Relax

“Relax,” the teacher says.

Relaxation, the prerequisite to health, joy, wisdom and so much more.

Relax. It sounds so easy, yet based on how seldom we achieve it, relaxation must be one of the most complicated pursuits that we can undertake. I suspect part of the problem is in the language we use.

“Relax.” The word is a verb. Verbs are action. Used in such a way, the single word is direction–a command to perform the action of no action, of release—of relaxing. Yet, performing/doing is contrary to the intention of relaxation.

Relaxation is a state of being, like peace. What one needs to achieve this relaxation is not another activity or action but the Taoist Wu Wei, “non-doing”… cease to do what you are (or have been) doing … release.


An excellent explanation of Wu wei comes from Alan Watts:

...wu-wei, meaning not to force, refers to what we understand of one's acting accordingly to the nature, of one's moving in order to avoid a stroke, of one's swimming downstream, sailing before the wind, rolling like the waves or one's bending in order to win. (From Alan Watts - "Tao: the Watercourse Way").

Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu - chapter 48

In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.
In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less is done.
Until non-action is achieved.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

The world is ruled by letting things take their course.
It cannot be ruled by interfering.

(translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English)

Copyright 2008 CG Walters

This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.

C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him…Highly recommended. —Midwest Book Review.

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