Stop, take a breath and count to ten…
We all know of this sound and sage advice, but how often do we remember to take it? Personally, I know for myself, not much.
The thinking doing mind is quick, the tongue even quicker. The words can fly out of our mouths faster than the brain has a chance to weigh in and save us, from ourselves.
This can happen with actions as well…get cut off in traffic? Lay on the horn or flip somebody the bird? Yup, we’ve all been there, the action proceeds the thought. Sometimes the rational mind just does not have a chance.
Enter the Sacred Pause; this is the essence of mindfulness, a practice which asks the body/mind connection to slow down and wait. Take a beat, a breath, consider the reaction prior to the impulse.
The more we practice mindfulness in the simple day to day, the more organic the Sacred Pause can be accessed. Add in one mundane task you do everyday and practice mindfulness. Maybe it’s brushing your teeth. Rather than the rush of this chore make it a ritual. Take a good long look into your eyes in the mirror, breathe in and breathe out. Turn on the water; see it, hear it, wet your brush, add the paste, note the color, the smell etc. Mindfully brush your teeth…taste, feel experience the sensations. You get the idea, this can be done with any daily task, the key is to practice consistently for a period of time. 21 to 40 days is excellent.
This practice is a conscious effort to regulate the nervous system. To train the body to slow down the time between the stimulus and response.
This magic of mindfulness can start to weave its way into your daily interactions with others and the world around you. You may become aware of the possibility of the Sacred Pause, that all important moment where with great clarity and awareness you stop. You actually wait and feel the present moment before you react to the stimulus.
Imagine a world where this was practiced in the media, the social platforms, politics, schools, homes and businesses. What a change we would feel, how much more well….Mindful would our life experiences be?
Less suffering to be sure, less fear, shame and hostility. More support, love, patience, acceptance. The Sacred Pause can hold us in stillness and quiet until we are clear, until we are ready to share our authentic selves with the demanding world around us.
This extra breath, this pause, consider it Sacred and wait for it…