In a culture obsessed with relentless self-optimization, this song offers a gentle, radical act of refusal with “Lying Flat.”

Inspired by a Chinese social movement popularly known as 躺平（tang ping), but this isn’t a protest song of fire and fury, but a quiet, profound exhale set to music. A moment of rest and self-care to reorient and re-prioritise life.

Crafted at a languid 72 BPM, the track feels less like a composition and more like a discovered atmosphere—a soft-focus snapshot of urban ennui and the fragile peace found within it. The ever-present vinyl crackle and the slight detune on the Rhodes keys don’t just establish a lo-fi aesthetic; they build a sanctuary of imperfection.

The vocal enters “almost late, like an afterthought,” whispering verses that map the quiet contours of burnout: the tired train, the burning coffee, the “pockets full of quiet wants.” But Bodhi-Bowl’s genius is in the pivot, finding profound analogies for a different way of being in a leaf taking its time to fall, or a flower in a sidewalk crack that “didn’t fight, didn’t beg.” The chorus crystallizes into a mantra of liberation from the grind: “I don’t need to be better / I don’t need to be more.”

“Lying Flat” is an antidote to compulsive ambition. It’s a beautifully crafted argument for stillness, a hymn for the deeply tired, and perhaps the most quietly revolutionary three minutes you’ll spend this week. It doesn’t ask you to climb a mountain; it simply asks you to notice the cat sleeping in the street, and in doing so, to call this moment, finally, enough – a moment of rest and self-care.

Lyrics

You can find my music on most streaming platforms under the artist name Bodhi-Bowl. My goal is to offer music that makes Buddhist insights feel relevant and gentle for today’s world. You’re also welcome to download the MP3 directly here.

If the song resonates with you, sharing it is the greatest compliment. For those who’d like to offer tangible support, purchasing it on iTunes or other music stores is a wonderful way to contribute—like sharing a virtual cup of coffee. Thank you for listening.”

May all be well and happy.