“Pause Breathe Grateful” by Amarnath Sankar: 100 meditative reflections on gratitude, mindfulness, and meaning for a mindful Diwali.
Pause Breathe Grateful
If gratitude were a genre, Amarnath Sankar’s Pause Breathe Grateful would be its magnum opus. This isn’t just a book - it’s a meditative mosaic of memory, mindfulness, and meaning. With 100 curated perspectives and self reflection prompts, Amarnath invites readers to slow down, reflect, and rediscover the extraordinary in the everyday.
The timing of this book’s message couldn’t be more poetic. On the eve of Diwali - a festival that celebrates the return of Lord Rama and the triumph of virtue - Pause Breathe Grateful offers a contemporary echo of that ancient ethos. Just as Rama’s journey was marked by trials, loyalty, and grace, Amarnath’s own path from modest beginnings to becoming the founder CEO of CAT Productions ® is a testament to perseverance and purpose. As a former executive MBA student at IIM Kozhikode, he didn’t just master business communication - he embodied the art of thoughtful leadership.
What makes this book remarkable is its refusal to be self-congratulatory. Instead, it’s a tribute to those who helped him rise: mentors, family, friends, fleeting moments of kindness, and even the quiet lessons tucked inside adversity. Each page feels like a thank-you note written with poetic restraint and emotional clarity. The narratives are not grandiose - they’re grounded. They whisper rather than shout, and in doing so, they resonate more deeply.
The structure of the book is deceptively simple: a quote, a story, a pause, and a wish. But this rhythm creates a powerful cadence for introspection. It’s a literary breathing exercise - inhale wisdom, exhale gratitude. The butterfly on the cover isn’t just decorative; it’s symbolic of transformation, fragility, and flight. Much like Amarnath’s journey, it reminds us that beauty often emerges from struggle.
Beyond its aesthetic and emotional appeal, Pause Breathe Grateful also serves as a gentle intervention in our mental health landscape. In a world increasingly defined by burnout, anxiety, and digital overload, the practice of gratitude offers a scientifically backed antidote. Studies in positive psychology have shown that expressing gratitude can lower cortisol levels and reduce stress, improve sleep and emotional regulation, enhance empathy and social connection, foster resilience and long-term well-being.
Amarnath doesn’t preach this - he practices it. His book is not a self-help manual; it’s a self-honor manifesto. It encourages readers to reclaim their narrative, to find grace in the grind, and to remember that even the smallest act of appreciation can ripple outward in profound ways. In essence, Pause Breathe Grateful is a Diwali diya in book form- radiating warmth, illuminating reflection, and celebrating the light within. It’s a gift to anyone seeking to reconnect with their purpose, their people, and their peace.
So pause. Breathe. Be grateful. And let Amarnath’s words guide you toward a more mindful tomorrow.
To grab a copy of this book check this link on Amazon : amzn.in/d/gChjZ9G
Dr.Anupam Das
Associate Professor (Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode - Humanities & Liberal Arts in Management)
Ph.D. in Linguistics, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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