Yesterday's post was my best shot at writing about the Sacred Pause from my currrent experience. I've learned about this wonderful 'bit' of spiritual formation from many mindful writers.
What follows is Pema Chodron's version from her new book Living Beautifully. I've learned so much from Pema--as well as from Jon Kabbat-Zinn, Cynthia Bourgeault, and Jack Kornfield.
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It
is only to the degree that we become willing to face our own feelings that we
can really help others. So we make a commitment that for the rest of our lives
we’ll train in freeing ourselves from the tyranny of our own reactivity, our
own survival mechanisms, our own propensities to be hooked.
Fundamental
uneasiness will continue to arise over and over, but when it does, we won’t
overreact to it, we won’t let it rule our life…. We can catch the spark of
irritation, impatience, or disappointment before it bursts into the flames of
anger. The following practice allows us to look at what’s happening around us
while simultaneously being aware of what’s happening inside us.
1. Come into the present. Flash on
what’s happening with you right now. Be fully aware of your body, its energetic
quality. Be aware of your thoughts and emotions.
2. Feel your heart, literally placing
your hand on your chest if you find that helpful. This is a way of accepting
yourself just as you are in that moment, a way of saying, “This is my
experience right now, and it’s okay.
3. Go into the next moment without any
agenda.
