Slowly … Slowly

Pulan, Pulan

Ahhhh! Back from a magical women’s retreat, the first

BLOSSOM into your Self retreat in Bali.

One of the magical gifts I received was embodying the phrase “pulan, pulan” which translates as slowly, slowly. That phrase impressed upon my mind throughout my short time in Ubud and I found myself repeating it silently like a mantra.

Yes, no need to fret. Pulan, pulan. How the mind loves to race ahead and worry. Pulan, pulan. Not just physically slowing down, but even more importantly mentally … slowly, slowly – not jumping ahead to conclusions, not jumping into reaction. Breathe in, breathe out into a deeper spaciousness within that allows a flow of natural unfolding.

Staying open and flowing into the natural slow rhythm of being. Coming into Bali made the contrast stark of how worrisome our mind’s can be when there is no need. But the habituated ways of the mind fell-off like a worn out piece of clothing as I embraced pulan, pulan.

Things flow and get done without fretting. Actions flow effortlessly when there is no worrying.

My life energy organizes life effortlessly … if I allow it to.

Slowly, slowly and we breathe more spaciously, take in the beauty all around us, feel love for the people, plants and animals that we live amongst, feel the presence of something larger than ourselves. Breathing deeply and take it all in. And we are nourished, replenished, rejuvenated and fully alive and connected to our creativity in all its diverse forms.

Pulan, pulan. During the retreat, everything flowed in the most magical ways as we slowed down, listened deeply, shared, laughed, and contributed to the circle that formed a beautiful matrix of love and support. Plans happened, changes were effortless, and actions flowed without needing to fret, or worry.

Ahhh, if we can retain that knowing and way of being. How would your life be without fretting? Rushing around, fretting, “making sure”, and worrying can make you think you are “doing” what’s needed. Worrying uses your energy reserves and doesn’t actually give you anything back. Pulan, pulan.

Here’s a little snippet of the latest news of my Mom’s new relationship.

I spoke with her recently and she told me she spent the last week worrying because she hadn’t heard from her “friend” in a week and she knew that he has been unwell. She said she was worried sick, not hearing from him and she didn’t want to ring him. Her mind drove her crazy thinking up all sorts of scenarios.

I asked her if her worrying helped him or her?
She said no, not really.
But she said she cares for him and that’s why she worried. Hmmm. He did call her after the week passed and he was fine, brought her roses and they had a lovely dinner at her place.

Well, after a chat the long and short of it is she realized that worrying was not helping him and was actually doing harm to herself. So she decided she wouldn’t worry about him and if she started to worry she would address it by taking a walk or doing something else to focus her mind in a more positive direction.

Wow… open to new possible ways of being at 83. Thank you Mom! Such an inspiration.

So here is my offering to you this month … practice slowing down

Take 15 minutes each day to slow down and be with your Self. Pulan, pulan, slowly, slowly. (15 minutes is such a small amount of time. Value making time for yourself.)