The leisureliness of the mystic is a thing to envy, and even imitate. He does not hurry through the streets as though a devil were pursuing him; he does not swallow his tea in a single gulp and then rush off to some appointment; he does not pull out his watch with nervous, restless hands every half hour or so. Such physical relaxation is itself an approach to spiritual peace; that peace which our world has all but lost and is now desperately searching for through ways and means that will never lead to it.
By becoming mindful of the rise and fall of breath, by transferring consciousness to the respiratory function alone, thought becomes unified, concentrated, rested in a natural easy manner.
The breath should be brought in with measured attention, slow spiritual aspiration as the background, until a pleasant high-quality calm is felt.
Most of us do not know enough of the effective powers, the practical contributions, and the psychological functions of tranquility. Hence we do not give it a proper value, and do not usually try to cultivate it systematically, as it is well worth cultivating.
There is a correspondence between the state of the mind and the speed of one’s walk.
A slow, measured, deliberate manner of breath and movement, accompanied by attentive, detached observation of the thoughts and the steps, is a useful exercise.
Do not interrupt those wonderful moments, when all is still, by descending to trivial doings, or even necessary ones. Let them wait, let brain and body rest, let the world go, and give this fraction of time to the Timeless.
When relaxation is fully felt, physically, mentally, nervously, muscularly, and emotionally, then the ego is released and the practiceis momentarily free. But this will not happen if he is stubbornly negative, if there is no belief in the higher self and hence no wish to transcend the lesser one. Give faith, surrender, and get grace.
It is worthwhile giving all his attention to any feelings which he may meet unexpectedly within himself and which show an unusual relaxation, a release from tenseness, a freedom from care. They are to be caught on the wing, not allowed to escape and pass away. They are to be nurtured, cherished, and developed. They may be silent voices from the higher self drawing his attention to its own existence.
Let go of the thoughts which make so much turmoil in the head, so much stress in the nerves, and enjoy the calm of mental quiet. This is more easily said than done. So bring in help — from the body, from profound sayings and from the remembrance of God.
No More Fatigue
What happens during these relaxed moods? The focus of the conscious mind is withdrawn from the flesh and the vital centers, leaving the unconscious mind in sole sovereignty over them. What results from this? The destruction of the body’s tissue is repaired, the fatigue of its nervous and muscular systems is removed. The fuller the relaxation, and the soul activity within, the fuller the recuperation....
To be poised and relaxed is not to be petrified: it is activity in repose, ready for use whenever necessary. In that brief moment of relaxed tension, he comes closer to God.