--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just pausing for two to three breaths is…" description: "\"Just pausing for two to three breaths is a perfect way to stay present. This is a good use of our life. Indeed, it is an excellent, joyful use of our l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/pema-ch-dr-n-327_accepting_just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is_2441691.png" --- # Just pausing for two to three breaths is a perfect way to… ![“Just pausing for two to three breaths is a perfect way to stay present. This is a good use of our life. Indeed, it is an excellent, joyful use of our life. Instead of getting better and better at avoiding, we can learn to accept the present moment as if we had invited it, and work with it instead…” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/pema-ch-dr-n-327_accepting_just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is_2441691.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/pema-ch-dr-n-327_accepting_just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is_2441691.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/pema-ch-dr-n-327_accepting_just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is_2441691.png) > “Just pausing for two to three breaths is a perfect way to stay present. This is a good use of our life. Indeed, it is an excellent, joyful use of our life. Instead of getting better and better at avoiding, we can learn to accept the present moment as if we had invited it, and work with it instead of against it, making it our ally rather than our enemy.” [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Brief mindful breathing anchors attention, turning the present into a supportive ally rather than a foe. **In simple terms:** Breathing helps you stay present and accept the moment. Key Takeaway Use breathing to transform resistance into cooperation. Themes mindfulness acceptance presence self‑compassion Mood calm hopeful centered Type advice inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - stress reduction - anxiety management - daily meditation - work focus Key Concepts Buddhist practice psychology of attention Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate short breaths into a hectic day? - What resistance arises when you try to accept the present? A Different Perspective Brief alone may not resolve deep trauma without additional support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Allies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allies/) [Breaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaths/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Getting better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-better/) [Getting Better And Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-better-and-better/) [Joyful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joyful/) [Learn To Accept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-to-accept/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Present moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-moment/) [Stay Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stay-present/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [When we touch the center of sorrow, when we sit with discomfort without trying to fix it, when we stay present to the pain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-touch-the-center-of-sorrow-when-we-sit-with-discomfort/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The next time you lose heart and you can’t bear to experience what you’re feeling, you might recall this instruction: change the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-next-time-you-lose-heart-and-you-can-t-bear-to-experience-what/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Each time you stay present with fear and uncertainty, you're letting go of a habitual way of finding security and comfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/each-time-you-stay-present-with-fear-and-uncertainty-you-re-letting/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Instead of asking ourselves, 'How can I find security and happiness?' we could ask ourselves, 'Can I touch the center of my pain? Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/instead-of-asking-ourselves-how-can-i-find-security-and-happiness-we/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [All the terrible things we do to ourselves and others from alcoholism to character assignation to abuse to murder come from one cause: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/all-the-terrible-things-we-do-to-ourselves-and-others-from-alcoholism/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Meditation accepts us just as we are-in both our tantrums and our bad habits, in our love and commitments and happiness. It allows us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/meditation-accepts-us-just-as-we-are-in-both-our-tantrums-and-our-bad/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [I definitely work pretty hard to stay present and focused. I've also tried to create a life for myself where I'm surrounded by honest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/i-definitely-work-pretty-hard-to-stay-present-and-focused-i-ve-also/) [Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/) > [We move forward, but we must stay in the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/we-move-forward-but-we-must-stay-in-the-present/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [Whether things get better or worse depends to a considerable extent on our own actions. The recommendation of a yoga practice follows the principle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-k-v-desikachar/whether-things-get-better-or-worse-depends-to-a-considerable-extent/) [T. K. V. Desikachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-k-v-desikachar/) > [Why am I doing the work I'm doing? Why am I friends with this person? Am I living the best life I possibly can?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/why-am-i-doing-the-work-i-m-doing-why-am-i-friends-with-this-person/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [“Dear Human: You've got it all wrong. You didn't come here to master unconditional love. This is where you came from and where you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-a-walsh/dear-human-you-ve-got-it-all-wrong-you-didn-t-come-here-to-master/) Courtney A. Walsh > [I don't like to look into the future. I just want to stay in the present moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-andreescu/i-don-t-like-to-look-into-the-future-i-just-want-to-stay-in-the/) [Bianca Andreescu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-andreescu/) > [I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can be very meditative, but singing is different because when you think about things, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming-and-guitaring-can-be-very/) [Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/) > [“Do what you love; love those you care about; give service to others; and know that you’re on the right path. There’s a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-roll/do-what-you-love-love-those-you-care-about-give-service-to-others-and/) [Rich Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-roll/) > [Stay present. You'll always have time to worry later on if you want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/stay-present-you-ll-always-have-time-to-worry-later-on-if-you-want-to/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) ## More by Pema Chodron > [“LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/life-s-work-is-to-wake-up-to-let-the-things-that-enter-into-your-life/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-generosity-is-letting-go-pain-is-always-a-sign-that-we/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“If the object of meditation were something concrete, something solid and graspable - an image or a statue or a dot on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-the-object-of-meditation-were-something-concrete-something-solid/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-a-transformative-experience-to-simply-pause-instead-of/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-we-run-a-hundred-miles-an-hour-to-the-other-end-of-the-continent/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“But in this meditation technique, we are with the out-breath; there's no particular instruction about what to do until the next out-breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-in-this-meditation-technique-we-are-with-the-out-breath-there-s/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. Nothing ever really attacks us except our own confusion. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/nothing-ever-goes-away-until-it-has-taught-us-what-we-need-to-know/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn't sit for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/so-even-if-the-hot-loneliness-is-there-and-for-1-6-seconds-we-sit/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If you have rage and righteously act it out and blame it all on others, it's really you who suffers. The other people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-you-have-rage-and-righteously-act-it-out-and-blame-it-all-on/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“When we realize that the path is the goal, there’s a sense of workability. Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Whatever occurs in the confused mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-realize-that-the-path-is-the-goal-there-s-a-sense-of/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Every day is a new opportunity to work with what you have inside toward enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/every-day-is-a-new-opportunity-to-work-with-what-you-have-inside/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-someone-comes-along-and-shoots-an-arrow-into-your-heart-it-s/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) [Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just pausing for two to three breaths is a perfect way to stay present. This is a good use of our life. Indeed, it is an excellent, joyful use of our life. Instead of getting better and better at avoiding, we can learn to accept the present moment as if we had invited it, and work with it instead of against it, making it our ally rather than our enemy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pema Chodron" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is-a-perfect-way-to-stay/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accepting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is-a-perfect-way-to-stay/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/pema-ch-dr-n-327_accepting_just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is_2441691.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/pema-ch-dr-n-327_accepting_just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is_2441691.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/pema-ch-dr-n-327_accepting_just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is_2441691.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Just pausing for two to three breaths is a perfect way to stay present. This is a good use of our life…” — Pema Chodron", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Pema Chodron", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Just pausing for two to three...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is-a-perfect-way-to-stay/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/just-pausing-for-two-to-three-breaths-is-a-perfect-way-to-stay/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```