The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: A Journey to Mindfulness and Inner Peace
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily life—endless to-do lists, deadlines, and the constant buzz of notifications. But what if the key to true happiness lies not in doing more, but in slowing down? In The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim offers profound wisdom on how to cultivate calm, mindfulness, and meaningful connections in a chaotic world.
Why Slow Down?
Haemin Sunim begins by asking a simple yet transformative question:
“When everything around me is moving so fast, I stop and ask, ‘Is it the world that’s busy, or is it my mind?’”
Our perception of busyness often stems from our own minds, not the external world. By slowing down, we create space to observe our thoughts, emotions, and surroundings with clarity. This shift in perspective allows us to see what truly matters.
Key Lessons from the Book
- Rest and Reset
- When life disappoints, pause and rest. Surround yourself with loved ones, watch a silly movie, or take a solo trip to reconnect with yourself.
- “Love yourself despite your imperfections. Do you not feel compassion for yourself as you struggle through life?”
- Befriend Your Emotions
- Negative emotions like anger or jealousy are temporary. Instead of suppressing them, observe them like passing clouds in the sky.
- “Awareness is inherently pure, like the open sky. Stress, irritation, and anger can temporarily cloud the sky, but they can never pollute it.”
- The Art of Relationships
- Good relationships require balance—like sitting by a fireplace: too close, and you get burned; too far, and you miss the warmth.
- “Speak from your heart, which is tender, simple, and true. People will understand you, and like you.”
- The Power of Forgiveness
- Forgiveness is not for the other person but for your own freedom.
- “The person who betrayed you and left—forgive them. Not for them, but for your own sake. So you can be free. So you can be happy.”
- Finding Your Calling
- Explore diverse experiences, read widely, and listen to your heart. Your path may not be linear, but each step teaches you something valuable.
- “Measure your self-worth not with the balance of your bank account but with the frequency of your generosity.”
- Spiritual Connection
- Whether through prayer, meditation, or simple acts of kindness, spirituality is about deepening your connection to yourself and others.
- “As your faith and spiritual practice deepen, the sense of a separate self or ego diminishes, leaving more room for divinity to fill your heart.”
Final Reflection The Things You Can
Haemin Sunim’s teachings remind us that wisdom is not something we must strive to acquire—it arises naturally when we slow down and notice what’s already there. By pausing, we reconnect with our “original face,” the pure awareness that exists beneath our busy thoughts and emotions.
“Only when we slow down can we finally see clearly our relationships, our thoughts, our pain. As we slow down, we are no longer tangled in them. We can step out and appreciate them for what they are.”
Your Turn
How do you practice slowing down in your daily life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Inspired by The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim. Available wherever books are sold.
Tags: #Mindfulness #SlowLiving #SelfCompassion #ZenWisdom #InnerPeace
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