The Speed of Life

The Speed of Life

There is a lot we can do in the fast lane– we can grow and expand But we cannot deepen, and we cannot integrate our experiences,  unless we slow down.

Angeles Arrien Cited in Mystical Hours

Brother Teasdale offers his perspective on Dr. Arrien’s words about the pace of life:

“Deepening and integration require contemplation. In our more lucid moments, we all grasp this fundamental truth that anthropologist Angeles Arriens, author of Signs of Life, emphasizes here.

If we are always racing around, we won’t develop our relationship with the Divine. Contemplation needs time, a kind of holy leisure, if it is to unfold and blossom.

Contemplation is one of the best ways to achieve access to the depths and bring about final integration, in which we discover the roots of our being. 

When we deepen and find integration of our important experiences, we also find common ground with all other sentient beings. To enter into the depths of realization, 

We must slow down and make contemplation a singular priority in our lives.”

There is little doubt about it… Our frantic and multitasking contemporary culture has done a splendid job at creating distractions, adding to cultural lag, and exalting a world of flashing images and irrelevant information.

It has succeeded beyond any modest measure to make traditional and ordinary avenues of contemplation seem non-existent, and has reduced available times of peace and reflection to be nearly impossible to include in one’s daily life!

As Gandhi once remarked,“there is more to life than increasing its speed.” Yet that cogent fact is ignored, as the most common response from our economic and media driven society is to increase the speed, while reducing both the merit and methods of our thinking!

Any time that would be freely elected or given to contemplation has become reserved only when you are sick, retired, broke, or for some irrational incomprehensible reason, decide that the spiritual component of your life is meaningful!

OK… What can be done to add more of a contemplative dimension to our lives? 

First, I wholeheartedly reject the familiar notion that our economic work has to reign supreme; and as a consequence, we all need less sleep, less exercise, less attention to good nutrition, less family time, or less time practicing self-care, and promoting a healthy environment for all!

What can be done once we realize the entrapment of economic expectations and societal priorities? It is a hard won battle with little or few victories. Yet, since the pandemic, there are some truly hopeful outcomes, and signs of transformation of our work world that will offer more opportunities for contemplation, rest, healing, and self-care.

As I see it, one of the most redemptive outcomes of Covid has been the advent of remote learning, and even more so, remote working situations. There are more opportunities for meditation, exercise, and de-stressing activities that should slow us down, and bring us back to balance and equanimity.