Pause- From Reaction to Reflection

Viktor Frankl said:

 “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

In Logotherapy, the concept of Pause plays a crucial role in helping us connect with our noetic (spiritual) dimension, which is the uniquely human realm of freedom, responsibility, conscience, values, creativity, and self-transcendence.  

The Pause is a gateway to the noetic dimension. It enables us to.

1)Exercise our freedom

2)Tune into our conscience

3) Choose meaning over impulse

4) Act from spirit rather than ego

A Pause is a moment of conscious interruption  a deliberate stepping back from automatic reactions, emotional impulses, or external pressures. It creates inner space to reflect and choose a meaningful response instead of merely reacting out of habit or fear.

This space is the Pause  a moment of clarity where the noetic dimension can be accessed.

The Noetic Dimension: Our Spiritual Core  refers to the human spirit  the part of us that remains unbroken, even in suffering. It includes:

1)Conscience (our inner guide to meaning and values)

2)Freedom of Will (the ability to choose our attitude)

3)Will to Meaning (our drive to find purpose)

4) Self-Transcendence (the ability to go beyond self for something greater)

 How Pause Helps Us Connect with the Noetic Dimension

1. Activates Inner Freedom

In a Pause, we stop reacting and start choosing  this is where our freedom of will comes alive.

2. Opens the Door to Conscience - A Pause helps us hear the quiet, intuitive voice of conscience, which points us to what is right and meaningful, not just what is convenient.

3. Strengthens Responsibility

When we Pause, we can ask: “What does life ask of me in this moment?”  invoking our responsibility rather than blaming or avoiding.

4. Allows for Self-Transcendence - In the space of a Pause, we can shift focus from “What do I want?” to “What is needed from me?”  transcending ego and aligning with a greater purpose.

5. Facilitates Meaning Discovery - A Pause can help us look beyond the surface of situations and discover the hidden meaning even in hardship.

Example

Let’s say someone receives criticism at work and feels hurt and angry.

Without a Pause: They might lash out, shut down, or ruminate.

With a Pause: They take a breath, step back, and reflect:

 Reflective Questions to Use the Pause

1)What is life asking of me right now?

2)What value do I want to live out in this situation?

3)What does my conscience whisper beneath the noise?

4)What would a meaningful response look like here?

It is in the Pause that we find our true humanity.

Margalit