Gentle Slowing

Single tasking is the latest buzz word on the spiritual and psychological block – the simple act of doing one thing at a time with mindful appreciation. Such an inexpensive treatment for stress, anxiety, depression and despair, yet even Cambridge professors are marvelling at its efficacy.

I recommend you take the full dose at Isibindi Zulu Lodge, where you will be gently guided from one sensory experience to the next. Start with a game drive, with the breeze in your hair and sun on your face as you appreciate African animals from this unique perspective. Eat a hearty breakfast, followed by a calm dip in the infinity-edge swimming pool, and perhaps a cool drink while lying on a pool lounger. Move slowly, without unnecessary haste, to a nap in your textured Zulu-inspired beehive hut. Take as long as you need to wake up – there’ll be no bounding here. Appreciate the African bushveld from the perfect viewing platform of your very comfortable low bed. Move, feeling every footstep on the smooth wooden floors, onto your private deck, watching the landscape change colour as the sun sets.

This is what I have been doing all day, saying to myself repeatedly “Your only task now is to enjoy this view” or “Your only responsibility here is to appreciate this drink.” Mindful attention takes us out of our usual thoughts, which are often overly concerned with the future or the past, to the present moment, which is often a far lovelier place to dwell.

Mary Oliver writes in her poem “A Summer Day”

I do know how to pay attention …

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

Review by www.characterstay.blogspot.com. Photographs by Guy Upfold.