The pause at the end of the exhalation

and the pause at the end of inhalation

are special places.

Here

nothing happens

or nothing seems to happen.

Yet the old air is travelling away from me

the new breath is ready to move in.

In that space in between,

there is silence.

It opens one door after another.

In only a moment it creates lightness and space.

A ripple runs through the body.

Listening to the breath requires a new kind of intelligence.

It is present,

it watches,

it witnesses.

I am becoming aware of the awareness that watches.

It is constant and unchanging.

It helps my distracted mind take a break,

returning calm and joyful.

It is not attached to any stories,

past,

present

or future.

It just is.

It is pure.