Precerpt from Pathways to Inner Peace (Dreher)

Precerpt (excerpt prior to publication) from Pathways to Inner Peace by Diane Dreher, currently available on pre-order.

TAKING A MINDFUL PAUSE
WEEK 1, DAY 6

Taking a mindful pause throughout our days can help us overcome the constant rushing of the hurry sickness and restore our oneness with the present moment.

Many of us are caught up in hurry because we cram too many activities into our days. Pausing to reflect at the end of the day and mindfully review the next day’s plans can bring us greater perspective. If tomorrow’s schedule looks too busy, we can delay, delegate, or delete some tasks to make our day more manageable.

We can also pause throughout the day, taking slow, deep, mindful breaths to become more present. My colleague Andre Delbecq, former dean of Santa Clara’s business school, used to encourage busy Silicon Valley CEOs to pause each morning for a mindful moment before getting out of their cars at work in order to be more fully present that day. He’d also remind them to pause at their car doors for another mindful moment at the end of the day to release all the work stress before heading home

When I was teaching at Santa Clara University, I hung a bell on the doorknob inside my office door. This “bell of mindfulness,” would remind me to pause for a deep, mindful breath before leaving for class. Then, I began seeing each door as a portal to greater mindfulness. I’d pause to become more present at the door of my classroom, the door of a meeting room, and before opening my car door when leaving to return home at the end of the day.

Sometimes, we can get caught up in stress when we’re worried about running late. My friend Carolyn Mitchell used to commute from Oakland on the busy Nimitz freeway to teach at Santa Clara University. When she was stuck in heavy traffic, there was nothing she could do to get there faster. But she could calm her racing heart by taking a deep, mindful breath and telling herself, “I am on God’s time.” A beautiful affirmation like this can remind us that we are connected to a power greater than we are.

When you catch yourself rushing—to meet a deadline, catch up on errands, make an appointment, or meet someone’s expectations, you can take a mindful pause. Perhaps, like Carolyn, you can say an affirmation that reminds you of your part in the larger whole.

Exercise: Taking a Mindful Pause

Now it’s your turn to practice taking a mindful pause.

· Will you pause in the evening to look over the next day’s schedule and make any adjustments to prevent mindless rushing?

· Will you pause at the door of your car and the beginning and end of each workday?

· Will you see each doorway today as a signal to pause and take a deep, mindful breath to become more fully present?

· Will you find a way to pause whenever you catch yourself rushing, to say an affirmation to become more fully present?

· Will you find another way to make a mindful pause part of your day?

Now record your experience here or in your journal.

******************************************************************************

Taking a Mindful Pause: ______________

Date

When did you take a mindful pause today?

______________________________________________________________________________

What was your experience? _______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

How can you make a mindful pause a regular part of your days?

______________________________________________________________________________

Book Description

Pathways to Inner Peace offers a guiding light of hope in a world too often filled with stress, disconnection, and uncertainty. Blending scientific insight, spiritual wisdom, personal stories, and practical exercises, this book helps readers cultivate peace of mind and deepen their connection—to themselves, to others, and to the natural world. Inspiring and accessible, it’s a companion for anyone seeking greater clarity, calm, and meaning in daily life.

Keywords

inner peace; mindfulness; emotional well-being; stress relief; spiritual growth; personal transformation; self-awareness; holistic healing; mind-body connection' guided exercises; peace of mind; connection to nature; self-discovery; practical spirituality; daily calm; clarity and purpose; mental health; resilience; inspirational stories; meditation and reflection

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