Slowness, privilege of the elders or philosophy of life?

Reading time: 2 min.
Translation: Régine Paradis

In less than 2 decades, we have become speed addicts. Children and adults alike are sucked into the race of the fast.

From childhood onwards, the Hurry up; daycare, school, sports, this or that class. To continue as an adult; work, vacations, family, social networks, selfie on selfie.

This turns into a daily marathon, to participate in a way of life that we hardly take the time to choose.

The leitmotiv of Quick Quick Quick.

More than a century ago, Gandhi already said, “There is more to life, than increasing its speed.”

Did you know that Quebecers have established “The Day of Slowness”? In fact, since 2011, June 21st is the date celebrated by several countries as the day of slowness.

More than that, a hundred cities in the world have obtained the label of “Capital of Slowness”. Cittaslow is an international movement of “slow cities”, whose symbol is the snail. The aim is to enable citizens to enjoy their own city in a simple and pleasant way.

Slowness becomes a fundamental need to get to know ourselves. If we don’t take the time to listen to ourselves, our body will speak loudly enough for us to hear it. If not through illness, age will take care of it.

Do we have to wait until we retire to enjoy the luxury of slowness?

When an elder has no choice but to slow down, he discovers a certain kind of wisdom in not letting himself being rushed. He appreciates the benefit of focusing on the present moment. He takes the time to listen and thus to have a better understanding of others and of himself. He has the time, and the duty, to choose the activities that stimulate him and give him pleasure.

Do we have to wait until retirement to expect to start slowing down? Thankfully not.

To do so, a certain discipline is required.

For busy people, start by simplifying your schedule. Take breaks to listen to the silence and enjoy your meal calmly.

In a video on the quest for happiness, Maitreya Rael teaches us that the first tool of happiness is to be S.L.O.W. (See the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m55F0vEmxw.)

That this slowness must be based on 3 points to be right: “The thought, the word, as well as the slow action.”

To train to be as slow as possible in everything we experience, Rael has provided us with tools in the form of 3 meditations:

• “Feeling now”
• ” Meditation on emptiness “
• And especially the one ” Stop thinking “

In addition to this teaching, Maitreya invites us to feel our bodies by dancing slowly, without technique, without thought. Dancing only for the pleasure of being.

Practicing slowness leads us to contemplation.

Being in contemplation, « means allowing the sounds to elevate us, allowing the colours to illuminate us, hearing our heart beating, allowing the silence to penetrate us.

Contemplation is not just auditory or visual. Real contemplation is done using all our senses, either together or separately… that is what it means to be in harmony with everything around you. – Rael, The Maitreya p. 52-53 PDF format

If every morning when we wake up we take the time to stretch and decide to listen to ourselves, then we have control of our present moment, our day, and our life. No need to wait until we become an elder.