Relaxation Response: The Unlimited Power Of Your Mind . . .
Last night I decided to stay up to read a book I had picked up at the local drug store some time ago but never took the time to read called the “Relaxation Response”.
The author, M.D. Herbert Benson, is a Harvard trained medical doctor who has devoted his life to the study of the power of relaxation on both the mind and the body.
He shared an example of this “mind power” by relating what he had observed spending several months studying the Tibetan monks.
He witnessed first hand how these monks spent days on end at sub zero temperatures, at extreme elevations, with little more than what we would consider underwear.
Where we would surely freeze, these monks dealt with the temperature and elevation purely with the power of their mind. The operated in these extremes as if they didn’t exist.
The author described a two part process the monks used to do this . . .
First they meditated until their minds were clear of any obtrusive thoughts.
Second they envisioned a great burning internal furnace keeping them warm.
With these two simple steps the monks were able to do what would surely kill anyone else. All through the power of their minds.
The author shared that the simplest way for a regular person like you or I to “test” these same techniques was to simply choose a simple phrase. (Click here for a simple step by step overview of the basic process.)
Sit in a quiet place. Breath in deeply, and on the exhale repeat that phrase for 10 to 20 minutes. As he described the process . . .
I thought back to being a small child, probably in the first grade, to an experience I hadn’t thought about in years.
Back then, I had a teacher who practiced Yoga and made us practice daily along with her in class.
We had a chant that I recalled as if we had just meditated yesterday . . .
“Om Nah Mo Guru Dev Nah Mo”
Now for the life of me, I don’t remember what it meant, but I thought it a good phrase to use to test out the “Relaxation Response” technique myself.
I sat quietly for about 30 minutes and did as described and what I noticed was my mind tended to think back, as if by instinct, to all the “things” I needed to do or problems I still had to deal with.
I challenged myself to not stop this “chanting” until those thoughts went away.
Maybe it took me 30 minutes or so.
When I opened my eyes I was relaxed, time seemed to move slower. I felt as I had a more focused mind than I’d had in a long time.
Instantly, I thought to what might happen if I paired this up with what the monks described. Clearing the mind and then envisioning something I want to achieve. I don’t have any results for you yet, but . . .
I share this with you because I know you, like me, have a lot on your mind.
Daily tasks, pressures, and more to do than you probably have time for.
When it comes to your business you may even have a few recurring fears you’re not even consciously aware of that are holding you back.
And well . . .
If the monks can use the power of a focused mind to survive sub zero temperatures at high altitude, then just maybe . . .
Taking a few minutes each day to clear your mind might help you relax, get rid of those little things that hold you back, and allow you to refocus your energy and imagination.
Again, if they can use their minds to do the seemingly impossible maybe, just maybe, you can use yours to create the life you want.
Take 30 minutes today to give this little process a try. Then, let me know what you think below . . .
To the top,
Daegan
“The King Of Never Calling A Single Lead”
P.S. If you’re the scientific type here’s more background research data on the effects of illiciting the “Relaxation Response”.
All of this sounds good but how does it put money in my pockets as i have been listening for two;three years and i have yet to make a penny i have losta lot of money but never made money. I am very leary as i havealso been taken and i cant affordthati am on social security and like most people my age some of us cant work outside of the home we are kind of home bound not on home health just medications. so now i almost always as prove it to me before i put out my money hard as it is to control i get excited and happy only to be let down with a thud. So please understand why i am this way. thank you so much Sharron Gorju 251-929-0446 Sharrays1@yahoo.com
We all have negative thoughts but when it gets stuck we need not let it stay, but we have to do something to unlock the recurring thoughts. I have several methods but one worked so wonderful last week I want to share it. I take flower drops from Ireland that helps to diffuse anger. I got to a holding anger after I sold a machine that alkaline's your body. The sale went quickly and the machine was paid for. This was in Hong Kong and the person who was going to pick it up came from another country. I spent a couple of weeks waiting on her fax which did not come. I talked to her at the hotel and she had plans to pick up the machine but did not. I paid the postage as not to put more stress on the lady that purchased. It was inconsiderate of the friend and I held on to it. Finally Sat. evening I took the flower drops and I closed my eyes and thought of all the things I had to be grateful for. I did sell the machine, the lady was postive that bought, my family was healthy, There are so many wonderful surprises for me. 20 minutes into this I saw a bright yellow daisy and in a flash my brain switched from anger to acceptance and excitment . I have never had that fast of a switch. Keep your articles coming they make a better quality of life . Sandra Jones
These are the exact type of that's that recur over and over in your mind that hold us all back at time. What today's technique is about it quieting those as Sandra below says.
Thank you for your Grettings Document by post.
Wishing you much happiness and prosperity.
yesterday I call by phone.
I like sow much Work at home and I m join every time.
Thanks a lot for your help.
One teacher I would definitely recommend whose teachings relate very much to this article is Leonard Jacobson (www.leonardjacobson.com). He teaches all about living in a state of presence, where you are in touch with the dimension of yourself that is beyond the limitations of the thinking mind. You are able to create a space between you and your thoughts and realize that the story those thoughts are telling you is not who you really are. In presence there is no past and future, and therefore no memories, stories, or excuses that hold you back. I have been working on opening more an more into this dimension for some time now, and as a result, I feel much less like a victim to my past experiences or current circumstances. I am more at peace with who I am and willing to take steps to start creating the life I really want. Thanks Daegan for this article!
Thanks Daegan, I used it when I was younger and had forgotten about doing that. It is just the kind of reminder I needed. It does work, just give it time.
Yeah I just talked to Jon Budd (a friend) about all this crazy meditation stuff and he said he made a habit of taking 20 to 30 minutes twice a day to clear his mind through meditation because he read somewhere that if you do it for 3 months straight you'll be be happier person. Eight months and counting for him, and I gotta say he's had some amazing results.