The Art of Ease
Ease is a natural part of living. It is the ever present
orchestrated flow of life. Ease
nourishes and supports our activities and dreams. In spite of this gentle kiss of life, we live
with hardships and burdens. We tend to live by the four "R"s - suffering,
struggle, stress and strain. How can we
live in such turmoil when ease is our constant companion? She quietly whispers in every moment, "Let go."
We live in struggle because we have been conditioned to see
through the eyes of hardship and to feed on the chemical thrill of struggle. We
live the lives of Hardaholics. Often people say they don't suffer or struggle
but if we suffer over others plights (second hand suffering - like everything
that goes wrong with our child's life), dread work, or feel an oppressive burden
in our relationship with time, we are suffering. Even though all suffering is not ego driven, a
large part of the suffering in the west is held together by three ego driven concepts.
1.
Life is hard.
2.
You must suffer about it
3.
It will never change.
Living in ease requires a decision and the commitment to live by that decision. It is the decision
to let go of the mental dynamic that creates endless conundrums, problems, challenges
and drama.
The mind takes the concept of ease and comes up with a
complicated story of how ease is not applicable to life. The thoughts go like
this: "Ease is boring." "I am not doing this right." "It's too hard to have it
easy." "You don't understand my
situation; this really hurts, this is a big problem." The mind wants to have
its way and it loves its problems.
There is good news. EZosophy can save you from problems that
don't exist! When ease becomes the foundation of our minds rather than just a
concept, something radical emerges. There is a shift in life; the struggle-filled
life, concocted by the mind, dissolves. Do
it now. Make this commitment to an easy or at least easier living. This is not a way to deny what happens. This
idea won't keep us from delays or so called inconsistencies, but it will keep us
safe from mental abuse in the face of life's unexpected meanderings.
The Embodiment of Ease
Our bodies need relaxation.
Meditation is a great relaxer, but it isn't a complete answer. Exercise is
a part of the solution, but it is not the whole answer. We face stressors all
day long. Physical stress creates mental stiffness. Tightness restricts the blood flow, the
exchange of gases and the vital flow of prana (life force).
Relaxation is an art to be practiced throughout the day, not
only during one or two prescribed times. An effective relaxation practice
includes stretching, massage, conscious breathing, good posture, exercise and
finally a good night's rest.
The following include a list of possibilities for instant
easy stress relieving activities and energizers. Practice physical EZosophy throughout the day. Try one activity each
hour.
- Massage each hand for 10 seconds.
- Extend and contract your feet three times.
- Raise your shoulders up to your ears, tense them and then
release (3 times).
- Gently rotate your head in one direction (2 times) repeat on
the other side.
- Pinch the large muscle on the top of each shoulder or pound
with your fists.
- Do a silent (or out loud if alone) "wow" really stretching your
mouth 10 times. Really wakes up the face and relieves tension.
- Massage your jaws with your knuckles.
- Gently twist to the left, twist to the right (3 times)
- Take three long inhales and exhales. Breathe in to the count of three and out to
the count of 5. We tend to take deeper inhales than exhales so this exercise
helps balance us. Over exhalation, practiced over long periods of time, causes
our cell walls to stiffen.
- In addition blink your eyes every 5 minutes (combats eye
strain).
If we are easy on our bodies, or bodies are easy on us. Go
on try one now ad remember to take it easy.
