Meditation. The word itself sounds so serious and dull. Like dedication. Concentration. Frustration. Desperation. No wonder so many of us think, ‘I can’t do it.’

Let’s see if we can call it something else. 

Pause.

Can you pause?

Can you take a short pause in your day to simply sit and rest your thoughts? Maybe three minutes. Five minutes? Maybe just three breaths? Yes, of course you can. You can take a pause. 

All you need to do now is figure out what it is you like to ‘think about’ for those short periods that helps you to focus, relax, and quieten the mind. Typically, we think about the breath. 

People often say to me. “I can’t do it. I can’t just sit there and think of nothing. It doesn’t work for me.” I get it, me too. We need to find something pleasant to occupy our minds with, something akin to the daydream we might drift off to after a long lunch on a sunny afternoon.

As you continue to read see if you can notice the sensation of the breath coming in through the nostrils. We feel slightly cool air, like a breeze coming in the nose. It’s slightly warmer on the way out. You have directed your thoughts to something quiet and pleasant you have chosen. You can pause. You can meditate. 

Try three breaths. Eyes open or closed, your choice. See can you simply pause everything for just three breaths to pay attention to the cool air coming in your nostrils as you breathe in. 

After just three breaths your body and your mind have relaxed. Your blood pressure has dropped slightly and your heart rate has slowed down. The systems in your inner body have shifted from ‘busy-doing’ to ‘relaxing’. This is therapeutic and healing for every cell in your body. You have given your mind a little rest, a momentary pause to rest and refresh, like a shower in the midst of a busy day. 

As yogis, we would also say you have connected to your spirit. Your true you. You have touched into, and awakened, the place you function from when you are connected to your authentic self. You at your most engaged; relaxed, focused, feeling well, feeling happy. 

Pause. Pause and take a breather. Pause and regain strength before moving forward. Pause everything, just for a few moments and connect to who you truly are. Then take a deep breath and shine on!