#TED THE ART OF STILLNESS DOWNLOAD#

These aren't New Age fads so much as ways to rediscover the wisdom of an earlier age. Iyer reflects that this is perhaps the reason why many people-even those with no religious commitment-seem to be turning to yoga, or meditation, or tai chi. Why would a man who seems able to go everywhere and do anything-like the international heartthrob and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Leonard Cohen-choose to spend years sitting still and going nowhere? What can Nowhere offer that no Anywhere can match? And why might a lifelong traveler like Pico Iyer, who has journeyed from Easter Island to Ethiopia, Cuba to Kathmandu, think that sitting quietly in a room and getting to know the seasons and landscapes of Nowhere might be the ultimate adventure? In The Art of Stillness, Iyer draws on the lives of well-known wanderer-monks like Cohen-as well as from his own experiences as a travel writer who chooses to spend most of his time in rural Japan-to explore why advances in technology are making us more likely to retreat.

A Cultural Trust Event: Beauty Slap + Baron Batch'.'A follow up to Pico Iyer's essay 'The Joy of Quiet, ' The Art of Stillness considers the unexpected adventure of staying put and reveals a counterintuitive truth: The more ways we have to connect, the more we seem desperate to unplug.

Cashmere Tee + Lilly Pulitzer Murfee Scarf.

How do you slow down? Have a fabulous day! So here's to slowing down and appreciating everything in life. It's refreshing and I swear it makes me happier and more productive throughout the rest of my day. I'll read a book or magazine, sit outside and just simply enjoy my coffee. I make a cappuccino and try to ignore my phone and computer for a while. I've started to really relish my Saturday and Sunday mornings. However, there is also nothing like the feeling of going slow. There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment, no doubt. I love to get into a work groove and getting it all done. Then it is lost forever.ДЄdmittedly, I love speed. And, while a little 'kick' never hurts to get things done, oftentimes, when you are rushed, you don't have time to appreciate the beauty of a moment.

#TED THE ART OF STILLNESS DOWNLOAD#

Rushed to download the latest music, rushed to watch the latest and greatest on Netflix, rushed to respond to e-mails. In the world of instant gratification, we are all rushed. Of course, this can all be related on a large scale. When I am writing a thank you note, I should really focus on what I am writing, rather than stopping every sentence to text someone back or change the song on Spotify. While I brew a pot of tea, why not just focus on that, rather than checking on Instagram, composing an e-mail, or chatting on the phone. But in the reality, I think that is what is taking away from truly enjoying life. It's silly little things like this that I do to 'cut corners', save time and become more efficient. Admittedly, sometimes I will make tea via the microwave because I am not patient enough to wait for the teapot on the stove. Iyer's talk, but why was I so rushed to scribble my name? I had places to go and people to see, of course! But in reality, I should have taken my time and signed my name neatly.ДЄnother small example is that I have a cup of hot tea each night. This is a little bit of a stretch in regards to Mr. Why was my signature awful? The answer is simple: I was rushing to sign my name. In fact, I'm quite fond of my handwriting!

I was depositing a check and as I was scribbling my signature on the back, I looked at it and thought, 'wow, what terrible handwriting I have!' But here's the thing. This is so minute and silly, but it is really what sparked this post. I started thinking about this while I was at the bank. While watching Pico Iyer's TED talk, I was reminded that sometimes it's necessary to just 'go slow'. I'm always connected whether it be via e-mail, social media, or texts/calls. I'm always going somewhere, always doing something, my to-do list is never ending, my calendar always full. No, not really while in the car but with everything in life. I have a lot of favorite TED talks, like this one, but this one has really stood out to me lately.

I volunteered to be on the TEDxPittsburgh team earlier in the fall to plan TED Talks for Pittsburgh (coming up in May)! It's been really fun to see the process and plan the event.

Ted the art of stillness