Always rushing, never enough time, having too much to do is our reality. Why do we rush?
We sometimes feel that our schedule controls us and because we are smart, caring and committed people, we can always add just one more thing. Even now when many of us are working at home, we feel we have little time, and we continue to rush. It has become so ingrained, so much a part of our lives that we never ask ourselves why we are rushing. We assume it is because of the burden of responsibilities and abundance of activity.
Rushing is the mindset of running away from something. It is an expression of my state of mind, not the number of responsibilities I have. Overactivity is a product of running away from my feelings.
When the soul has become separated from the innate experience of peace, then feelings of worry, inadequacy and dissatisfaction invade our inner world and anxiety and fear emerge. Fear creates a stress reaction in the body, driving us to move faster. This response makes us feel temporarily better, but then becomes part of the problem as it fuels further stress and anxiety. No matter how much we do and how fast we get things done, we cannot outrun the feelings, they are still there, hidden behind the rushing. It becomes a vicious cycle, and as a result we are unable to enjoy the present moment.
What to do?
Slowing down seems like an impossible feat. To do this we need to start making friends with now. Meditation is about tasting the satisfaction of being still in the present moment, a stark contrast to rushing.
In meditation, we stop and acknowledge the discomfort inside. We begin to see the futility of overactivity and the soul’s longing for peace. With courage, we face the root feelings and dismantle ineffective coping strategies. We begin to see ourselves and our lives from a different perspective. We settle into the natural experience of peace in the present moment.
When we slow the mind, we become calmer, more discerning and can determine what is most important in the moment. Increased clarity, born of stillness, opens my awareness to new solutions. Time seems to expand. In these moments we connect with the Divine source and draw energy to empower an accurate response. Paradoxically, we accomplish more, with greater ease, and we move with dignity between activities, even when there are many things to do in a day.
By focusing on our inner power, the strength and divine energy of the soul, we begin to let go of our fixation on the future… the next task, the next job, the next accomplishment… and start to enjoy ourselves ‘now’.
By letting go of rushing we become friends with now and learn to bring our best selves to the present moment. Then we are satisfied and content.
Judy Johnson coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris meditation centre in Halifax, Canada.