Why Slow Down When You’re Sad? The Comfort of Deep Rest

Teachings of Master Anshin

Master Anshin 慧

Stillness teacher. 40 years in silence, now sharing what was learned.

_*A woman sat alone on a mountain peak at dawn, her eyes fixed on the lake below where a fish broke the surface of the water. She felt the stillness of the moment and let it settle into her bones.*_

When sadness settles in, our instinct is often to rush forward, to fill the void with activity or distractions. We think that by moving faster, we can outrun the pain. But have you ever noticed how the wind blows gently on a mountain peak? It doesn’t try to hurry; it simply is. Perhaps it’s time to learn from the wind and slow down when we’re feeling sad. This article will explore why slowing down can be a powerful act of self-care, even when life feels overwhelming or painful.

The Wind That Forgets to Sit Down

The Wind That Forgets to Sit Down

When we are sad, our minds can become restless, just like the wind that forgets to sit down. The wind blows hard, without pause or respite, and carries us along on its turbulent path. We try to calm it with thought and reason, but the mind is a stormy sea that cannot be still.

In this state, we often reach for movement as a way to quiet our minds. We go for a walk, do some exercise, or engage in other activities to distract ourselves from our sorrow. But these actions can only provide temporary relief, like a brief calm before the next gust of pain hits us.

The truth is that our bodies are not designed to move when we are sad. In fact, movement can often exacerbate feelings of anxiety and unease. When we slow down, and allow ourselves to rest, we create space for the body to begin to process its emotions. This is where deep rest comes in a chance for the body to settle, like a leaf drifting to the ground on a quiet stream.

Before the First Word of the Day

Before the first word of the day, pause in stillness. Sit quietly, feet planted firmly on the ground, eyes closed or softly focused on the horizon. The wind that forgets to sit down whispers secrets in your ear, but only if you listen. Allow yourself to settle into the present moment, untethered from the expectations of others and the weight of yesterday’s sorrows.

In this quiet space, observe the sensations within your body. Feel the rise and fall of your chest, the gentle tug of breath on the skin. Let go of the need to analyze or fix; simply allow yourself to be. The body has not yet realized the forest is gone, but it knows when it’s safe to move again. Take a few slow breaths, feeling the calm spread through your limbs like a gentle warmth.

In this stillness, you may begin to sense the stirrings of your emotions. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves, and you feel the texture of your sorrow. It is not necessary to confront or resolve it in this moment; simply acknowledge its presence and allow yourself to rest in its depths. The path is already inside of you; it’s up to you to listen to its whispers and follow its gentle guidance.

The Body Has Not Yet Realized the Forest is Gone

The Body Has Not Yet Realized the Forest is Gone

When we are sad, our bodies often respond in ways that seem counterintuitive to slowing down. We might feel a sense of lethargy or fatigue, but also an intense energy and restlessness. This can be confusing, as our minds may tell us to keep moving, to push through and tackle the day’s tasks head-on. But what if your body is trying to tell you something else? What if it’s whispering that you need to slow down, to give yourself permission to rest?

Take time to notice how your body responds to sadness. Notice where tension resides in your muscles, in your jaw or shoulders. Pay attention to any areas of pain or discomfort. Allow these sensations to guide you towards rest and relaxation. Don’t try to push through or ignore them; instead, allow yourself to settle into the feeling of being present with your physical body.

As you slow down, begin to notice the ways in which your body is already releasing tension. Feel the weight of your seat on the chair, the sensation of your feet touching the ground. Allow these sensations to anchor you in the present moment, and see if you can cultivate a sense of calm and stillness. The body knows that sometimes we need to slow down; it’s up to us to listen.

A Daily Ritual of Stillness

A Daily Ritual of Stillness

When we are sad, our minds can become like restless waters, churning and foaming. In an effort to calm the storm, we often try to push through it, to find some way to distract ourselves from our pain. But this approach only serves to exhaust us further. Instead, I encourage you to establish a daily stillness practice perhaps meditation or deep breathing to help cultivate inner calm and clarity.

This daily ritual of stillness is not about finding a way to “get over” your sadness, but rather about learning to be with it in the present moment. It’s about creating space for your body and mind to rest, to slow down, and to recharge. By committing to this practice, you begin to develop a sense of inner peace that is not dependent on external circumstances.

As you settle into your stillness practice, notice how your body responds. Does it feel heavier, more grounded? Or does it feel lighter, more buoyant? The wind that forgets to sit down may be stirring within you, but for now, simply allow yourself to rest in the present moment.

The Path is Already Inside You

The path is already inside you. When we are sad, our minds often try to find answers or distractions from our pain, but in doing so, we can forget that the answer was within us all along.

As we rush through our days, trying to fill the emptiness with more activity, we may be overlooking a deeper truth: that rest is not something we do for ourselves, but rather something we allow ourselves to receive. The body knows this already, in its own quiet rhythms and responses.

In stillness, we can begin to listen to the subtle whispers of our own wisdom. We can learn to trust that the path to healing and growth is already within us, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Embracing the Comfort of Rest

Embracing the Comfort of Rest

When we are sad, our minds often tell us to move, to act, to push through the discomfort. But sometimes it is in stillness that we find true comfort. The body knows when it needs rest, and yet we often ignore this gentle whisper. We try to force ourselves into productivity, as if the work will somehow make the sadness disappear. But it never does.

It is only by slowing down, by allowing ourselves to settle into the present moment, that we can begin to find comfort in our sorrow. Before the first word of the day, take a few deep breaths and allow your body to relax. Feel the weight of your seat on the chair, the sensation of the air on your skin. The world outside will still be there when you are ready to face it.

In this quiet space, we can begin to understand that our sadness is not something to be overcome, but rather something to be acknowledged. By embracing rest, we give ourselves permission to feel, to process, and to heal. The body has not yet realized the forest is gone; it simply knows that it needs time to rest in the shade of a great tree.

The Power of Inaction

The power of inaction is often misunderstood as weakness, but it can be a profound act of courage. When we are caught up in the storm of sadness, our minds and bodies cry out for something to do, anything to distract us from the pain. But what if, instead of rushing forward, we slow down and allow ourselves to simply be? The wind that forgets to sit down can still find refuge in a quiet corner.

In this state of being, we begin to listen to the whispers of our own hearts. We hear the gentle hum of our breath, the soft rustle of leaves outside, or the quiet murmur of a loved one’s presence. It is a sound that speaks directly to us, reminding us that we are not alone and that we are exactly where we need to be.

In the stillness, we can begin to unravel the threads of our sorrow, slowly and gently, without forcing or pushing. We allow ourselves to settle into the depth of our own being, rather than trying to escape it with busyness or distraction. And in this quiet, we discover a sense of peace that is not dependent on external circumstances, but on the gentle unfolding of our own inner world.

Finding Inner Strength in Slowing Down

When sadness settles in, we often feel an overwhelming urge to move, to act, to distract ourselves from the weight that presses upon us. But I ask you, dear friend, is it not in these moments of stillness that we can discover our greatest strength? The wind that forgets to sit down, how does it know when to pause and recharge? It is in the quiet that we can tap into a reservoir of inner resilience, one that lies beyond the reach of our busy minds.

Before the first word of the day, take a moment to breathe. Feel the weight of your body on the earth, the sensation of the air moving in and out of your lungs. Allow yourself to settle into this present moment, without expectation or distraction. It is here, in the stillness, that you can begin to uncover the inner strength that has been within you all along.

The body has not yet realized the forest is gone; it is only when we pause that we come to understand what has been lost. In our haste to rush through life, we often forget to listen to the whispers of our own hearts. Slow down when you’re sad, and you may find that the quiet within becomes a source of comfort, a reminder that you are not alone, and that strength lies within your very being.

About the author. Master Anshin has spent more than four decades in the bamboo groves and mountain temples of the East, studying breath, herbs, rhythm and rest. He is the author of The Quiet Path and writes plainly about practices anyone can begin tonight.

Important notice. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before making significant changes to your sleep, diet, exercise or wellness routine.