The Spiritual Wisdom of Slowing Down with Pico Iyer

What can silence teach us about presence, purpose, and connection? How might traveling inward be as transformative as journeying across the globe?

This week, Simran journeys into stillness and simplicity with celebrated writer Pico Iyer. Together, they explore the quiet truths discovered through travel, solitude, and spiritual seeking.

Pico reflects on his life between worlds—from the stillness of a Japanese suburb to the vibrant chaos of New York, and the contemplative silence of monasteries. He shares how his multicultural upbringing and diverse spiritual influences have shaped his understanding of identity, belonging, and meaning.

In a world brimming with noise and distraction, Pico advocates for a return to presence: putting down the phone, embracing minimalist living, and listening deeply—to ourselves, to others, and to the moment.

This conversation is an invitation to slow down, to cultivate gratitude, and to rediscover the richness of a life not measured by possessions, but by presence.

Resources:

• Buy Aflame by Pico Iyer here.
• Pico Iyer Journeys website.
• Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org.

Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation. 

Music by Raj Kanwal Singh.

This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.