Learning to Slow Down: Internal vs. External Busyness
| INTERNAL "When you don't have an immediate task at hand, do you find yourself still spinning internally, wondering what you have forgotten to do?" (Kempton, Sally). | EXTERNAL Simply put, "having a lot to do – juggling a job, children and all the tasks of running your life" (Kempton, Sally). |
The Internal Busyness Syndrome
Activity addiction is like any other addiction – there is a need for MORE. On a rudimentary level, being busy nourishes the ego's need to feel important. However, the ego's addiction to busyness has at its core a terror of its own emptiness. The ego feels, "If I am busy, that means I exist. I am worthwhile, I am wanted." Our culture supports this premise that busyness commensurates productivity and importance. A few simple practices to slow down, come back to your core self and find stillness (page 39).
Anti-rushing"Stop. Stand or sit totally for one full minute. First, say to yourself, "I have all the time in the world." Then, bring to mind the image of a buddha in meditation. Hold the thought of the image in your mind while you breathe deeply and slowly five times. Keep that image in your mind as you continue on your way." (Kempton, Sally). Your Real Self"Stop. Close your eyes. Ask yourself, "When I'm not busy, not productive, who am I? When I'm not thinking, not moving around, not emotionally engaged, who am I?" Instead of looking for a verbal answer, tune into the space that opens up right after the question" (Kempton, Sally).  |  Discovering Stillness "Begin to sway your body slowly from side to side, inhaling to one side, exhaling to the other. At the end of each movement, notice the pause. Tune in to the pause on the right side, then on the left. Focus on the pause for a few seconds, then let the movement flow from that. Do this for two minutes" (Kempton, Sally). |
Kempton, Sally. "Learn To Slow Down" Yoga Journal 2015: 39. Print.
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