MIND RELAXATION
The eye conditions are constantly changing such
that they can be adversely affected by any emotional or mental stress,
resulting in eyestrain that can cause vision blur. By the same token,
you can significantly improve your vision if you relax your eyes completely
through relaxation
Using a Relaxed Mind to Relax the Body
It is almost impossible to relax just your eyes,
while the rest of your body remains tense and stressed. Total relaxation begins
with the mind first, and then the rest of the body, including the eyes.
Use your mind to relax your body, and then your eyes. The best way to achieve
mental relaxation is by meditation.
Meditation to relax the mind
Meditation is a proven mind-body therapy for
body-mind relaxation.
The healing power of meditation lies in its
capability to focus the mind solely on the very present moment, thereby
removing memories of the past and worries of the future. Meditation helps you
focus your mind on the present moment to the exclusion of past and future
thoughts. The mind in its natural and perfect stillness relaxes completely.
In contemporary living, your mind is often riddled
with thoughts of what you just did, what you will do, or should have done.
Nearly all your thoughts, including your desires and fears, are based on either
the past or the future. Your desires are no more than recollections of the past
pleasures and hopes of repeating them in the future. Fears are also memories of
past pain, and your efforts to avoid the pain in the future. All these rambling
thoughts in your subconscious mind indirectly affect your conscious mind, and
hence your body and your eyes.
In the present, your mind is always preoccupied
with the past or the future, leaving little or no room for the present moment,
which, ironically enough, is the only reality. The past was gone, and
the future is unknown; only the present is “real.” The present is a gift, and
that is why it is called “present.” But, unfortunately, most of us do not live
in the present, not to mention appreciate it, because the present is interlaced
with the past and the future. Meditation is about re-focusing on the present
moment.
The mental focus of meditation is not
quite the same as the mental concentration, such as solving a difficult math
problem or while performing a complex mental task. Meditation is focusing on
something seemingly insignificant (such as your breathing) or spontaneous
(such as eating and even driving) such that your mind can be conditioned to focusing
on only the present moment. In this way, your mind concentration excludes all
past and future thoughts, thereby instrumental in giving your mind a meaningful
break. It is in this sublime mental state that you are capable of understanding
the true nature of things, and their relativity to the meaning of life and
existence. Meditation awakens you to what is real or what is quasi real.
Points to remember when you meditate:
·
Focus on an object as
your focal point of concentration: your own breathing; looking at a candle
flame; listening to a sound (such as the sound of running water from a
fountain); watching your footsteps when you are walking, or just about anything that
can easily draw you back to your meditation.
·
Palming is an
excellent exercise not just for vision improvement, but also for deep
meditation.
·
During your
meditation, if your mind wanders away (which is quite common), gently direct
your mind to re-focus on the same object of your concentration. Learn how
to focus through your act of noticing that your mind has
wandered off, as well as through your repetitive efforts. Meditation is all
about focusing on the present moment. Make focusing a habit of relaxation for
your eyes
·
Keep yourself
in full consciousness: you must be fully aware of what is going on
around you. That explains why in meditation (except in the walking meditation)
you need to sit erect in order to keep your body in full consciousness. Do not
lie down (or else you may fall asleep); do not slouch (this may not help you
focus).
A
full lotus position is not required. However, it is important
that you maintain a consistent position or posture with your thumb
tip and forefinger tip of each hand touching very lightly, while the other
fingers are either curled or extended out. A consistent posture and hand
position will promote a meditative mind to practice your
meditation techniques.
Breathing
right to relax and to meditate
Breathing is important in meditation because it is
the focal point of the mind. In addition, breathing out is associated with
“letting go” and “body detoxification”—essential components to relax the body
and the mind.
In meditation, focus on your natural breath as it
flows in and out. Notice how you inhale and exhale. You will begin to feel
yourself becoming relaxed and soothed.
Diaphragm breathing
Diaphragm breathing is the complete breath. Consciously change your breathing pattern. Use your
diaphragm to breathe (the diaphragm muscle separating your chest from your
abdomen). If you place one hand on your breastbone, feeling that it is raised,
with the other hand above your waist, feeling the diaphragm muscle moving up
and down, then you are practicing diaphragm breathing correctly. Deep breathing
with your diaphragm gives you complete breath.
This is how you do diaphragm
breathing:
·
Sit comfortably.
·
Begin your slow
exhalation through your nose.
·
Contract your
abdomen to empty your lungs.
·
Begin your slow
inhalation and simultaneously make your belly bulge out.
·
Continuing your slow
inhalation, now, slightly contract your abdomen and simultaneously lift your
chest and hold.
·
Continue your slow
inhalation, and slowly raise your shoulders. This allows the air to enter fully
your lungs to attain the complete breath.
·
Retain your breath
with your shoulders slightly raised for a count of 5.
·
Very slowly exhale
the air.
·
Repeat the
process.
Stephen Lau
Copyright©2018 by Stephen Lau
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