Preksha Dhyana Self Awareness by Relaxation

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 20

ing restorative processes and called it ‘trophotropic response'. Dr. Herbert Bension, M.D., has termed this reaction as ‘relaxation response'.
It is possible to train ourselves to activise, by autosuggestion, the protective mechanism and to influence our reaction to stress. The increased secretion and output of adrenaline can be normalised and the sympathetic dominance counterbalanced by increased parasympathetic activity. Then the muscles relax and the abdominal wall loses its tightness. Regular practice of total relaxation is a potent remedy for the dangerous diseases of the modern times.
What is Relaxation?
Practice of relaxation is the direct and harmless way of relaxing tension. One cannot hope to enjoy peace, health or happiness so long as one is under the insidious influence of tension, inspite of possessing amenities and luxuries of life. Anybody who, after learning the technique, practises systematic relaxation everyday for 30 to 45 minutes, would not only remain relaxed and unperturbed in any situation, but greatly enhance the efficiency and quality of his work.
For proper appraisal of relaxation, we must know the muscular functions. Muscles contract with lightning speed when stimuli are applied to the connecting nerve. Skeletal muscles allow us action of movement at will. To understand the action of movement, the muscle may be compared to an electro-magnet and the nerve which stimulates it to action to an electric wire which connects it to the brain.
During sleep, very little current circulates in the nerves, and the muscles are almost demagetised. Most of the muscles are relaxed and limp except those which are necessary for reasons of security and survival. When one is resting, a weak current flows through the nerve, barely magnetizing the muscles which are in a quiescent state. Whenever one moves or is engaged in some physical activity, the current increases in response to the order from the brain, activating the electro