Embracing the Steadying Influence: The Art of Pausing and the Teachings of Sydney Banks
“When you find yourself connected to your true Self, the illusion of separateness dissolves.” – Sydney Banks, The Missing Link
Pausing for Serenity
As I reflect on the magical weekend I recently spent in Galway with the wonderful Dicken Bettinger and Natasha Swerdloff, where they shared the teachings of Sydney Banks, I’ve realised a profound truth.
Through my eight-year journey in these transformative conversations, I’ve experienced a remarkable shift. I now remember the truth of who I am far more often than I forget, living life with more fun and a greater sense of ease.
Being in this conversation has helped me see through the illusion of my worrying thoughts, understanding that I am the creator of these narratives. When I find myself swept up in the turbulence of my imagination, I’ve learned to simply pause. This act of pausing has become a steadying influence, anchoring me in clarity and calm.
Discovering the Anchor Within
Life is often likened to a turbulent sea, with its ever-shifting waves of challenges and triumphs. In such chaos, finding a steadying influence becomes paramount.
For many, the deep-seated remembrance of who they truly are instills resilience and assurance. Trusting in one’s resilience and intrinsic strength allows a person to remain grounded, no matter the storm.
Understanding Thought through Sydney Banks
Sydney Banks, a visionary spiritual teacher, introduced a profound understanding of how our thoughts shape our experiences of life. His teachings explain that our reality is merely a projection of our thoughts,
This realisation invites individuals to explore a new dimension of freedom by observing their thoughts without attachment. To delve deeper into Banks’ teachings, consider exploring his written works and lectures, which offer an enlightening perspective on human psychology and spirituality.
The Sacred Practice of Pausing
Alongside Banks’ teachings, embracing the “Art of Pausing” offers an immediate pathway to inner tranquility. By consciously choosing to pause, you enter the sacred space beneath the swirl of mental activity, allowing you to reconnect with your essence. Here’s a simple practice to guide you:
Presence: Grounded Awareness
Begin with Presence. Take a deep breath, focus inward, and feel the air in your lungs. This grounds you in the present moment.
Allow: Settling into Quiet
Next, Allow. Let your body relax and your mind quiet. Experience this peaceful flow without judgment.
Untangle: Free Your Mind
In mindfulness, Untangle. Gently release distracting thoughts, acknowledging them, and letting them go.
Surrender: Embrace Stillness
Move toward Surrender. Accept the stillness and the peace of the present moment, embracing its beauty.
Embrace: Connect with Self-Compassion
Finally, Embrace yourself. Accept your strengths and vulnerabilities with compassion and love, finding warmth in unconditional acceptance.
Transforming Reactivity into Intentional Living
Transitioning from reactivity to intentional living begins with awareness, a key component in managing life’s challenges. The first step is to cultivate this awareness and intentionally introduce a pause in moments of stress or frustration.
This brief interlude creates a much-needed space for choice, allowing us to choose our responses rather than react impulsively.
Integrating the PAUSE into daily life can have profound effects, promoting a consistent practice that nurtures peaceful feelings and fosters compassion. As this habit takes root, it naturally leads to kinder responses and enhances our relationships with others.
Building a Foundation of Peace
Integrating the practice of pausing into daily life offers tremendous potential for creating a steady foundation rooted in self-awareness and love. This foundation is not merely a mental construct but a sacred space that lies beyond our constant mental activities.
By embracing the insights of Sydney Banks and incorporating intentional pauses into our routine, we allow ourselves to rest in this tranquil space. It becomes a sanctuary where we can reconnect with our true selves, free from the noise of reactive thoughts and emotions.
Guiding Lights to Peace
These steadying influences act as guiding lights, opening doors to a life filled with peace and fulfilment. By consistently resting in this sacred space, we nurture a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and enriched existence.
The PAUSE is not a prescription of what to do; rather, it is a description of what is available to us every time we detach from the busyness of our minds. If you are interested in reading more about ‘The PAUSE,’ I’ve written extensively about it in other blogs which you can read here.
With love,
Angela
Namaste- I honour the place in you in which the entire universe resides. I honour the place in you, of love, of light, of truth, and peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.