Tense Shoulders, Speeding Up and Krishna Das
November 23, 2025
8 min read
•
Newsletter
{Body}
Tense shoulders
Have you noticed what happens to your body when you anticipate a loud sound, like a firework explosion?
You flinch, right? Your face scrunches, your shoulders hike up to your ears, and you brace for impact.
A reminder: you're carrying this same flinching tension throughout your entire day, even when there's no firework coming.
Right now, as you read this, check in with your body. Is your jaw clenched? Shoulders raised? Breath shallow and chest collapsed? Notice how much unnecessary tension you're holding despite being completely safe — probably sitting in bed or on the toilet, nothing dangerous anywhere nearby.
It's madness!
Why do we do this? Because our systems were designed to shrink away (flinch) from any potential disaster. And the mind is projecting disaster constantly.
How do you escape this "perpetual flinching"? Naturally, you'll need to terminate the incessant stream of worst-case-scenario thoughts that stalk you.
Alas, that’s pretty dang hard to do, so in the meantime try this instead…
{Mind}
Overwhelmed by how quickly the world is speeding up
Even the most optimistic among us are feeling the uncomfortable inertia of society hitting warp speed — myself included.
Imagine two identical marathoners, both running 6 minute miles. The first relaxes their muscles, opens up their gate for a longer stride, and shifts their center of gravity forward. The second stays tense, quickens their feet, and pumps their legs twice as hard to keep up.
Which version do you think is more sustainable?
In other words, the more you resist the global accelerating flow — and its accompanying dissolution of old structures — the more effort you will need to stay above water. Loosen your grip on what you believe the future should be and trust that, so long as you are selflessly serving others, you will thrive in this time of transition.
Of course, this is easier said than done, so when you do inevitably find yourself overwhelmed, I recommend re-attuning yourself with the slow pace of nature (without any electronics nearby). Stand near a tree or body of water, close your eyes and feel the weight of your body, the ground beneath your feet, and the air that fills your lungs. Remind yourself that, while the world may be moving, You are still.
Lastly, consider incorporating a splash of amish philosophy into your life. Choose only to embrace technology that align with simplicity and separation from the distractions and pressures of the outside world. You will be much more peaceful for having done so.
{Soul}
On a typical road trip, you can look forward to a well-trodden route taking you to a guaranteed destination in a finite amount of time.
“I’m driving from North Carolina to Arizona via I-40, which will take about 3 days.”
On the trip of life, however, none of those assurances are present.
That is: not only are you the first to ever take this path, but you also don’t have a clue where you’re going, nor any idea of how long it’s going to take to get there!
Seems like quite the nerve-racking journey, eh?
Ironically, the good news is that you know you’re headed in the right direction when you end up stressing less about where you are and where you’re going. Or, in other words, when you know that God’s got you.
How hilarious and comforting this realization truly is! That only by relaxing into being lost will you be found! That only by stressing less will you fare better!
November 16, 2025
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