Thesedays,manyofusliveinastateofoverreactivefight-or-flightresponseandchronicstress.Thedemandsofmodernlifepullusinalldirectionsandcanoftenputthemeaningfulconnectionsinourlivesatrisk--connectionstoourdeepestselves,toothers,andeventoGod.Butthereisgoodnews.Newdevelopmentsinbrainsciencehaverecentlyproventhatanintentionalpracticeofpausingforafewminutesofmeditation,prayer,orothercontemplativepracticeactuallyrewiresourbraininwaysthatmakeuscalmer,lessreactive,andbetterabletoseethebiggerpicture.InPracticethePause,spiritualdirectorandwriterCarolineOakesofferseasy-to-understandexplanationsofhowthisnewbrainscienceisconfirmingwhateveryspiritualtraditionhasbeentellingusformillennia:bypracticingthepause,webecomemoreself-awareandbetterabletounderstandothers.Webecomemore““Godaware.““WitharefreshingfocusontheEasternChristianunderstandingofJesusasamasterofwisdom,OakesshinesaspotlightonJesus’sowncenteringpausepracticeasatransformativepathforpersonalandsocialchange.Welearnthatevenaseven-secondpausepracticecanmoveusbeyondthefight-or-flightresponsesofouregoinourdailylivesandactuallyequipustocultivatethecommongoodintheworld.
