Welcome to The Slow Newsletter, your weekly dose of dazzling, aha-moment-generating Vedic wisdom. The Slow is where we break down teachings on meditation and consciousness to inspire easy, abundant living—even in the most demanding times.

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💬 Quote of the Week

A quick Public Service Announcement for my fellow high-achievers who feel like they’re never doing enough:

You can’t give what you don’t have.

If you wake up with only 60% in the tank and give all 60%, that’s still 100% effort.

You’ve given it your all, full marks for the day.

Measure yourself by what’s available, not by impossible standards, and stay regular with Vedic Meditation to increase the number of “full tank” days.

📚 Knowledge Sesh: Embracing Change in Relationships

Have you ever found yourself trying to nudge—or maybe even shove (!!)—your partner toward personal growth, only to feel frustrated when they don’t change as quickly as you’d like? It’s a common experience in relationships where one person’s evolution can seem out of sync with the other’s.

But what if the real secret to a thriving relationship isn’t in controlling how the other person grows but in letting go?

Control often feels like the right answer—it gives us a sense of security, a belief that we can guide our partners toward what’s best. But in reality, this approach can stifle true growth, for both us and those we love.

True evolution requires space, trust, and a willingness to allow each person to follow their unique path, even if it looks different.

Three key aspects contribute to a strong, lasting relationship:

• Shared enthusiasm for growth. Shared enthusiasm means both partners are invested in personal evolution, even if their paths differ.
• A shared mission. A common mission keeps the relationship aligned, whether it’s raising a family (or not) or pursuing a dream together.
• Effective, unity-driven communication. Empathy-led speech ensures that even when disagreements arise, there’s a willingness to find common ground.

These three “legs of the stool” provide a foundation that supports the relationship through changes and challenges.

The takeaway? By releasing the need to control and instead embracing the natural flow of growth, we create a relationship environment where both partners can flourish—together and individually. This shift eases tension and opens up new possibilities for deeper connection and shared joy.

And always remember: evolution is all that’s ever happening, so do your best to nurture the relationship and let go so Nature can show you where evolution is headed.

💫 The Spin: The Brass Tacks of Life

I’ve got a confession to make.

I’m notorious for hilariously mangling English phrases.

For decades—and yes, I mean decades—I genuinely believed the phrase was “It’s a Doggy Dog World.” I even confidently sent it in an email to a coworker during my early days on Wall Street. Fortunately, everyone assumed I was being funny and had a good laugh.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good Snoop Dogg album. Plus, Mandarin is technically my mother tongue…

But you better believe I was frantically Googling the correct phrase the minute I got home.

And then there was the fateful day in 2022—when I was today years old—that my sweet husband casually dropped the bomb: it’s not “Brass Tax,” but actually “Brass Tacks” that we’re all trying to get down to.

Wait, what?? Are you serious? All these years… I blame my finance days for that one—where everyone was obsessed with how much Uncle Sam swiped from their year-end bonus.

But why am I riffing on brass tacks in the first place?

Because in my ten years as a twice-daily Vedic meditator and seven years of teaching, I’ve learned this one key truth:

You can be the world’s most disciplined meditator—never miss a session—but if you’re not actively looking to make your day-to-day living easier, then guess what? Your experience is going to stay pretty much the same.

This, my friend, is the brass tacks of any personal development journey. The real magic doesn’t just happen in the chair; it plays out in the nitty-gritty of everyday life.

Sure, daily meditation lays the groundwork—there’s no doubt about it. That’s step one.

Step two? It’s about putting it all together in your daily actions. Little by little, step by step.

Once we implement micro-upgrades in our lives, we can enjoy the 200% value of our meditation practice: 100% fulfillment inside meditation and 100% fulfillment in the 23.25 hours we’re not meditating.

I recently came across a gem on social media that perfectly captures the power of micro-upgrades in our lives, especially for so many of us running from meeting to meeting, task to task, always on the go:

Let’s make the most out of our meditation practice and give ourselves the grace of five extra minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much more impactful and long-lasting your meditations can feel.