That moment when a space opens up between what came before and what follows, between the past and the future; that space that reclaims the present moment and reminds us of its profound power of integration, transformation, and unity.

In a world that moves at an ever-accelerating pace, where daily life is permeated with frenzy and stress, with goals to meet, objectives to achieve, and an endless external search for recognition, validation, and belonging; the pause reminds us of the importance of stopping, of assessing whether that pace is sustainable, of finding what is truly important and a priority, and of letting go of unnecessary pressures.

Robert Payton tells us in his book *Pause/You Are Not a To-Do List* that many of life’s most enriching experiences can occur precisely during the space that the pause grants us. Whether we’re talking about a short pause, a fleeting moment; or, on the contrary, a long pause, lasting many days, weeks, or perhaps years; The pause gives us the opportunity and the gift of experiencing and feeling the present moment and reality as it is.

In reality, the pause is a simple concept, and perhaps that’s why we sometimes fail to appreciate its true value. The mind tends to undervalue the simple and give more importance to the complex, the sophisticated, that which only a few can achieve.

Human beings are wonderful and complete, but they can get lost in the doing and thus become mere human doers, distancing themselves from their essence and reducing themselves to a to-do list. This is what John Kabat-Zinn talks about in his book, Mindfulness for Beginners. It is in being that our true essence resides. The pause is a tool that guides us toward the possibility of finding that state and from there, shining with our potential, so that we can then more consciously access what comes next, what lies on the other side of the pause, of the moment.

“We are in this world to live, not just survive,” Dr. Mario Alonso Puig reminds us. He also encourages us to value “stopping to repair.” Our bodies and minds need pauses for their well-being. The body is designed to enjoy moments of rest. In that rest, that space between the activities of the day we leave behind and those to come, lies the foundation of human health and well-being. Pausing allows us to integrate and then continue with greater clarity, vitality, and purpose; and most importantly, we ALL have access to it.