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The physiological mechanism behind this feeling is the drastic reduction of the current flowing in the connecting motor nerves. While the muscles were being coaxed to relax, by auto-suggestion, less and less current flew in the connecting motor nerves. Ultimately, the whole motor mechanism became passive and reposed. This was followed by their counterparts, the sensory nerves which are responsible for transmitting sensation to the brain. Thus, while conscious self was quite wakeful and alert, the body-physical self-was gradually becoming bereft of consciousness, giving a realistic experience of the detachment of the nonmaterial consciousness from its material counterpart. Total relaxation is characterized by an actual experience of floating outside one's body, and this definitely is not autosuggestion or hypnosis but realisation of a real fact.
Reverting to the physiological shell, almost all the nerve cells are revitalized. They are enjoying a much needed recess period, free from the burden of controlling the household chores of movements and transmission of sesnsations to the brain. No wonder, then, that a short period of relaxation can invigorate more efficiently than a long period of restless sleep. And this brings up a question of relationship between relaxation and sleep. It must be quite clear from the above that going to sleep while practising relaxation is quite contrary to the purpose of the exercise. Relaxation may, however, be practised before going to sleep ending in peaceful slumber.
Jain Education International
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