Mindfulness and the importance of slowing down in a fast-paced society

Modern society is characterized by an era of constant speed, where individuals feel pressured to respond immediately to messages, meet deadlines, and achieve milestones like career success or home ownership without delay. This culture of immediacy often leads to a sense of guilt when attempting to slow down or rest, as people feel they are constantly falling behind an invisible race.

Drawing on experiences from practicing walking meditation as a Theravada monk in the forests of Habarana, Sri Lanka, Selene Calloni Williams suggests that slowing down is a way to inhabit the present moment. The practice involves returning to physical sensations, such as the weight of the feet on the ground or the rhythm of breathing, to counteract the mental urge to always be elsewhere. Rather than treating the guilt of resting as an order to be followed, it can be acknowledged as a passing thought while maintaining stillness.