Preksha Dhyana Self Awareness by Relaxation

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

Page 43

IV
Technique of Relaxation
Relaxation-technique
you
Do sit quietly and at ease for ten or even five minutes or do you continually fidget, shift your legs, rub your neck and do a dozen other movements called 'nervous habits"? Every movement, no matter how slight, involves a nerve impulse and every nerve impulse brings on some muscular contraction. Thus there can be no mental relaxation without the physical and no physical relaxation without the mental.
Before we take up a discussion on actual technique of relaxation, let us be clear about what relaxation is not and what it is? Firstly it is not a change of occupation, a play or a pleasant hobby enabling you to indulge in likable occupation to get away from a tiring routine. Gardening, knitting, painting, reading etc. are called recreations. In a way they are steps in the right direction but they merely substitute one from of activity for another. Recreation cannot substitute true relaxation which is 'doing nothing' when mind does not tick and muscles do not work.
Tension is the main problem-it is a stumbling block in the way to achievement. Whether you are an average human being or champion in some field, regular relaxation will give you a better chance of success in life.
Technique of relaxation can certainly not be mastered in the first lesson. But if you are willing to learn and try, you will possibly master it one day. In fact the technique is quite easy to learn and not difficult to practise. Moreover, even if you are unable to master it for sometime, you will feel the benefits of your efforts and will make you more confident.
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