Speed in work has compensations. Speed gets noticed. Speed is praised by others. Speed is self-important. Speed absolves us. Speed means we don't really belong to any particular thing or person we are visiting and thus appears to elevate us above the ground of our labors.
When it becomes all-consuming, speed is the ultimate defense, the antidote to stopping and really looking. If we really saw what we were doing and who we had become, we feel we might not survive the stopping and the accompanying self-appraisal. So we don't stop, and the faster we go, the harder it becomes to stop. We keep moving on whenever any form of true commitment seems to surface.
Speed is also warning, a throbbing, insistent indicator that some cliff edge or other is very near, a sure diagnostic sign that we are living someone else's life and doing someone else's work. But speed saves us the pain of all that stopping; speed can be such a balm, a saving grace, a way we tell ourselves, in unconscious ways, that we are really not participating.
"The great tragedy of speed as an answer to the complexities and responsibilities of existence is that very soon we cannot recognize anything or anyone who is not traveling at the same velocity as we are. We see only those moving in the same whirling orbit and only those moving with the same urgency. Soon we begin to suffer a form of amnesia, caused by the blurred vision of velocity itself, where those germane to our humanity are dropped from our minds one by one. We start to lose sight of any colleagues who are moving at a slower pace, and we start to lose sight of the bigger, slower cycles that underlie our work. We especially lose sight of the big, unfolding wave form passing through our lives that is indicative of our central character.
On the personal side, as slaves to speed, we start to lose sight of family members, especially children, or those who are ill or infirm, who are not flying through the world as quickly and determinedly as we are. Just as seriously, we begin to leave behind the parts of our own selves that limp a little, the vulnerabilities that actually give us color and character. We forget that our sanity is dependent on a relationship with longer, more patient cycles extending beyond the urgencies and madness of the office."
--David Whyte
Seed Questions for Reflection
What is your relationship with speed? What can we do to start believing that we have time? Can you share a personal story of an experience that came from the belief "I have time?"
My vocation in life is working with horses to begin the process of healing. Healing of the body, the mind, and the spirit (equine therapy, a restoration). I also work with horses as an equine bodyworker that they too may experience healing of body, mind, and spirit. Horses do not have a concept of time and therefore they continually remind me to slow down, to breathe, to be. Unfortunately, for many horses, just like people, domestication has trapped them in a continual sympathetic state where they are caught in an endless state of flight, fight, or frozen (speed). Horses have become machines for profit. Using the very technique they have taught me I invite the horse to once again return to a state of being a horse, they are given permission to simply be. As a result of my life with horses I view all of life through the eyes of the horse.
MH
Mike Holsten
Feb 18, 2025
When I slow down I can see Jesus more clearly. When I pause in a moment I can hear Jesus inviting me to live in the moment with Him. He is not passing through the moments of life going to some other time. When I live in moments with Him instead of just passing through them, I feel satisfaction in being, in patience, and in confidence with Him.
AN
Anne
Jul 16, 2024
Beware of the barrenness of a busy life. Socrates. These words were the brakes that woke me to my workaholic behaviour that was killing me with my body wracked with Ulcerative Colitis but my mind determined to overcome
TE
Trissa Elkins
Jun 8, 2022
I see my own company and my role in the desperate push to shorten our cycle times. Its completely at odds with the values that individuals have to explore and discover. I never have time anymore and it is driving me crazy. When I have time, I can get ideas, I can set things important to me in motion and I can relate to my family when I get home.
KH
Karolyn Hawker
Jun 8, 2022
Naturally "energetic" I have been and still catch myself being a slave to speed. At least I now recognize it. I ran a successful business for 17 years with this affliction - luckily I had an assistant who was well aware of this issue. She made it her business to catch each instance that I overlooked or agreed to something without actually understanding or reading through a document. I learned a few interesting lessons - Great to read this insight - my grown children will also attest to me nodding my head, being able to repeat everything they said, but not retain the knowledge at all. Luckily I've slowed my life down and am super aware.
JH
John Houghton
Jun 7, 2022
This is profound, the relationship between speed and sense of self and surroundings. I am aware as I read this that I've always felt behind, and that I've lived in a sense of manufactured urgency to deal with it.
GF
Georganne Ford
Jun 7, 2022
10 years ago I lost sight of the importance of close relationships in my life. Working with a great coach bought this to the surface which allowed me to choose to make a big change and go back to building the relationships that matter most to me!
KM
Kate McCaul
Jun 7, 2022
Speed tries to trick you into the state of human doing instead of human being. When I slow down and reflect before doing, I find I only have to do about a quarter of the things I thought I needed to do, and I end up sidestepping needless distractions. (Gosh, how do I make myself remember this in the heat of the urgent moment??)
GY
Gary Yeatts
Jun 6, 2022
I realize I can prioritize and schedule. When I do this, I relax, use learning theory, complete tasks in the order of priority and ROI.
SG
S. Gopalakrishnan
Jan 9, 2022
Speed is a double edged knife. While it puts us in the limelight, it also sucks us into a vicious circle.
I was once put into such an orbit, that you believed that there is no way out of the orbit. The faster you go the exit is blurred. It is a scary experience that you seem to have got into a whirlwind trap and is addictive.
To get of the saddle and slowdown needs courage conviction and belief in yourself. It takes time and you need to create an ambience fir the three essentials to germinate before you can slowdown and get off the saddle.
The taste if "Your tym" allows you to unwind and dictate the pace of speed and attune yourself to it!
PB
patrick blomqvist
Oct 27, 2021
Skammerens datter tekst
PD
Polli DeWalt
Feb 24, 2021
Much in the article was familiar to me; loosing sight of the bigger cycles, loosing sight of those around us who matter, and the insidious rewards from choosing speed. I've found when I'm in a state of speed, mypursuit of mastery becomes elusive and my joy in a process is often sacrificed. I've traveled from Canada to Mexico via several modalities: by plane, by convertible and by bicycle. The slowest method, by bicycle was the most rich, most memorable and most connected. As Susan Lord noted in her comment, the slowest method was, "luxuriously expansive". How we travel through life is a choice. Having time is also a choice. We choose what to make time for.
SL
Susan Lord
Feb 24, 2021
At 72, I realize not only that I cannot keep up the previous pace of my life, but also that I no longer have any desire to do that. It's an interesting process to slow down, to gradually drop out of the whirlwind. I'm not there yet, but something big in me (is it my teenager?) just says no. I'm a very active yogi, but 6 years ago I broke my hip and had to walk with a cane for a while. I loved it! I loved walking slowly and carefully, experiencing everything around me. I started driving slowly as well. The nature of time changed. It became luxuriously expansive- I heard myself say to myself over and over, "I have just the right amount of time." And I did- I had stopped rushing and ironically was rarely ever late.
SM
Suparna Malhotra
Feb 21, 2021
Living in a fast-paced city like London, I now try to live my life at my own pace which is slower. Not an easy task, when society considers slow as being sub-standard.
What will it take for me to accept that?
ZM
Zenobia Mistri
Feb 19, 2021
An interesting reflection on speed; i can only think of speed as the very opposite of what is required when searching for the answer to intricate, difficult , persistent problems. Determination in such situations require time the enemy of speed.
CK
Caroline Kroll
Feb 18, 2021
KG
Kathy Gannett
Aug 27, 2020
Thank you. It's such a challenge to breathe and slow down.
SE
Sandra Ellington
Apr 15, 2020
I prepare for each coaching call prior to the call, same day, so that I'm prepared for where the client wants to go. I use a pre-session template which is very helpful.
AS
Asha Sridhar
Feb 18, 2020
I live in fast-paced Hong Kong and these past few years has all been about running just to stay in one place. These past few weeks have been an about-turn, with the outbreak of coronavirus. Suddenly, I seem to have the gift of time and I am reveling in it. My daughter is home from school and I am enjoying the time with her. While I have enjoyed the hustle-bustle of Hong Kong, now I feel that I have the time to contemplate, to figure out what is really important for me.
JB
Joseph Branch
Feb 17, 2020
I haven't lived in a fast-paced Western culture for more than 20 years, but I've noticed much to my chagrin that I still over-load my schedule and I still want to accomplish as much as I can in the hours, days and years I have. "Retirement" has slowed me down a bit, but an 8-month sabbatical in 2018, and the resulting balance and focus and weekly day of rest and reflection has helped me to be more peaceful, influential, and as a result, productive.
SP
sophia Primus
Feb 15, 2020
I am at a point where I feel like I dont have time so the urgency of time tugs at me to move fast and faster but the race is on my mind only ; as I try to move fast I realize that the things that I need to do , despite the fact that age is slowly reducing my time on earth, time on the job, time to find another career, requires me to slow down. sharpening the saw takes time, it cannot be rushed.
RH
Rekha Hatkanalalekar
Feb 18, 2019
This is so true... Speed is a way of not wanting to confront reality because of fear of what that reality would entail. Its also therefore a way of avoiding responsibility for the consequences of reality. My personal escape mechanism of denial is not speed but sleep, which has very similar consequences; of withdrawing from life and living and losing touch with whats happening around. I have experienced this speed from others however, and know how it feels like to constantly try to catch up or be left behind!
AN
Angelikka
Feb 16, 2019
Speed gets noticed. I used to worry that I wasn't fast enough to be good enough, I lacked the confidence to believe that my pace was just right for me. When I reached the realization that it only mattered to me, I was pleasantly surprised when those I used to admire stopped to ask me what it was that gave me such peace.
Even in the corporate world, the executives we finally respect are the ones who take their time and accomplish a great deal more.
CA
Car
Nov 4, 2018
Hi... great article!
I believe through the years of facing challenging and happy times in life, chasing carreer goals , etc.. having gratitude for the journey helps me stay grounded, thankful and believe there is a time for everything. Ive learnt that i cannot rush the stages in my life, because i will miss the vital lesssons along the way that were meant to equip me to face the stage in my life...
In this belief, you are more patient with yourself, and when you feel you are ready again... your gut will guide your way. the trick is to be still enough to listen to it:-)
JI
jin
Aug 28, 2016
nice
CM
Chris Martin
Feb 9, 2015
Such a rush to do nothing at all
Such a fuss to get nowhere at all
Such a rush, such a rush
And it's just like you said
It's just like you said
So slow down please
Just slow down
So slow down please
Just slow down
Such a rush
Look at all the people
Going after money
Far too many people
Looking for their money
Everybody's out there
Trying to get money
Why can't you just tell me?
Trying to get money, rush
–– "Such A Rush" by Coldplay
AT
Adria TrowhillFeb 24, 2021
Financial success has become the new aphrodisiac for people who then always want more money.In my opinion there are good reasons for this-it's keep up with the "Jones's or you will get left behind. How can we shift our cultural values in th direction of gratitude and generosity vs selfishness and greed? How can we come to place more value on reflective leadership?
How often I have experienced this at work - everyone rushing forward with no time to consider long-term impact, look back at previous iterations or assess feasibility with any depth. In the mad rush to "do" or to "make our mark," often the very purpose for our work is even overlooked. I am grateful for having become more mindful at home.
My first born is a Senior in High School this year. As we filled out college applications and it dawned on me that my baby will be going off to college in fall, my priorities underwent a sea change. "I always have time now" for whenever we are able to spend time together. She sometimes likes to just have a cup of tea with me or we watch HGTV together or cuddle on the sofa; she is finishing up homework and I am sitting at the other side of the dining table..but I am with her. This of course was not the case before; I always had the "to do" list. But once I started believing that I needed to spend time with her," I was able to have time.'
RO
Rose O'Connor
Jan 26, 2015
This is the most perfect thing I needed to read at this stage in my life. I can see how I have always tried to do everything in a hurry as if that was the most important thing in the world. I was so impatient with anyone who did not rush and do things quickly like I did. Then my son was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, I lost my job and my whole world came crashing down. I suffered from depression for a long time and that helped me slow down. Reading this has just made me realize that this was my story. I am now living at a lot slower pace and starting to cherish the slowness and appreciate the slowness of others.
VI
Vicki
Sep 7, 2013
This has got me really thinking about how I zoom around,loosing the experience of a moment!Days blend into each other,leaving me with the terrible thought that I miss so many precious moments 'not smelling the roses'
Though I can agree with some of the ill effects of speed mentioned by David White, I feel his is a far too gloomy and negative assessment of speed. There are situations were speed is essential. A more balanced assessment would have been better. Perhaps Mr. White and I define speed differently.:)
MA
MarcusApr 23, 2013
Taking a few bursts of speed every now and then is OK, the problem is when people start living permanently in high speed and can't decelerate anymore. I think this is what David Whyte was talking about =)
SO
someoneApr 24, 2013
i can see that he is talking about those times when we are so busy that anything which slows us down does not fit in. We dont smile, cant care, we are just running fast to achieve God knows what! We don't see to have patience and listening and start losing on loving relations. We may realize that we missed a lot when we stop by due to some failure or problem and see that we actually did not live at all.
AJ
ajApr 25, 2013
Live and Love today, Special and Chosen one. Start today. With or without speed, start today . . . always remembering in the story of "The Tortoise and the Hare" who won the race! (Not that winning matters) No matter how insignificant our lives "feel", at times, the least is considered the best in/to the only Eyes that really matter!
Today!
In all things, love,
To all you meet, love
love to someone!
Excellent posting. When I came to the BrahmaKumaris 26 years ago, I realised then that speed was not such a great thing. I was cooking lunch one day for about 20 souls who had gathered for a workshop. Being an Obstetrician, I was always used to speed. I started cooking also with great speed. At that time,I thought the senior sister would be impressed. After about an hour, the senior sister came to me and said that I should cook with love, peace and calm. I should cook with a gentle touch with no noise. I should be an angel cooking and serving the world. She said that my hurried attitude will go in the food and the souls will not be able to digest all those hormones of hurry and speed that went into the food. I immediately slowed down. I remembered the Supreme Soul and continued my cooking in a gentle loving atmosphere. Made a lot of difference to me. I felt light, loved and embraced by God. Om Shanti !
MA
MayaJun 20, 2013
Sis Asha, that is a beautiful example of how we can slow down. I think our Western culture hasn't quite caught onto this, but it's so much easier to embrace when one retires. I do think the importance of slowing down is being accepted my the few, and I believe it will keep spreading. I hope so because I believe it's one answer to peace.
I often find myself feeling guilty for taking time to have time. This passage is very timely for me. My father just passed away a week ago, and it's funny, when something like that happens, everything in life gets put on hold. But even though a big change had happened in my life, I noticed how my own mind kept spinning, and I only allowed myself a week to fly back, be with family, and help with funeral arrangements and logistical things. At the funeral, I realized that taking time to just be and sit with all the feelings brewing up inside of me is so important. And not only that, but to take time to be present with my family. Born in a lineage of workaholics, I never really valued downtime. But I'm realizing now that if I don't take time to soak up the longer, more patient cycles that underlie our lives, then I am really missing out. By leaving parts of myself (the parts "that limp a little, the vulnerabilities that give us character") behind, un-addressed, and probably pent-up t... View full comment
I often find myself feeling guilty for taking time to have time. This passage is very timely for me. My father just passed away a week ago, and it's funny, when something like that happens, everything in life gets put on hold. But even though a big change had happened in my life, I noticed how my own mind kept spinning, and I only allowed myself a week to fly back, be with family, and help with funeral arrangements and logistical things. At the funeral, I realized that taking time to just be and sit with all the feelings brewing up inside of me is so important. And not only that, but to take time to be present with my family. Born in a lineage of workaholics, I never really valued downtime. But I'm realizing now that if I don't take time to soak up the longer, more patient cycles that underlie our lives, then I am really missing out. By leaving parts of myself (the parts "that limp a little, the vulnerabilities that give us character") behind, un-addressed, and probably pent-up to come out at a late time, I'm just covering myself up with band-aids, and creating problems in the longer term. I'm glad I decided to take a little more time this week to be with my family. Thank you for this passage. It's a humbling reminder of the beauty in taking time to stop, see, listen, and accept things as they are. Life as it is.
I keep reading your posts and so I kind of feel like a friend who knows about some of your activities and thoughts. Your comment here is very useful as an addendum to the passage to bring the message out more clearly. I agree completely with your decision that slowing down and sinking in when so much is going through head is very important.
Blessings to you and your family. May all attain peace and your father's soul rest in peace.
Love, madhur
AU
AudreyApr 24, 2013
Dear Madhur,
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment and your touching words of support.
Many blessings to you as well!
With Gratitude,
Audrey
CB
CBrooks
Apr 23, 2013
Most folks comment that my 90-year-old mother-in-law is a role model for all of us. Her calendar is full; she drives to events near and far every day. She is always busy. A younger friend of hers (a mere 75) visited for 3 weeks. She whispered to me, "She never stops to think; she's always going somewhere or doing something. She is rushing, rushing, rushing because she thinks she is always late. But she never really talks with me about important things. I need that, too." I listen and reflect on my own busyness. Time to stop and to watch the birds, the river, and the flowers and to play with the grandchildren. And to say out loud every day to each one how much I love them.
HW
hwatt
Apr 22, 2013
The real tragedy of speed is the false sense of "getting somewhere." Or even, I suppose, that there is anywhere to go.
I come home at the end of the day, unable to decompress, unable to cherish my children or play with my spouse, because I'm confronted withe a to-do list only nominally different from the one I left behind. So I rush through my stories of the day; I rush through listening so that I barely hear. I rush through making dinner so that I often forget the most important ingredient: love.
I want to slow down, but there is anxiety, fear (of what, I'm not sure), that if I sit and enjoy... I might actually sit and enjoy.
AM
amyApr 23, 2013
amen
SO
SomeoneApr 24, 2013
You may want to add 1 word to your dictionary - 'Being vulnerable'
For what is important to you in your life, you my just want to try this. Hope it makes sense and works for you.
much gratitude to awakin for initiating these conversations/dialogue with oneself..
very full of truth reflections! how lucidly he describes our existential state of affairs...... love it.
consciously or unconsciously....have never really befriended 'speed'. to believe we have time -
this question brings up this thought that 'the hour belongs to everybody'.....and how do i get myself to
believe that the hour belongs to me....maybe by thinking that in the same given time....a flower could
blossom, a seed could be sprouting, a river is flowing toward the ocean....all with such gentleness and
constantness. maybe a combination of nidhaana (slow) and constantness could be a beautiful substitute
for speed.
personal experience: for me when i am using the precious resources of this earth...speed seems to slow down
...washing dishes slowly - this especially gives me a vicarious experience of having fetched the water
from a great distance,
cutting vegetables....th... View full comment
much gratitude to awakin for initiating these conversations/dialogue with oneself..
very full of truth reflections! how lucidly he describes our existential state of affairs...... love it.
consciously or unconsciously....have never really befriended 'speed'. to believe we have time -
this question brings up this thought that 'the hour belongs to everybody'.....and how do i get myself to
believe that the hour belongs to me....maybe by thinking that in the same given time....a flower could
blossom, a seed could be sprouting, a river is flowing toward the ocean....all with such gentleness and
constantness. maybe a combination of nidhaana (slow) and constantness could be a beautiful substitute
for speed.
personal experience: for me when i am using the precious resources of this earth...speed seems to slow down
...washing dishes slowly - this especially gives me a vicarious experience of having fetched the water
from a great distance,
cutting vegetables....this brings up an image of a cook (helper) in a wedding
hall in india, grating the coconuts with a traditional unmechanized grater...like as if he were in his own
personal kitchen....with no sense of hurriedness...
and today in the morn while i was giving bath to my 4 yr old to get her ready to school...suddenly i saw her
frowning and asked her why...she said that i was giving her bath too fast...wow that was an instant reminder for
me...that there is time
also feel that:
when speed is in the very nature of that being...then i guess speed is apt. the speed
of light, the flapping of a humming bird's wings....and so on; also speed is desired for when it should be
in the nature of that being...especially...speedy justice!
That's very beautifully put, The odd irony is that we all do recognize the unnamed race we seem to be on at a conscious level but seem incapable of slowing down. It needs a deliberate effort to slow down, like friction stopping a moving object we need something to slow us down, may be it's finding the source of friction that we are willing to trade off against the speed is the real challenge, not the race it self.
Just weeks ago we read the words of Krishnamurti (in "He Who Accumulates Cannot Learn") that "communion is a very difficult art . . . requiring listening and learning . . . (going on to say that) most of us hardly listen."
"Speed" is the root cause for our lack of communion. "Speed" is the what takes our ear from another person's story. "Speed" tells us we do not have the time or energy to commune /listen right now.
As in a NASCAR race, the only things that take a car/driver off it's fast track is a problem. He/she takes time for that "pit stop" . . . or may slow down for debris on the track/other emergencies related to "speed" . . . BUT this is done very efficiently (with speed) as well. THE FOCUS is always on "THE RACE" . . . . . . . . .
Today is Sunday (my favorite day of the week)! I got to go to church (my favorite "pit stop") to work on my "communion skills". The art listening, learning and stillness best accomplished at "lower spe... View full comment
Just weeks ago we read the words of Krishnamurti (in "He Who Accumulates Cannot Learn") that "communion is a very difficult art . . . requiring listening and learning . . . (going on to say that) most of us hardly listen."
"Speed" is the root cause for our lack of communion. "Speed" is the what takes our ear from another person's story. "Speed" tells us we do not have the time or energy to commune /listen right now.
As in a NASCAR race, the only things that take a car/driver off it's fast track is a problem. He/she takes time for that "pit stop" . . . or may slow down for debris on the track/other emergencies related to "speed" . . . BUT this is done very efficiently (with speed) as well. THE FOCUS is always on "THE RACE" . . . . . . . . .
Today is Sunday (my favorite day of the week)! I got to go to church (my favorite "pit stop") to work on my "communion skills". The art listening, learning and stillness best accomplished at "lower speeds".
The faster we travel, the more blurred the landscape AROUND us appears. The slower one travels, the more clearly we can focus on the people and things around us.
Blessings and Love to my Awaken brothers and sisters.
"Speed kills." That is true more ways than one. The frenetic lifestyle of our culture hypnotizes and kills us. Joseph Campbell said we strive a lifetime climbing the ladder of success only to find one day the ladder is leaning up against the wrong wall. Speed is a wrong wall. It's the treadmill or rat race that we find ourselves on. It's important to get off the treadmill, move the ladder off the speed wall, and slow down. Engage a speed that allows me/you to enjoy the moment, be mindful of what is happening, relax, take time to smell the roses. My relationship with speed has for the most part not been a happy one. Moving fast or rushing has resulted in my not enjoying the process, making mistakes, and getting myself agitated, stressed, and sometimes even sick or injured. Of course we have time. The issue is how we use it. I've become more aware of slowing down, which makes it easier for me to be mindful mom... View full comment
"Speed kills." That is true more ways than one. The frenetic lifestyle of our culture hypnotizes and kills us. Joseph Campbell said we strive a lifetime climbing the ladder of success only to find one day the ladder is leaning up against the wrong wall. Speed is a wrong wall. It's the treadmill or rat race that we find ourselves on. It's important to get off the treadmill, move the ladder off the speed wall, and slow down. Engage a speed that allows me/you to enjoy the moment, be mindful of what is happening, relax, take time to smell the roses. My relationship with speed has for the most part not been a happy one. Moving fast or rushing has resulted in my not enjoying the process, making mistakes, and getting myself agitated, stressed, and sometimes even sick or injured. Of course we have time. The issue is how we use it. I've become more aware of slowing down, which makes it easier for me to be mindful moment by moment which in turn requires that I slow down. I'm realizing what's important isn't how fast I get to the destination but the quality of my time on the journey. My awareness of that seems ahead of my action as I have a lot of improvement to make in this area of slowing down. That I'm doing slowly.
Wow! Whyte's writing is fantastic. I didn't know how dumb I was until I read this. Previously I thought I was smarter by going faster. Even in conversations of various sorts I too often want to get to the heart of the matter very quickly. After reading this article I now more clearly realize that being patient is getting to the hearts of all matters. Being patient helps one be peaceful and compassionate. I don't seem to recall an experience that came from the belief: "I have time" I have been reading Awakin articles for a couple of years, and I now believe that this one will probably help me the most.. Most of my accomplishments came from doing things quickly but those were done at the expense of being impatient and non-compassionate. You have my deep gratitude for giving me the opportunity to read this and to respond. Warm and kind regards to everyone.
DE
deepaApr 26, 2013
I agree this article has helped me a lot too. I go through life very quickly thinking things needs to be finished. I think if the same thing is done peacefully and with more patience i guess it would be done well. The art of listening is very important as it helps us understand life and people better. We need to realize that our life is mainly to meet some interesting people. We cannot rush it as we might then forget that we have to enjoy the peace and love of everyone whom we have come to meet.
