Mini-Sabbath: The pause that refreshes

(Photo by Eliel Hoseph Schafler)

Although many think of Sabbath as a day (or even as many months of sabbatical leave), Rev. Kathy Bozzuti-Jones views Sabbath as a “sacred pause.”

This is not just any kind of a pause, but the almost-indiscernible space that occurs “between a thought and a reaction to a thought.”

Recognizing and heeding this space can result in the “liberating” ability to refrain from reacting “to every thought or feeling or conflict” that arises.

Biofeedback methods can come in handy when attempting to choose a “mini-Sabbath” over an instant reaction.  Bozzuti-Jones recommends the following technique:  Simply breathe in slowly on a count of 3

and out again on a count of 6 with ten repetitions.

Such a refreshing practice can yield these spiritual benefits:  “to encounter God, to connect to… true self, to choose love over fear, to sort out the good and the life-giving.”

  

Resources

http://onespiritinterfaith.org/sacre-pause-sabbath/