Relax into Yourself

If you are overstimulated, you may find it beneficial to do something physical before you begin, in order to use up any frenetic energy or any energy produced by emotional upset — walk around, jump up and down, play with your dog. Synthetic energy keeps the mind agitated; using it up will settle it down. Calming the mind calms the body; calming the body calms the mind.

Find a place that is free of stimulus, i.e., general busyness, traffic, loud music or other loud sounds, people trying to get your attention, etc. Sit under a tree, lock yourself in a restroom stall, or find an uninhabited corner somewhere. Get comfortable and follow these three steps:

Step 1 

Find something, do something, or think of something, that makes you smile. Enjoy it.

Step 2 

When you feel like it, take a big, deep breath through your nose an fill up your lungs completely and hold it for just a few seconds. Then release your breath completely, without any restraint, through your mouth, like a great big sigh of relief. (You may make a sound of your own when you do this.) Empty your lungs completely. Repeat this a few times, as many times as you want.  Enjoy it.

Step 3 

Relax into yourself: let your attention go to anything anywhere inside yourself. Enjoy yourself.  

If you should have difficulty doing the third step, try this first: (1) Put your attention on something outside of yourself that is in your environment, something you can see, hear, smell, or touch, and hold your attention on it for a few moments. (2) Now relax into yourself and don't worry about whether you're doing it right or not. Repeat these two steps as many time as you want until you get the hang of it. 

When you are relaxed into yourself, if something inside yourself, such as an agitating thought, should disturb your relaxed state, simply repeat the three steps above.

Once you have done these three steps, you will probably be able to do them successfully most anywhere, anytime, and enjoy complete relaxation. Do it whenever it is convenient, and your ability to relax whenever you want will continue to grow. 

Enjoy Your Self,

Durga Ma

About Step 1: I have it on good authority that smiling produces harmones that promote better health and reduce aging. 

About Step 2: This simple breathing technique has health benefits as well, and is especially helpful in clearing the lungs, purifying the blood and calming the nervous system. This is an energizing breath that produces strength, calm and a sure-footed sense of balance and self-confidence. 

About Step 3: When the attention leaves the body, the life energy in the body flows with it. When the attention is internalized, the life energy in the body stays in the body. This energy is known by many names, but it's function is to sustain, maintain and heal the body.