Different and the same
Meditation and relaxation are two different activities. But here, I would like to explain their sameness. In other words, relaxing is meditating. The problem is misunderstanding relaxation and how to deeply relax. It is helpful to get away from the tension sometimes, but to go toward the tension and relax into the tension, that is another skill and art, necessary to learn. Learning to feel and look into the tension is where there is deep relaxation and deep meditation. There can be meaning in the struggle, not just something to avoid and get rid of.
How to
First, feel where there is tension in the body.
Second, breathe it in, deeply, accepting as much of the tension as possible.
Third, let it go, relax it, surrender it.
Fourth, repeat, by feeling the tension and breathing it in, then let go on the out breath. Even if it is the same tension, over and over, repeat over and over throughout the day.
Handling tension more gracefully
Meditation offers a way to include the tension and to suffer it, by just observing without judgement and staying with the breath to calm the spirit, so it is not running all over the place. The tension can subside from just this activity, a way to feel, tolerate and observe the tension more gracefully until there is a chance for reflection . Such as, why am I so tense? What is this about?
Meditation, relaxation, and then action
Sometimes, in the process of relaxation, we can realize something in our lives needs to change or there will not be relief. Meditation and relaxation is doing something about our lives that causes unnecessary struggle and tension. Some things cannot be meditated away, relaxed away, they literally have to be acted on. For example, if there is a something that needs to be taken care of meditation and relaxation can only help us to do it and do it well. Meditation and relaxation does not replace paying the bill or having a conversation with someone you have been avoiding.
Food and inebriants
Soothing the stress of daily life is a big part of relaxation. That is why food and inebriants are so loved, they are part of our heritage and culture, they make the soul come alive and people come together. But generally these medicines have been over used and gradually become poisonous from excess. The libation goes from medicine to poison. That which use to be refreshing and relaxing, gradually makes more tension.
Feeling satisfied from meditation and relaxation
Many people associate relaxation with feeling satisfied, satisfied in the heart, satisfied being in our own skin, satisfied with our self with all the vulnerabilities and distress. Meditation is awareness of the tension and relaxation is surrendering it. As we go toward the tension it can teach us what can be controlled and understood and what cannot. Much of the lesson is relax and learn. Relax in meditation, open and experience what is there. Meditation and relaxation become a way of life because it opens us up to a more spirited life that accepts the responsibilities and limitations of being human, being a parent, being a partner and friend.
