Speed seems to be a phenomenon of our time. We say that we are racing, that the world seems to turn faster than ever.
Why?
Through industrialisation life became faster, and a more mechanical aspect to life was introduced. It brought a lot of great developments yet also a side effect which I doubt we are completely aware of.
Speed in the mind, like planning for the future or being in the past is a very effective way of not being in the moment. It prevents us from connecting to ourselves.
Speed has a price.
A price to our body, to our soul.
Emotions need time. Also if we might have understood something in our mind, it doesn’t necessarily mean we have digested it emotionally.
Slowness brings us in contact with our body. With our breath. With our emotions. With ourselves.
Listen to following magically slow piece by Olivier Messiaen. Imagine you are in a huge cathedral. Light is coming in through the windows and is split into a bouquet of colours. Listen how the harmonies are changing – slowly.
Messiaen: L’Ascension IV. Prière du Christ montant vers son Père, Naji Hakim:
