"Relax," the teacher says.
Relaxation is 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)
*excerpt from Strike a Chord of Silence
Strike a Chord of Silence is CG's new book of metaphysical maxims and essays. Also available in Kindle
"...Manifested on daylight, or on silence of the night...."
Thank you
Humanityhealing for this video:
Autographed/signed copies of CG's "Highly Recommended" (Midwest Book Review) Sacred Vow are available from the author– or purchase as ebook or from Amazon as Kindle version or printed copy. For International sales, please see
CG Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives.
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