Between stimulus and response there is a space....

[Emha]

Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response.
In those choices lie our growth and happiness.
- Viktor Frankl -

One way we can find inner peace is by becoming mindful of how we respond to persons, places and things.
If we allow ourselves to respond automatically, as we have always done before, we can be filled with anger, fear, jealousy, and all the negative emotions that have pulled us down in the past.
Instead, when a new situation occurs that pushes our buttons, we can stop, be mindful of how we are feeling, and choose to feel peace.
We can choose to take a consious breath, which creates a new space and gives us time to slow down our reactions. In that space we can make a consious choice as how we want to respond.

from: Peace in our hearts, Peace in the world.

[Glen]

I should have learned this by now. But everyone learns at their own pace.

[M]

Heeeeeerlijk boek, hè?
(nu is het mijn beurt, denk ik..)
I think you picked a gem here, Emhaatje...
It's a wonderful book.
And Maggie, what a perfect example of conscious presence.. you did very well :-)
Eckhart would be proud of you (as are we)

[Maria]

Hi Emha! Thank you, for sharing this wonderful text. All the best Maria,

[Maggie]

a perfect example of what you are describing happened to me today when I received very disappointing news. i felt my body simply deflating. I could not believe the terrible news i was hearing. BUT i consciously decided to pause....i didn't allow myself to freak out, but I also did not try to "cheer myself up" I decided instead to do nothing, honor my temporary disappointment, knowing that after a good night's sleep I would have healthy realistic and most likely optimistic view of things. i love how you described it here....between stimulus and response....a pause - a resting period!!

[Mascha]

Beautiful!!!!