The Power of Relaxing
It really is the simple things that matter. Take relaxing, for example...
Let's try a simple exercise - Make a fist, a tight fist. Hold it. Now, relax it. Repeat, but hold the fist for longer, then relax. This acts as a very simple analogy for our daily cognitive/emotional lives. We tense with effort and purpose, to accomplish a certain task. Then, once that task has concluded, we relax and let that temporarily built-up tension release.
Over and over, we tighten-up to engage some challenge or obstacle, then loosen-up when the task has ended. Tense, then release, and repeat.
There is a simple brilliance to this. It works well. The martial arts, at the higher levels, emulate this. A Tai chi master in combat is the embodiment of fluidity and softness, being thoroughly relaxed, until he strikes. At that moment, it is as if lightening strikes. From out of nowhere, a power manifests that overcomes all defenses of the opponent.
I, actually, have experienced a taste of this. In Tai chi sparring, I have felt as if I were chasing a ghost, unable to "find" my opponent to deliver any amount of force, much less an actual strike. And that was because he was completely relaxed. In response to all my movement and effort, he wouldn't resist, causing tension, but, instead, he would relax and flow. By doing this there was never enough hardness or tension in his body for me to engage in order to generate the "friction" of solid contact. (The fact that you have to be tense to some degree, you have to resist, in order to be punched is an interesting thing...)
Then, suddenly, there would be a flash in his body, followed immediately by an exploding flood of power that drove right through my defenses like hurricane winds through a card house. It was a beautiful, if scary thing...
The secret of his actions actually lays in the fluidity - the openness - followed by a single, well-timed, instant of power, of effect. We, to some degree, mimic this on a daily basis (the role of the Tai chi master, not his opponent... well, perhaps some days we play the same role I enjoyed in the above example ;)). We stay relatively relaxed until effort is required, then we engage.
Tai chi is a martial art of the highest caliber and it makes for an equally superior system of exercise to maximize health specifically because it emphasizes being completely relaxed, until it is time to strike, time to take action.
We tend to focus on the action/effort part, the doing, but this simple act of relaxing is profound, truly profound. It is, essentially, opening, or "dilating", the channels of the body. Once these channels are opened, blood and energy can circulate freely to fix and repair, strengthen and support, cleanse and purify, all the systems of the body. With the simple cognitive intent and direction of "Relax", the body automatically initiates the full gamut of healing actions.
Think of that fist you made. The power or strength of the fist comes from temporarily locking down the channels. By blocking them, you create a static force or strength that's better able to engage a target you wish to break through.
Then, by opening and relaxing the hand, you open the channels to allow the free flow to return. Try the exercise again, and pay close attention to the sensation of the tight and strong fist, versus the open, loose, relaxed hand.
There is a time and place for both. For the purposes of health and healing, I like to emphasize the openness, though. We seem to have the tensing part down. This comes instinctively. We automatically tighten up whenever we engage a challenge. No need for intentional thought.
The reverse isn't necessarily so, though. There is the same natural instinct to relax and let go, but this we often override. The challenge is over; the need for the fists, for effort has passed, but we worry or fear that it's not really gone, or that it's gonna come right back, so we retain some of that tension. And this is what is called "stress".
We walk around with some degree of tension that isn't actually necessary, preparatory effort with no target to act against. On some level, we are still actively ready to do battle, even though no threat is currently present.
Yet, and this is important, we'll actually report that we're "relaxed". We've psychologically adapted to this level of tension in our bodies and, now, consider a semi-active, partially tensed state, as being relaxed.
In a way, this explains all disease. The body's basic self-healing mechanisms are impeded by the partially blocked channels. In a way, it's that simple. We are designed to heal and repair, but innate design isn't given full reign.
If we could just relax, completely relax, in between those moments of needing a clenched fist, the body would automatically start fixing and repairing whatever needs tending. When we walk around as if still engaged in battle, or, at least, on the verge of becoming engaged, the body isn't in a place for healing, and so it won't, can't.
The power of relaxing is profound. In a way, it's very easy. It's, originally, instinctive. We are designed to be able to walk both sides of life, engaged and laid back. We are made this way so that we can both cope with the obstacles of life, as well as be completely healthy and happy.
So, just as in a good Tai chi class, always relax. Relax, relax, relax.
Don't worry about being prepared, tensing up, to take action. Yes, it serves a purpose, but, at this moment, is it required? Right now, do you need to fight? If not, let that reality sink all the way, deep into your bones.
Release every muscle. Relax every joint. Just let go, and the body's instincts will kick in, automatically, and start taking care of everything that needs to be taken care of. That's what it is designed to do; no effort required. Just relax...
I know - Easier said, then done, right?! But, hey, practice makes perfect, so practice everyday; every moment you think about it, relax...
Top of Page
