Between the Heartbeats

Sit upright with one hand on the centre of the chest. Take a few quiet minutes to find the slow steady rhythm of your own heartbeat under the palm. The mind usually counts only the beats, the strong moments. Today, listen for what is between the beats. Each pulse is followed by a brief, exact silence before the next one comes. Place your attention right inside that silence. The heart is busy keeping you alive. The pause between its beats is keeping the heart itself company, and quietly keeping the rest of you company too.