Pause! Inner Connection is the Key to Create Value Outside Yourself

“ You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”?–Franz Kafka

To me, these words of Franz Kafka help define the state of “ inner connection” most poetically and profoundly.

Whenever I have asked people in my corporate workshops if anyone felt their lives were too busy - every person raised their hand.

Yet, at the start of a new year/month/week, we draw a list of resolutions - a few practical while most others stretched and unrealistic - setting the stage for disappointment and demotivation. Hardly surprising! When we don't take the time to tune in, such resolutions may reflect?what we think we should do?rather than?what we want to do. But life has taught most of us that to be successful at any change, we first need to?feel?and desire it.

The Need of the Hour?

We need “self-awareness”, which seems lost amid our need for constant distraction and entertainment!

In our quest for living optimally, we may constantly refocus our priorities by searching for new environments, diets, gadgets and gizmos to help us stay on top of life. However, sometimes in all of this - a whole way of an authentic “ inner connection” passes us by, simply because we are unaware that such an experiential state even exists!

Maybe, with no experience in meditation, this may sound vague and all fluff to a few. But, those who would know would readily vouch that tuning within is an 'empowering' experience. Even if we do nothing, it can help us tap into a transformative state that is wonderfully cleansing while and at the same time highly productive too.

6 Ways to Forge a Deep Connection with Yourself:

As Franz Kafka says, you needn't even leave your room to have the world wondrously roll at your feet in ecstasy!

These tips are meditative in action and will help you discover and stay connected to this wondrous Zen - even in the humdrum of daily life.

1. Pause to Practice Gratitude

This "pause" practice?can refresh, de-stress and put you in touch with the miracles of your life instantly. The fact that you can walk, breathe, see, laugh, cry, work, and??love is ample reason to acknowledge your blessings.

2. Practice Mindful Listening

Listening with your attention and not your ears is an art that firmly anchors you at the moment. When someone speaks - gently shift your attention to their face, eyes and breath. As you listen, try and match your breath to theirs. This act may help drop any filters of past experiences to make mindful responses.

3. Enjoy Meditative Walking

Every time you walk, try to bring your attention to your feet as they touch the ground. Tune into your breathing, to everything that spans your vision or to the movement of your arms as you walk along. After a long day sitting at work, walking with mindfulness is an active practice that can help strengthen your concentration, makes you more aware, and connect you to the present moment.

4. Discover your Inner Oasis of Peace.

No matter how stressed you are, there will always exist a place in your body that feels more peaceful and calm than any other. Scan your body slowly with deep awareness to identify your comfort cocoon and gently breathe into that space. Retreat there often in a day to stay connected to your inner calm.

5. Revel in the Life-changing Magic of Putting Pen to Paper

It is not about penning a novel but instead using it as a therapeutic exercise to filter half-formed goals, random tangents and brain dump all thought patterns that can sometimes become stuck. Such writing helps open pathways for new creative and transformative experiences.

6. Become Aware of Your Soundscape

Everyday sounds such as the sound of your breathing, of doors opening and closing, of birds chirping, or your shower flowing have become so familiar that we no longer hear them. Making a conscious effort to listen to these sounds can bring you to a higher state of awareness as you go through the day.

Finally, stopping the rat race of our productive life is never easy. Most of us feel there is never enough time or energy to get everything done. However, " inner awareness" brings peace within, makes us wholly present at the moment, and helps us appreciate our precious lives! Every such attempt can add a twinkle to our wrinkle by making it a transformative moment for our mind and spirit, helping us bring infinite value to our work and personal lives.

Love & Light - Lovina