our over-stimulated minds in this connected world.

Breathe. Be present.

When Lao Tzu says that “Nature does not hurry,” all he means is that Nature operates at the right pace. And when you apply the same lesson to your life, you will be surprised how easily stress fades away. It is about savoring the moments instead of tracking their passage. It is the way of the balance, the way of the Tao.

The balance of slow does not mean you set lower goals and standards. It means you commit to one goal at a time and give your all to it. You do not try to juggle multiple things and induce unnecessary stress. When your work’s nature deems it balanced, you move on to the next goal, and so on.

Going slow does not mean you shift back in years, giving up all the technological progress. It means you use your gadgets in moderation, using them just like a master would intend, not as their slave. You stay aware of the time spent and value derived. Once done, you move on to the next task, slowly, at the right pace.

You will be surprised how much can be accomplished when no time is wasted, and the right task is done at the right time. Slowly, you wake up, do your work, take a walk, have some food, take a nap, work a bit more, meet your loved ones, reflect on the day, and go to sleep. This is all that’s there, but without any leakage of time.

Above all, slow living opens up the reflective state of mind in all the moments, so that you never find yourself reacting. You experience with all your senses and respond with pure intent. You are always in the present moment, never ahead or behind it.

Be here, now 😊