Taking a Pause for Peace

The holiday season is upon us. This is a time when our already busy schedules can become even more packed and busy. I encourage you to put a plan in place to help you to stay grounded and embodied. This season, I plan to regularly pause and notice what is pulling me away from a place of peace. 

Pausing and slowing down during this vata time of year follows the prompts of nature. Animals go into hibernation, some types of plants become dormant, and because we are nature, it is natural for us to follow suit. Allow yourself time for more rest. Where are there areas in our lives where we can create a brief pause?  Something as simple as taking a moment to observe the breath and the pause at both the top and the bottom of the breath when it changes direction. There is a natural pause. Just taking some long, slow, deep breaths and extending that pause at the top and the bottom will be very helpful. If you have a bit more time, you could always consider taking some time in the afternoon to put your legs up the wall, do a short yoga nidra, or take a few minutes to look at nature. Even if I take five minutes between clients to lay in my hammock, having left my phone inside, look at the sky, and take a few breaths, it does a world of good. 

 There are really simple practices to implement and be aware of. Perhaps, rather than being frustrated when you come to a red light, pause. Don’t pick up the phone to scroll; maybe if the radio is on, turn it off and sit in a conscious, peaceful pause. 

Another easy practice to implement is to pause in the morning right when you wake up and before getting out of bed. Take a moment to decide how you want to approach the day and who you want to be. Move the awareness through the sense organs and allow yourself to begin the day feeling rather than moving directly into the thinking, worrying, or problem-solving mode. Allow your awareness to settle in your heart so that the day begins in heart consciousness. 

Take several times throughout the day to take this pause. Before you go into a meeting, make a meal or pick up your children to notice your mental and emotional state. Take a moment to notice if you are in a habitual thought process or if you are moving through your day in a conscious and peaceful state. A peaceful pause can also cultivate patience. Another aspect of our fast-paced world is the habit of instant gratification. We may need or want something and jump online to have it delivered right away. If we pause and wait a few hours or even a day, we will often decide that we don’t actually need it. Peace can cultivate patience, contentment, and appreciation. 

 If we want to see any change towards peace in the world, then that must start with us. As Gandhi famously said “Be the change you want to see in the world” If we want to see peace and healing on our planet then that is something that we need to practice being. Be the peace that we want to see.

I wish you all a peace-filled holiday season.

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