Calling In The Sacred Pause
There is no better medicine than rest, and breath and more rest- and community. Lets face it- starting at a young age we are taught to keep going, doing, making things happen. But in all the “doing”- what can get lost is our “being”.
I had my own shake up 2 weeks ago- as I found my mind drift from the task at hand which was to finish a long bike ride in a small island town near Os, Norway. I’ll be honest- I was losing steam with what it took to mentally stay on track of pushing forward through time and space- especially along a road with such beautiful vistas to enjoy.
I knew our destination was only 4 kilometers away, but my mind dreamed- “How lovely it would be to just go and sit in those woods over there.” “How simply delightful to just feel that moss beneath me and deeply listen.”
Well, listen I did- as immediately following I realized my bike tire had gone off the 5 inches of fresh pavement and into a soft sand gravel edge abutting loose stones and then guardrail. My bike- and me- tried to readjust for my error- but….as one of our British guides might said in the moment- “off I popped” (or landed)- and hard on the blacktop.
What was left after the immediate shock of the fall was just me sitting on the ground and a very sore shoulder and very torn up bike pants and my breath- and my concerned and caring husband.
And so- after shuttle ride, ferry ride, hospital visit and imaging, it was determined there was a fracture in my collarbone- and I I was left no other choice but to simply BE with it. To be, for the time being, with letting go of plans, being able to make my own meals, pick up things I dropped (of which there have been many this past 2 weeks) off the floor. And somehow in this letting go, another doorway opened. Into the now. Into seeing my own patterns of busyness. Into a deepening of which I’m grateful- grateful for being held, open and curious.
In fact, in these past 2 weeks, between the bouts of my own very fast breathing through discomfort, and some slight boredom for my creative/active soul, the rest has actually been really quite sweet. Clarifying as to what’s important to me, remembering why I do the work that I do, what matters most to me, and how incredibly valuable and real the breath is.. and rest- and the illuminated space within the pause.
There has been a simplicity to stillness these past 2 weeks that has helped me feel and hear a squeak in my meditative room that I never knew was there. I have somehow found delight in things in the past maybe would have felt like disappointment- including a hand delivered hot fudge sundae with everything but the forgotten hot fudge!
I’ve slowed my mind down, sped my breath up (fast connected breath really does do wonders for pain cycles)- and I’ve deepened my relationships to my spiritual community of friends. This last bit has helped so much these past 2 weeks- as being without seeing my clients and students sharing breath practices together and sacred listening, I needed my other community to step in more- and that has been really sweet.
And so, this time has been a personal recalibration- and during an auspiciously potent time as the time of the astrological Lion’s Gate and my own synchronistic birthday (55 love).
We are all at a turning point in humanity of being asked to slow down, cool down, awaken our more feminine present nature within us- regardless of gender.
And so- on this day, of the partial solar eclipse, may this be a space for YOU to take a deep breath, touch the Earth, enjoy a blueberry (OMG so good this time of year), and perhaps bring into focus what’s most important.
Underneath the pause, in the space of the breath behind the breath- may you remember that you don’t have to “do” anything to prove your worth- that you are valuable, worthy and good – just as you are. Just where you are. And that REST is the new place for frequency,
If you’re looking for your own upgrade that’s a lot more gentle than an injury- we hope you’ll join us this Sunday (my first day back!) at a beautiful barn in Freeport- for time to dip in the cool waters of casco bay (what a delight!), eat some yummy salad, deepen into the vastness of your breath, and experience the sacred soundscape of beautiful instruments of sound.
And perhaps this pause and stillness will fill your own cup. Would love to see you there! Until then- I look forward to being together soon. Am grateful to you- my incredible community of love, breath and courage. And am grateful to my right hand for helping me type all this out today! In light- Tania