borrowing from the spiritual world
In 2019, our Scot-Dane-Irish and religiously Jewish family visited Morocco to visit my oldest as she finished her study abroad program. The trip was a-mazing, but the first morning was alarming.
This alarm was not one of danger but devotion—the call to prayer, the Adhan. Five times a day, this invitation cuts through the din of daily life, calling the Islamic faithful to pause and pray.
Growing up Catholic, church bells served a similar purpose, beckoning believers to stop and reflect upon the divine.
In Judaism, the practice of daily prayer and reflection strengthens the fabric of the faith, with three moments during the day for spiritual nourishment.
In Hinduism, rituals like Sandhyavandanam mark transitions of the day, encouraging reflection at dawn, noon, and dusk. And in Buddhism, the practice of mindfulness and meditation is not confined to a schedule but is a continual thread throughout a practitioner's daily life.
Each religion, in its own way, advocates for regular intervals of introspection and mindfulness, much like the ringing of church bells or the setting of the sun, which serves as natural reminders for contemplation and grounding. These moments, whether called prayers, meditation, or mindfulness, offer a common ground: a call to hop off the 'hamster wheel' and connect with something more profound within ourselves, our wholeness.
Pause Breathe Reflect is a secular practice but borrows from religions. Our practice isn't a transactional, check-the-box morning routine but rather a way of bringing mindfulness into our everyday moments.
As we celebrate our 1st year, you will notice that your app will appear different in the morning, during the day, and in the evening, and it will invite you to take mini-mindfulness breaks to help you change your relationship with stress, increase productivity, sleep with ease and approach your day with thoughtfulness.
It's about recognizing that to function at our best and ripple goodness into the world, we must allow ourselves the gift of stepping back if only for a moment, to gain clarity and peace.
In this spirit, P.B.R. pulls inspiration from these age-old traditions. Our 'tap-on-the-shoulder' notifications are peaceful alarms for tranquility. In doing so, we can experience these breaks not as interruptions but as essential moments that help us develop a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us.
Until next week, ripple something worth rippling.
Michael
This alarm was not one of danger but devotion—the call to prayer, the Adhan. Five times a day, this invitation cuts through the din of daily life, calling the Islamic faithful to pause and pray.
Growing up Catholic, church bells served a similar purpose, beckoning believers to stop and reflect upon the divine.
In Judaism, the practice of daily prayer and reflection strengthens the fabric of the faith, with three moments during the day for spiritual nourishment.
In Hinduism, rituals like Sandhyavandanam mark transitions of the day, encouraging reflection at dawn, noon, and dusk. And in Buddhism, the practice of mindfulness and meditation is not confined to a schedule but is a continual thread throughout a practitioner's daily life.
Each religion, in its own way, advocates for regular intervals of introspection and mindfulness, much like the ringing of church bells or the setting of the sun, which serves as natural reminders for contemplation and grounding. These moments, whether called prayers, meditation, or mindfulness, offer a common ground: a call to hop off the 'hamster wheel' and connect with something more profound within ourselves, our wholeness.
Pause Breathe Reflect is a secular practice but borrows from religions. Our practice isn't a transactional, check-the-box morning routine but rather a way of bringing mindfulness into our everyday moments.
As we celebrate our 1st year, you will notice that your app will appear different in the morning, during the day, and in the evening, and it will invite you to take mini-mindfulness breaks to help you change your relationship with stress, increase productivity, sleep with ease and approach your day with thoughtfulness.
It's about recognizing that to function at our best and ripple goodness into the world, we must allow ourselves the gift of stepping back if only for a moment, to gain clarity and peace.
In this spirit, P.B.R. pulls inspiration from these age-old traditions. Our 'tap-on-the-shoulder' notifications are peaceful alarms for tranquility. In doing so, we can experience these breaks not as interruptions but as essential moments that help us develop a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us.
Until next week, ripple something worth rippling.
Michael