Finding the Pause

Finding the Pause

Podcast Summary

Life can feel overwhelming, with endless tasks, distractions, and responsibilities pulling us in every direction. Amid this chaos, I’ve discovered the profound power of ‘The Pause’—a deliberate moment of stillness that reconnects us to ourselves and the present.

In our latest podcast episode, “Finding the Pause,” I explored this transformative concept, diving into the significance of ‘The Gap’ and sharing ways to embrace it in our everyday lives. Whether you’re new to mindfulness or a seasoned practitioner, the insights I shared offer meaningful ways to rediscover clarity, peace, and connection.

Understanding the Pause or Gap in Awareness

‘The Gap’ is not just an abstract idea; it’s the stillness between thoughts, breaths, and moments—a serene pause that exists beyond the mind’s incessant chatter. In this episode, I reflect on ‘The Gap’ as a universal truth accessible to anyone willing to slow down and observe. Unlike the chaos of our daily routines, it offers clarity, inner peace, and a profound connection to ourselves and the world around us.

I shared my personal journey of discovering this stillness. At first, it felt elusive and unattainable amidst the overwhelming flow of thoughts. But as I persisted with meditation and mindfulness, these fleeting pauses became more apparent, as if they had always been there, quietly waiting for me to notice. To me, ‘The Gap’ is a space of infinite potential, described in spiritual traditions as the essence of awareness—the silence behind the noise of the mind. Touching this space, even briefly, brings a heightened sense of being—one that transcends the ordinary and connects us to something greater. Recognizing ‘The Gap’ isn’t about creating it but about realizing its ever-present nature, hidden in plain sight within our daily lives. By understanding ‘The Gap,’ we find a profound reminder: amidst the busyness of life, there exists an oasis of stillness within us all—a quiet space that holds the key to peace, presence, and connection.

Practical Techniques to Access the Gap

Accessing ‘The Gap’ doesn’t require mastery of complex techniques but a commitment to simplicity and presence. I’ve found that grounding myself is the best starting point. By feeling my connection to the earth, I create stability and a sense of safety that makes inward focus much easier.

Breathwork has been central to my practice. By gently observing the natural flow of my breath, I attune to the pauses between inhalations and exhalations. These subtle gaps act as doorways to ‘The Gap.’ I’ve learned not to force stillness but to approach it with ease and curiosity. The more I let go of striving, the more naturally stillness emerges. For those who find sitting meditation challenging, I suggest integrating mindfulness into daily activities. I’ve experienced ‘The Gap’ while walking mindfully, noticing each step, or pausing during a busy day to take a conscious breath. Even simple acts like sipping tea or listening to nature’s sounds can connect us to this inner stillness.

These techniques remind me that ‘The Gap’ is always available, whether in structured practice or spontaneous moments. Over time, they’ve deepened my connection to stillness, making it an integral part of my everyday life.

Integrating 'The Pause' into Daily Life

For me, transformation truly began when ‘The Pause’ shifted from being an occasional practice to a way of living. I’ve discovered that stillness doesn’t need to be confined to meditation—it can be found in the ordinary. Quiet moments in the morning, while cooking, or observing nature have become opportunities to access ‘The Gap.’

During life’s challenges, ‘The Pause’ has been my anchor. When stress or overwhelm takes hold, I turn to the stillness of ‘The Gap’ for clarity and grounding. Simply breathing and noticing this space helps me respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. Embracing ‘The Pause’ isn’t about escaping discomfort but transforming it through presence. By resting in the stillness between thoughts, I’ve learned to face difficulties with peace and resilience. This practice has helped me deepen my connection to myself and the world, enriching my life in ways I never imagined.

Conclusion

Life’s beauty often resides in the pauses—in the stillness between breaths, the silence between words, and the serenity between thoughts. ‘The Gap’ reminds me that peace is always available, even in the busiest moments. It offers a way to navigate life’s complexities with grace, resilience, and clarity. As I move through my day, I intentionally seek out ‘The Pause.’ I start small: noticing the space between my breaths or the quiet between sounds. These moments of stillness have transformed not only my day but also my perspective on life.

By embracing ‘The Pause,’ I’ve found not only peace but also a deeper connection to myself and the world around me. It’s a reminder that beneath the noise and chaos lies a place of calm and infinite potential. May this practice guide you, as it has guided me, toward a life of presence, purpose, and profound connection.

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Abdi Assadi is unlike any other healer or spiritual teacher ever encountered. He is an expert in martial arts, and a dynamic healer practicing a diverse array of Chinese and Eastern Medicine, indigenous shamanic rituals, and meditation techniques. With a clinical practice in New York City for almost 4 decades, Abdi has accumulated a vast knowledge of real life experience working with several thousands of individuals, guiding them through the most difficult times, and teaching them how to understand themselves. One of the greatest things about him is he merges the human psyche with the spiritual psyche.

Steeped in deep wisdom and insight that is rare to find on this planet in these modern times, Abdi has an extraordinary ability in perceiving and comprehending human souls and their individual psyche. Guided by the divine, Abdi guides you to open up and see beyond your limited Self, into your own soul. His impeccable discernment enables him to unleash personal remarks that pierce through your veil, statements that you will never forget and in an instant alter your perception of yourself and your reality.

– Quotes from Shadows on the Path by Abdi Assadi:


All spiritual masters teach us that love is an activity before it is a condition – and that love is all-encompassing.
Page 18


It felt like I was coming off a race track and driving in a school zone. He knew, years before I did, that my speed was my way of suppressing my early childhood anxiety, and that only slowing down could heal it.

Why do you need to use all these words like God and spirituality? It is right here Abdi, all around you, all the time
Page 40


one does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.
Page 51


Ultimately it keeps grace out of our lives because we are using our will power to manipulate every event and person around us.
Page 74


His lesson, which I had begun to learn for myself, is that outside circumstances do not define our internal experience if we can surrender into them. Painful or undesirable situations will always arise; true suffering comes from our ego’s desire to resist life as it is.
Page 77


Note from Pernilla:
I met Abdi in the fall of 2014 and when I arrived in his office the first thing he said was, “It’s time that you stop carrying other people’s anxiety.” In the year that followed, my entrenched codependency patterns reared their ugly heads and I was confronted with a part of myself that I had never even known was there.

A few years later, Abdi said, “When are you going to start writing your book?”I looked at him in surprise. I was not a writer. My expertise was centered around creating crazy good Excel spreadsheets. However, I started writing and collecting notes about life issues and life experiences … and here we are a few years later.

Sally Kempton is a preeminent meditation teacher of our time.

She is an expert scholar in Hinduism and all Hindu texts especially in Kashmir Shaivisim. Formerly Swami Durgananda, she left monastic life in the 1980’s to teach publicly. She has written several books and is one of the most known and loved spiritual teachers in our time.

Note from Pernilla:

I met Sally at one of her workshops at City Yoga in LA in 2003. She had the most gentle and loving disposition, and I just wanted to always be around her. I was fortunate to have been part of her two year-long “Transformative journey” courses in 2006 and 2007 and many retreats ever since. She is the true representation of unconditional love and transmits intense shakti from her Guru Swami Muktananda.

Sally is the primary building block and foundation in my spiritual journey. Without her, I would have never found and stuck with meditation – the most transformative experience of my life. Without her, I would have been lost without a clue where to go next. Her wealth of knowledge of yogic philosophy and incredible understanding of the human condition is what makes her a force to be reckoned with.  She understands your depth and makes you feel seen, heard, validated, and deeply loved.