Comments on awake is good: Day 15: Meditation Challenge ~ The Pause Practice

Tess, Thanks for sharing this. What a powerful rem...

2010-01-19T08:27:34.987-05:00

Tess,
Thanks for sharing this. What a powerful reminder to breathe while we are engaged in everyday (even rote) activities. It DOES bring calm. xo

Sharon,
Glad the simplicity of this practice appealed to you. Simple is definitely good in a world of complexity!

I appreciate the brevity and simplicity of "t...

2010-01-18T23:18:15.603-05:00

I appreciate the brevity and simplicity of "the pause practice." Thank you, Jan.

Hi Jan, I first practiced this each time I opened ...

2010-01-18T17:58:08.405-05:00

Hi Jan,
I first practiced this each time I opened my car door, once it became natural I applied it to other daily transitions. I've become a calmer person partly due to learning this.

Laura, 3 sacred pauses can carry us through just a...

2010-01-18T10:02:16.102-05:00

Laura,
3 sacred pauses can carry us through just about anything, eh? I appreciate how you connect the dots with that and forgiveness (oh, so impt) and gratitude. Lovely....

Deb,
You will find great benefit in any of Pema Chodron's writings. :-) She speaks to all of us who are on this human journey, no matter what our spiritual persuasion. Even though you may have stumbled a bit with your unfolding practice, I hope you will be gentle with yourself and breathe on!

Nicki,
Welcome! I have added your name to the Roster. May the Challenge support you in your journey. Blessings!

Jan, I'm in! Peace, Nicki.

2010-01-18T02:13:02.499-05:00

Jan, I'm in! Peace, Nicki.

As always my inspiration level soared after readin...

2010-01-17T22:50:58.706-05:00

As always my inspiration level soared after reading your post...
it has been tough to be consistent and go easy on myself if I miss a day...I have committed to reading Pema's book...I have read so many of her quotes over the last year - I feel it's destiny!
As always - I am grateful you are hosting this challenge and for the community that I look forward to checking in on each day. Gratitude to you!

Tabitha, Yes, especially in the busyness we need t...

2010-01-17T22:09:21.272-05:00

Tabitha,
Yes, especially in the busyness we need to try to remember to take many pauses to breathe...I hope that you will. :-)

Caroline,
Good to hear. Just keeping coming back to the breath. This has an amazing effect on us. I am finding myself consciously pausing and breathing everywhere: in line at the store, driving, working on the computer, cooking... It all helps. :-)

Mermaid, Her book is next on my list. I thought I ...

2010-01-17T22:07:18.965-05:00

Mermaid,
Her book is next on my list. I thought I would get to it by now but not reading too much these days, busy doing the Challenge (LOL). Pausing does allow grace to come in, insight too as to what our choices will be. Even though it was challenging for you, you stayed steady. Good for you!
May we all pause to breathe...again and again.

Rochelle,
A very agitated mind is often helped by a concentration meditation. By focusing on one thing—a word, breath, an image, a candle, a sound—so many choices...by returning to it again and again, with our breath as companion, it does begin to corral the mind and slow it down. When I was very agitated and stressed years ago, I found walking meditation very helpful. I could walk fast, get rid of excess energy, count my breaths, match them with my steps, and ease would come. A good guide to walking meditation is Long Road Turns to Joy by Thich Nhat Hanh. Right now, I wonder if sitting meditation might not be the right vehicle. Maybe a more active form? Guided meditations help too. Focus as well as relax the thoughts.

yes...the pause...3 conscious breaths have the pow...

2010-01-17T17:56:29.495-05:00

yes...the pause...3 conscious breaths have the power to transform a moment of agitation to one of calm, clear seeing and aaaaah...forgiveness or even gratitude.

Oh this is so very true. I have been doing this f...

2010-01-17T15:46:49.968-05:00

Oh this is so very true. I have been doing this from the beginning of the challenge...stopping to pause during the day. Breathing and grounding my energy. This really has made a big difference. It centers me. Simple yet profoundly effective!

Great advice and some that I need this weekend. I&...

2010-01-17T15:05:53.453-05:00

Great advice and some that I need this weekend. I'm trying not to allow the busy take over and overwhelm me..I'll definitely be more mindful, pause and BREATHE.

((Hugs))

I've been very distracted the last few days an...

2010-01-17T14:01:50.438-05:00

I've been very distracted the last few days and even though I have been sitting longer my mind hasn't been cooperating. But I do try to take deep breaths during the day and that does have an amazing ability to make me feel at ease. This is certainly an interesting journey - glad to be on it!

I'm reading Pema's book, Taking the Leap: ...

2010-01-17T11:59:49.093-05:00

I'm reading Pema's book, Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears. It's short, and to the point. It seems to sum up many important aspects of suffering and freedom from that same suffering. You don't have to be Buddhist to enjoy it.

The Pause is so key. There are two wolves we can feed, the angry and self-centered one or the kind and compassionate one. If we don't pause during a heated argument with a loved one or another conflict, or even when we are feeling uneasy, we tend to feed the first wolf. Pausing allows for breathe, for natural clarity to arise without being forced.

This morning in my meditation practice, I had a difficult time staying with my breath. Many stories of anger and hurt arose. But, the intention to be kind and loving towards myself and others was always there with each breath, and afterwards, I felt lighter. Still a bit confused, but softer and more open to the natural wisdom that was ready to tell me something when the time was right.

We give ourselves a great gift when we pause several times in our busy day, in our busy lives. I am reminded again of how I need to pause to breathe, to give myself time to make better choices, to feed the wolf of love and kindness.