The Miracle of the Pause
Lately I’ve been noticing the miraculous value of pausing. How taking a moment or two after completing a practice allows me to better absorb the benefits. And naturally, I want to receive all the benefits! Instead of jumping up after my meditation or chanting or whatever, if I just linger for a few breaths, I can feel the medicine catch up and sink in.
You’re probably familiar with the pause of not reacting out of anger. Taking ten breaths is the customary approach to sorting our sh*t out before flinging it haphazardly onto someone. (I would add to that the importance giving outlet to that frustration or irritation rather than just pushing it down, but you’ve already heard me say that repeatedly.)
Expanding on the idea of using a brief respite for personal development and healing is new to me. I have a rather extensive morning routine, chockfull of spiritual and self-care practices. Some days I have the luxury of moving slowly from one element to the next in my body-mind-spirit weaving and oh how I enjoy that! Other days I find myself rushing, trying to cram all the goodness in.
Those days, I have an early appointment and need to get the show on the road. Rather than rushing through all the steps, I’ve started slowing down and doing less. Still covering all the basics, but in abbreviated version. And pausing in between.
It’s made a huge difference! I also find myself pausing during the day. The gaps that naturally occur tend to get filled; usually with something productive or positive in some regard, but still filled. Now, when I find I’m ready 5 minutes before I need to leave, I’m giving myself that time to sit and reflect rather than turning to the never-ending cycle of emails, picking up a book or hurrying through an errand.
Radical, eh? ;)
Not all the time, of course. I do need to answer those emails and run those errands and there is so much I want to read that I’m always tempted to dive into a newsletter or book and learn the next fabulous thing. But if I do those things in a more mindful way rather than crowding them into the gaps, I have better awareness, greater recall, increased efficacy.
We live in a world that exalts maximum busy-ness and chronic overdoing. I’m proposing something revolutionary when I suggest that doing less, taking some down time, allowing gaps in your day, is often beneficial.
You needn’t decelerate completely in a day. Just give it a try once. The next time you find yourself at a stoplight or waiting in line at the store, leave your phone in your pocket and take a few deep breaths instead. Instead of rushing out after your yoga practice, take two minutes to sit quietly and absorb the rewards you’ve earned.
As always, I’d love to hear how it goes! Where do you find yourself moving on automatic, going through the motions and not receiving the benefits of your efforts? Where do you find it easy to pause? Where do you find it excruciating to pause? For me, pausing when I’m feeling hurt is very challenging. I don’t want to go there! Yet I’ve spent a lifetime and untold resources avoiding hurts that I find can be shifted simply by being with them. When I put on my grown-up clothes and do the work, it frees up so much life-force!
These reflections can provide great insights and propel you into greater levels of wellness, connection and creativity if that’s appealing to you. Obviously, there’s no obligation to share here, but I do hope you’ll go exploring and find the treasures waiting for you in the pause.
A curious little side note… I was working on this article last week when I hit a brick wall. I just couldn’t bring myself to finish it. The energy just stopped flowing and I recognized the futility of trying to force it. Apparently, a pause was required and once allowed, the flow eventually returned. I’m just now catching the irony of the Pause blog needing a pause before publication. The universe has quite the sense of humor!