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# Zeno's pacing

Zeno's dichotomy paradox goes like this:

How does a runner ever reach a finish line?

At one point, the runner is halfway to the finish. Call the halfway mark "1/2."

At another point, the runner is halfway between 1/2 and the finish. Call that "1/4."

At another point, it's halfway between 1/4 and the finish. Call that "1/8."

At another point, it's halfway between 1/8 and the finish. Call that "1/16."

And so on.

The runner will continue to progress toward the finish line, but will never reach it: the runner will always have half the remaining distance to cover, and that distance can be endlessly subdivided into smaller & smaller halves.

Apply Zeno's pacing to help you slow down, clear your mind, & ground in the present moment.

The formula is: cover half the remaining distance, at half your most recent speed.

Here are a few techniques:

Zeno's fingertip:

Pick two connected points. E.g., your elbow & your wrist, or two points on a tabletop.

Start at one point. Place your fingertip there. Then gently slide your fingertip half the distance from that point to the finish. Go at a comfortable pace.

Pause at the halfway point, call that "1/2."

Now, slide your finger half the distance between 1/2 and the finish. Go half the speed you did before.

Pause at the halfway mark between A and the finish. Call that "1/4."

Now, slide your finger half the distance between B and the finish. Go half the speed you did going from 1/2.

Pause at the halfway point, call that "1/8."

Continue for as long as you want.

The formula is: cover half the remaining distance, at half your most recent speed.

Each portion should take roughly the same time to traverse. While each portion is only half the distance of the prior one, your pace is twice as slow as the prior one; the loss in distance is offset by a corresponding reduction in speed.

Zeno's gaze:

Pick two items or points in your visual field. E.g., the kitchen sink and the stove, or two clouds in the sky.

Start at one point. Set your gaze there. Then gently slide your gaze half the distance from that point to the finish. Go at a comfortable pace.

Pause at the halfway point, call that "1/2."

Now, slide your gaze half the distance between 1/2 and the finish. Go half the speed you did before.

Pause at the halfway point between 1/2 and the finish. Call that "1/4."

Now, slide your gaze half the distance between 1/4 and the finish. Go half the speed you did going from 1/2.

Pause at the halfway point between 1/4 and the finish. call that "1/8."

Continue for as long as you want.

The formula is: cover half the remaining distance, at half your most recent speed.

Each portion should take roughly the same time to traverse. While each portion is only half the distance of the prior one, your pace is twice as slow as the prior one; the loss in distance is offset by a corresponding reduction in speed.

Zeno's stride

From where you are, pick a point to walk to.

Walk half the distance from the starting point to the finish. Go at a comfortable pace.

Pause at the halfway point, call that "1/2."

Now, walk half the distance between 1/2 and the finish. Go half the speed you did before.

Pause at the halfway point between 1/2 and the finish. Call that "1/4."

Now, walk half the distance between 1/4 and the finish. Go half the speed you did going from 1/2.

Pause at the halfway point between 1/4 and the finish. call that "1/8."

Continue for as long as you want.

The formula is: cover half the remaining distance, at half your most recent speed.

Each portion should take roughly the same time to traverse. While each portion is only half the distance of the prior one, your pace is twice as slow as the prior one; the loss in distance is offset by a corresponding reduction in speed.