We’ve discussed, ok, well, I’ve done most of the talking, about things that we can’t control versus things that we can control. I’ve brought up inner peace leading to outer peace, and last week we did a short breathing meditation. By the way, how was that for you? Are you noticing an inner oasis of peace in the mishegas that is the world these days? Today, I am thinking about another way to deal with all this. Ready? Relax. How easy is that?
What does relax mean to you? Really relaxing. Taking a little time off? Getting involved in an activity you’re passionate about? I used to think that relaxing is going somewhere, which is really not relaxing at all, considering the travel, the arrangements, and depending on where you go, there’s some sightseeing. I’m sure you’re familiar with the concept of needing a vacation from your vacation.
Another way I used to think was relaxing is to stop. That generally happened when there was no energy left. “I think I’m just going to relax for a minute” That’s that ‘fall asleep in front of the TV kind of relaxing. This is ‘doing’ relaxing. I’m talking about being relaxed.
Nature shows us a couple of great examples of relaxation. A tree that bends -one that is in a perpetual state of relaxation- is one that weathers the storm. The ones that don’t bend, break.
Ice is water in a non-relaxed form. You can break ice. But you can’t break water.
They are now incorporating flexibility into the foundation of buildings. Making them less rigid. Earthquake-proof. The foundation is relaxed so that when the earth moves, meaning when there is stress, there is no -or at least much less- damage to the buildings.
Peacefulness and relaxing seem a lot alike, but there’s a subtle difference; peacefulness is about being free from external unwholesome events, as in not letting what we can’t control control us. And, relaxation is about being free from self-created unwholesome events, which are created by our reactions, thoughts, emotions, etc. Self-Created. This we can control.
There are many things in our lives that are important, of course. When we accept what is, we allow it to just be. Then, like the river, it flows by. And if it needs attention, we deal with it in a relaxed manner and respond, not react.
We’ve all seen pictures of the palm trees bent over in the hurricane. Use that vision as an example of extreme flexibility, and whatever hurricane comes your way. Let it be. It passes quickly. Be the palm tree.
Relax!
Just sayin’