SLOW DOWN FRIENDS!

 

That principle of that renowned, autonomous college was busy 24x7, He was to retire next year. The staff wondered why he was; now experiencing episodic depression. Did he fail to practise a gradual slowdown.

She was forever a superior. She is now a simple member in that convent, full of young sisters... Some were doing their Msc; others teaching in the high school. This ex mother can't bear many of them their laughter, their boisterous talk, their not coming for prayer. She often has become so cynical. She feels restless at nights.

He is a much loved parish priest.. Youth group, charismatics, four sodalities “ I started them”. His transfer is due. And he starts a big, four year project!! A 2 crores Parish hall. He dreads his transfer to that village where he will be forced to slow down... with nothing much to do.

As a young priest, I never cared for this slow down. Life was hectic.... there was no time for my meditation. I even labelled some conferers as “lazy” “lethargic” “gossip mongers” I was, Formator, builder, missionary, preacher... all bundled in to one I felt so elated when they said, “you are very efficient very effective”. And I ridiculed some wise colleagues who advised me to slow down. 

What is slow down? According to me it is a progressive detachment in the journey of life. , Mind you, slowing down doesn't mean non-involvement In the community or society. Slowing down means gaining the ability to sweetly step outside the glamour of position and power. And you are able to rejoice in the beautiful things happening around you... Slowing down doesn’t mean you own nothing! Slowing down means ‘nothing owns me!’

Erich fromm (Psychologist, Famous for client centred therapy) has cautioned: nothing owns me ! if you don't slow down, progressively or magnanimously, right from your young age, you may have to pay a great price in later years, in the form of grief, depression or some addictions.

Why in Sweden, which is not so religious country, have we very high happiness index? Answer? Even children practise “DOSTADING” it means decluttering your life from unnecessary things_ Anything you don’t use for more than a year, give it away! Result? Life is relaxed, at ease!!

Australian aborigines have a nice existential philosophy, “We are all visitors to this time and space... our purpose is to learn to love and then go home”.

In Lion King (Movie), the small, restless baby lion gets the advice, “Hakuna matata”... why worry unnecessarily? Relax! “IKIGAI" of the Japanese village teaches us something similar: “Live well, with one thing at a time.... learn to be just your truest and best self. Most people there live long life.”

Julian Mantle (In “THE MONK WHO SOLD HIS FERRARI” by Robin Sharma) was a very very busy, super rich lawyer. But his fast paced life was unexpectedly hit. He got a heart attack. What to do? He gave away everything.... came to India and practised meditation. He became a happy person, and a slowdown consultant!

Archbishop Desmond Tutu in his famous book “No future, without forgiveness”, insists not to internalise the bitter past... that attitude will only make you more sad ann restless. ‘Ubuntu’ (Humanity to others) philosophy of some African tribes is a powerful antidose to the rat race of modern life ... “How can one of us be happy, when others are left behind So the children, in a apple basket game, went slowly together, and all caught the basket and all shared it!”

Fr. Henry Nouven was highly qualified professor (Religion and psychology). While lecturing in a Harvard University, a student questioned him. He realised his highly tense life...! He left everything and joined L’ARCHE community in France in 1985. He served the children there, some with severe learning disabilities. It is there, in the slowdown lifestyle, he wrote several best sellers.

Jesus lived with both types of disciples: In built slow down personality. of John brought him came very close to Jesus. Peter, too exuberant, bubbly lifestyle man, was mellowed by the Lord till finally he could say, “Lord you know everything, you know I love you!”

Jesus quite often went away, to a secluded place, to pray! Sometimes he prayed for the whole night. He taught his disciples also to slow down. Let us get away from the crowds for a while and rest (mark 6:31).

In a recent Twitter Pope said, “Only a heart that is not taken over by hastiness is capable of being moved..... Let us learn to take a break, turn off the mobile phone, to get into the eyes of others... to cultivate silence, to contemplate nature, to regenerate ourselves in dialogue with God.

 

FRIEND, SLOW DOWN!