People sometimes agonize over whether they are drinking enough water or eating enough nourishing food or doing enough exercise. Spiritual seekers sometimes wonder whether they are praying or meditating enough. How often, if at all, have we wondered whether we are pausing enough in our lives?
It may do every one of us a world of good if we asked ourselves—How often do I use the pause button while watching a movie? Or while listening to an audiobook or a podcast? How often do I pause while eating or reading or talking? How often do I pause before reacting impulsively to what’s happening around me?
Mozart (1756–91) is reported to have said that “music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” French composer Claude Debussy (1862–1918) said something similar: “Music is the space between the notes.” The pause provides silence which allows the notes to reverberate and reach their full potential. Without those pauses, music risks being monotonous or robotic. Rhythm is made up of sounds and silences. Without those silences there is no rhythm, and what is music without any rhythm?
We can awaken the “rhythm” in life by strategic pauses. Which is why pauses play a vital role in life, breaking life’s monotony and infusing it with fresh energy and clarity. Nature already provides us opportunities to pause through the alternating cycle of day and night. The exhaustion of the waking hours forces us to rest, and sleep provides the much needed pause. It is by no means a perfect pause, for the mind remains active when we dream. It is deep sleep (suṣupti) that provides a true pause and that is what truly rests both body and mind. We feel more rested when there are fewer dreams and a longer deep sleep.
The best pause, even better than the one provided by deep sleep, is experienced in good meditation, especially in the state of spiritual absorption (samādhi). That is when time (kāla) stops and space (deśa) becomes irrelevant. When we reenter the domain of time and space, we not only feel rested but changed in some way. With inner change comes outer change—when I change, the world changes for me. That is the only way to bring about a lasting change in what we see and experience.
I read the following recently regarding how the renowned soccer player Messi uses “pause” instinctively to handle anxiety:
“In soccer, while most players actively engage from the very start of the match, Lionel Messi, renowned for his prowess, adopts a distinctive approach by mostly walking and observing during the game’s initial moments. Rather than immediate involvement, Messi uses these moments for dual purposes: first, to calm himself, ensuring he's emotionally and physically poised for the game’s intense moments, and second, to meticulously assess the opposition's strategy and vulnerabilities. Such a methodical approach, although counterintuitive, allows Messi to elevate his performance during the crucial segments of the game, often resulting in him making pivotal moves at critical junctures. An iconic example is a 2017 match against Real Madrid, where despite walking for the majority of the game, Messi's focused engagements led to significant plays. This deliberate pausing underscores a broader life lesson about the value of slowing down and preparing, especially in moments of anxiety. Contrary to our natural instincts to react hastily, there’s profound wisdom in strategic inaction.”
from Vedanta Blog - Vedanta Society https://ift.tt/f7ZKWl3
