The Power of the Pause
“Stop. Do nothing. Pay attention. The learning is in the pause.” These words have been spoken to me many times over the years during my yoga studies. They resonate with me today just as much as they did 30 years ago. While the original context was in relation to the human body and mind, I have applied these words to many situations in both the work and the home.
What is the pause? Why is it so powerful?
The pause is the space in between actions – it is the space where the mind rests and listens. The mind can be very, very busy. Its job is to think and it thinks continuously about lots and lots of things. It is a phenomenal organ processing 50 bits of data per second. But the mind can be so busy that we may miss insights. The key is to silence the mind. When the mind is quiet, learnings arise. Here are some steps on how to take “the pause.”
Stop Doing. Do nothing - just for a few moments cease all actions. Do not pick up the cell phone or turn to the computer; do not enter into a conversation; do not start cooking or running errands. All of that will be there in a few minutes. Just be and do nothing.
Be silent. Let the mind rest and give it space to focus. Take 2-3 slow, deep breathes and clear the mind. Silently identify an area of reflection. Be curious and ask questions – what happened? how did it make you feel? Should the mind wander bring it back to the area of reflection.
Listen Deeply. Allow the waves of inner learnings to arise. Most of the insights will be nuggets that resonate deep within. You may like some insights and others not quite so much. Come at them all from a space of curiosity and without judgment. Take it all in – it is all learning.
Doing “the pause” can be done in many ways -- sitting or lying down or even walking. There is no one right way to do it. What’s important is to give yourself the time take “the pause.” It can be a few minutes after lunch, or a before a meeting or mid-way through a piece of work. Making the space for “the pause” allows you to grow through the learnings that arise in “the pause.” By listening to the learning, you are more informed, more engaged and more aware. “The pause” allows you to become the best you can be, so that you can fully give to others.
Experience The Power of the Pause