Pause 1-Between the Outer and the Inner
A gentle invitation to shift from unconscious dreaming to conscious awakening in our daily lives.
Between the Outer and the Inner
A gentle invitation to shift from unconscious dreaming to conscious awakening in our daily lives.
The Wisdom of Jung
I excitedly offer our first Pause! Remember these are designed to be week-long walking meditations as we move through our lives and our studios. Please add your awakened thoughts to the conversation that will start below each week's offering and create not only in this journal but all of your work from this point of the Pause... Much Love ❤️
Carl Jung tells us, "Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." These words invite us to consider the subtle yet profound choice we make in how we engage with the world and ourselves.
The Unconscious Default
In the rush of life—between tasks, meetings, and distractions—we often default to "looking outside." We chase external validation, immerse ourselves in endless noise, and dream of some distant satisfaction. These are the moments when we are living unconsciously, letting the external dictate the rhythm of our lives.
The outward gaze is seductive. It promises solutions, distractions, and the comforting illusion that happiness lies just beyond our reach—in the next achievement, the next purchase, or the next relationship. This constant outward orientation keeps us in a perpetual state of dreaming about what could be, rather than awakening to what is.
The Transformative Question
But what happens if we pause, even for a breath, and turn inward? What if we take these transitional moments—between the emails, the errands, the noise—and ask ourselves:
- Am I dreaming or awakening right now?
- Am I seeking outwardly for meaning, or am I turning inward to hear my heart's wisdom?
- What truth is waiting for me, here and now, in my inner world?
These questions aren't meant to dismiss our engagement with the external world. Rather, they invite a profound shift in how we relate to both our inner and outer experiences. They remind us that true creativity, authentic expression, and meaningful connection all begin with this inward turn.
The Practice of Pausing
As you move through your day, consider taking a moment between activities to let this thought settle into your awareness: Am I looking outward, or am I waking up to what's within? Close your eyes, feel your breath, and notice what arises.
Let this pause remind you of your power to shift from unconscious dreaming to conscious awakening. To ask not what the world demands of you, but what your heart is whispering.
In our studios, this practice becomes particularly potent. Before reaching for tools or materials, pause. Before responding to creative frustration, pause. Before declaring a work finished, pause. In each of these moments, the question remains the same: Am I looking outside for solutions, or am I awakening to the wisdom already present within?
An Invitation, Not a Reprimand
Jung's quote isn't a reprimand—it's an invitation. To dream is human, but to awaken is divine. And awakening isn't a grand moment; it's a gentle practice, unfolding with every pause.
The beauty of this practice lies in its simplicity and accessibility. No special equipment is needed, no elaborate rituals required. Just the willingness to stop, even for a moment, and turn your attention inward. To become curious about what's happening in the landscape of your heart and mind.
As we journey through this series of Pauses together, may this first exploration serve as a foundation for all that follows. For in learning to pause between the outer and the inner, we discover the sacred threshold where unconscious dreaming transforms into conscious awakening.
What will you discover in your pause today?