Pausing

 “Mindfulness is a pause - the space between stimulus and response:

That's where choice lies”~ Tara Brach

For many, this time of the year can be particularly challenging.

Memories, and experiences from the past may more easily rise to the surface of our awareness, and we find ourselves slipping into avoidance or distraction.

In these moments, if we notice our breath, and simply pause between the inhalation and the exhalation, we can more easily see what is

indeed clear, real, and important.

Memories, and patterns of the past which do not serve us,

can cease to dictate our present. Our present is between the stimulus, in the form of thoughts or emotions, and our response.

If there is a conscious pause, the response will always resonate

with our truth, and what is real. The mind and the ego don't have an opportunity to create any stories, because the focus on the breath

will not allow them to hijack what is true.

So, especially during the activity filled holiday season,

I invite you to consider lots of pausing. Start with the breath, but also with yoga postures, with sitting, with standing, with walking, with watching

a candle flame or a snow flake, etc.

Every action has built into it the 'pause', but in order to notice it, we need to just stop - for a nanosecond or for an hour. It's in that pause

- that sacred pause -

that we may find our true and deepest selves.

May the many pauses in your day bring you clarity, calm,

and ultimately, radiant well-being.

Many Blessings,

Jai Bhagwan