The Relaxation Response of the Mystics

One of the ways that guided meditation can assist you in the alleviation of stress is by helping your body reach a profound state of muscular relaxation.

One thing I learned in my own life, as I began to practice meditation regularly, was that I could reach a deeper and deeper level of relaxation and inner peace more and more quickly each time I did it. As I learned how to totally relax key muscle groups in my body, a kind of muscle memory was established-- similar to the one that helped get through the triathlon swim this summer (see previous post "Life Mastery and Swimming Pools").

In addition, my awareness of the levels of muscle tension going on within me developed, as I became more quickly aware of subtle changes in the degree of muscle tension within my body. I was eventually able to bring these newfound relaxation techniques into other areas of my life, particularly during times of stress.

Through practice, you too will be able to eventually even block the stress reaction altogether. You will also learn how to control your breathing, and to completely prevent hyperventilation. When a person breathes too rapidly, an excess amount of carbon dioxide is exhaled, and oxygen consumption is increased. This process leads to feelings of light-headedness, faintness, and anxiety. Most panic attacks are accompanied and exacerbated by hyperventilation. These attacks can be aborted by relaxing skeletal muscles, ending the hyperventilating.

When you learn how to control your breathing and your musculature, you can find that place of deep peace and security that is always within. When you reach this level of inner peace, you can completely cease the production of any stress chemicals or hormones. You have mastered your body and your mind. You are in control. At this level, nobody and no thing can rob you of your inner peace and joy.

When mystics master this state, they describe how they are freed from fear, stress, desire, and the control of others. They can be in jail or prison, yet they are completely free.

We are all mystics. We can all be free. We just have to remember how.