By Kimine Mayuzumi
In Part I of “inspiring quotes about slowing down,” I introduced some quotes on what prevents us from slowing down. Today, I am excited to share Part II, regarding what are important ingredients for slowing down.
Words can be powerful when you digest them not only with your mind but also with your heart. These quotes are gentle reminders for you to pay attention to and be mindful of what you do.
Having a right mindset helps you experience the power of words. For example, I just took a walk to empty my mind. I came back, sat in a quiet environment, and read the quotes below. It helped me tremendously observe every single word. I suggest you also sit in a quiet environment and read them as if you are talking to yourself gently.
Here they are:
“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future; live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.” (Thich Nhat Hanh)
“When you become identified more with the timeless inner body than with the outer body, when presence becomes your normal mode of consciousness and past and future no longer dominate your attention, you do not accumulate time anymore in your psyche and in the cells of the body.” (Eckhart Tolle)
“How we handle the present moment is the key to transforming suffering.” (Thich Nhat Hanh)
“The joy of non-doing is that nothing else needs to happen for this moment to be complete.” (Jon Kabat-Zinn)
“Less is more.” (Koji Matsunobu)
“Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.” (Jules Renard)
“Slow, deep breathing is important because it lowers the level of tension in your body. … Deep breathing is like an anchor in the midst of an emotional storm: the anchor won’t get rid of the storm, but it will hold you steady until it passes.” (Russ Harris)
“When you sit with strong intentionality, the body itself makes a statement of deep conviction and commitment in its carriage.” (Jon Kabat-Zinn)
“The action out of silence is entirely different from the action born of the word; meditation is the freeing of the mind from all symbols, images and remembrances.” (Jidu Krishnamurti)
“As much as we must make a conscious effort to reach out to our children, we must also make a conscious effort to “reach out” to ourselves, paying attention to our own needs and desires.” (Julia Cameron)
How was your experience reading the words above? Would you like to add more quotes to the list?
Photo credit to Peka