Back in 2014, when I was an active member of SF Insight (a meditation group in SF), I wrote the following article for their in-house print journal. I’m not sure if they even do a journal anymore like this, but at the time it was quite an honor to be in it. Recently I ran across a physical copy among my things and I’d like to reproduce it here, both for posterity and because I think everything in here is still true and relevant. Some of this still feels fresh.
Downloadable Life: How Can We Cultivate Patience in a Time Of Instant Gratification?
The human mind is like a car; aim it, crank up the engine, and it gladly moves. But once you gas up the engine, it keeps moving in the same direction, speeding up until you put on the brakes or turn the wheel. When ewe engage the pace of life in a modern city, we “push the pedal” on our mental energy. Then, when it’s time to slow down, to sleep or just to have a moment’s rest, we’re often surprised by our mental momentum. So what can we do to “downshift” our mind’s pace? Here are some concrete tips for practicing with life in a modern city.
Cover the Basics. No practice could allow you to self-regulate if you were tired, wired, or feeling ill. So take care of the basics first: get plenty of sleep, lay off the caffeine, and get some exercise. These habits will cultivate the “gas in your tank” your “car” needs to run.
Check Your Speed. Pay attention to the pace of life you choose. Much like we glance down occasionally at the speedometer to verify our own assumptions about our speed when driving, we need to glance at the speed of our minds to make sure they haven’t raced out of control.
Practice Patient Consumption. If you want to watch an episode of 30 Rock and iTunes can give it to you in five seconds, then why not watch? Only, try to watch util you’re satiated and then stop. If you can put the fork down halfway through a piece of cake, perhaps you can stop short of consuming a whole season in one sitting.
Micro-Meditate. Find opportunities to pause and take a deep breath. Wherever you happen to be - in line at the store, driving, surfing the web. With your mind’s eye, take a “snapshot” of where you are. Imagine what this moment might feel like if you remembered it five or ten years from now.
Remember Your Animal Side. No matter how much we may want to deny it, we’re animals. Social animals at that. It’s in our nature to interact with others. Do you want to call a friend and have lunch? Go for it! Remind your monkey mind that you belong to a community of warm human beings who care about you.
Live The Examined Life. The internet is a tool, and as with any tool, what matters most is how we use it. If your intention is to have fun, great! Just make sure you actually are having fun. When you find yourself clicking on a site you’re not sure you even want to read, put the mouse down and take a break. Your great-grandparents probably once felt overwhelmed by radio, television, cars and highways. Have faith in the resilience of the human spirit, find the smile on your face, and take a deep breath.
