Let us take a moment to explore a space often overlooked,
Yet profoundly transformative – the pause between our breaths.
This brief,
Almost imperceptible moment,
Where neither inhalation nor exhalation exists,
Holds the secret to a deep spiritual connection with the universe.
It is a space of pure potential,
The silent hum of existence itself.
We often live our lives moving from one thing to the next,
Always in a state of becoming,
Striving,
Reaching.
Our breath too mirrors this restlessness,
The constant cycle of inhale and exhale.
But in these moments lies the pause.
It is not empty,
It is a portal to the infinite.
In this pause,
We connect to everything and nothing.
We touch the vibration of the universe,
The subtle energy that underlies all of existence.
It is the still point where time seems to stop,
Where we can truly meet the present moment.
To cultivate awareness of this pause is to cultivate a profound mindfulness,
A deep listening.
It is a practice of coming home to the self,
Of noticing the gap where the mind's chatter quiets and we are simply being.
It's where the individual self dissolves and we merge with the greater whole,
The oneness of the cosmos.
In this pause,
We are not doing,
We are simply being.
It is a space beyond the ego,
Beyond desires and fears,
Beyond the stories we tell ourselves.
It is a space of pure presence and peace.
So this practice invites you to become keen observers of your breath and more importantly,
The stillness within it.
We are often conditioned to focus on the action,
The inhale,
The exhale,
The movement,
The doing.
But it is in the stillness,
The non-doing that we discover the true essence of mindfulness.
When we bring our attention to this pause,
We begin to realize that it is not just a pause in our breath,
But a pause in our mind,
A moment of complete surrender.
It is an opportunity to experience the vastness of our own being,
To touch the divine within us and around us.
Meditation.
Let's take this exploration inward now.
I invite you to find a comfortable position,
Whether seated or lying down,
Where you can relax but remain alert.
Gently close your eyes if that feels comfortable,
Bringing your awareness to your breath.
Don't try to change it or control it,
Simply observe it.
Feel the cool air entering your nostrils,
Filling your lungs,
Expanding your belly.
Notice the warmth as you exhale,
The gentle release.
Now,
Begin to notice the space between the breaths.
As you inhale,
Observe the natural pause before the exhale begins.
And as you exhale,
Observe the pause before the next inhale.
This is the space of pure potential,
Of quiet presence.
I invite you to rest your awareness in this pause.
Let go of any effort,
Any need to do or achieve.
Simply be with the stillness.
Notice how it feels.
Perhaps it is subtle,
Almost imperceptible,
Like a whisper.
It may feel like a soft hum,
A gentle vibration,
The silent music of the universe playing within you.
So,
Allow yourself to sink into this pause.
In this space,
There is nothing to strive for,
Nothing to grasp.
You are simply witnessing the dance of the breath and the stillness in between.
Feel the expansion of your awareness as you connect with the quiet rhythm of the universe.
This is the vibration of the cosmos,
The underlying current of all that is.
With each breath,
Deepen your presence in this pause.
Allow it to expand,
To open up.
Feel yourself connected to everything,
To the earth beneath you,
To the sky above you,
To every living being.
At the same time,
Feel the connection to the nothingness,
The pure space of emptiness that is full of possibility.
This is the space where you are whole,
Complete and infinite.
As you rest here,
Notice any sensations,
Any shifts in your awareness.
Perhaps there is a feeling of lightness,
A sense of being held by the universe.
Perhaps there is a deep peace,
Perhaps there is a deep peace,
Quiet joy.
Whatever arises,
Let it be.
There is no right or wrong experience,
Only the experience of being fully present in this moment.
In thoughts arise,
As they naturally will,
Gently guide your attention back to the pause.
It's not about pushing thoughts away,
But returning again and again to the stillness,
The space of connection.
This practice is not about perfection,
It's about presence.
It's about honoring the sacred pause and allowing it to unfold within you.
So stay here as long as you feel comfortable exploring this pause,
This connection to everything and nothing.
When you're ready,
Gently bring your awareness back to your body,
To the room around you.
Begin to deepen your breath,
Perhaps wiggling your fingers and toes.
And when you feel ready,
Gently open your eyes.
Carry this awareness of the pause with you as you move through your day.
Remember that this space of connection is always available to you.
A reminder of the profound unity of existence and the simple beauty of being.
Thank you for bringing your awareness to this practice.
May it bring you peace,
Clarity and a deeper connection to the universe within and around you.
