Hurry is the enemy of spiritual life, leading to chronic anger, anxiety, loneliness, burnout, and more.
Hurry sabotages our ability to both receive and give love, hindering compassion and care for others.
Deep dives
Hurry as the Great Enemy of Spiritual Life
Hurry is identified as the great enemy of spiritual life by Dallas Willard, who emphasizes the importance of eliminating hurry from one's life. The speaker initially doubts this concept but gradually comes to agree that hurry is the root cause of various societal issues, such as chronic anger, anxiety, loneliness, burnout, and more. The detrimental effects of hurry on the soul are discussed, leading to the conclusion that slowing down and simplifying one's life is crucial to cultivating love and compassion.
The Impact of Hurry on Relationships and Love
Hurry is found to sabotage our capacity to both receive and give love. The speaker describes instances where being in a hurry leads to anger, irritation, impatience, and prevents the ability to fully love and care for others. The importance of taking the time to listen and truly be present for others is highlighted as a way to cultivate compassion and love. Slowing down and simplifying one's life are suggested as remedies to combat the destructive impact of hurry.
Understanding the Rule of Life
The concept of a rule of life is introduced as a set of practices and rhythms that create space to receive and give love. It is described as a personal framework for leading a life centered around love and relationship with God and others. The speaker encourages listeners to pay attention to the speed at which they move through their days and to practice slowing down. Slowing down is presented as an act of resistance against the fast-paced, hurried culture of today, allowing individuals to live in the realm of love and experience deeper riches.
The Invitation to Cultivate an Unhurried Life
The speaker invites listeners to reflect on their own tendencies towards hurrying and to consider the impact it has on their lives. Slowing down and simplifying are suggested as practical ways to counteract the negative effects of hurry and create space for love and compassion. The importance of consciously choosing to live an unhurried life is highlighted, emphasizing that it requires faith and can lead to a deeper and richer existence.
“Most people are just too busy to live an emotionally healthy and spiritually rich life.”
We live in an age of chronic distraction and business. John Mark talks about hurry as the great enemy of our spiritual life. He proposes that the solution to “hurry sickness” is not more time, but rather become people of love through being intentional with our own “rule of life.”
