Relax, The Teacher Says...

Relax the teacher says. Relaxation is the prerequisite to health, joy, wisdom and so much more. Relax. It sounds so easy, yet based on how seldom we achieve it, relaxation must be one of the most complicated pursuits that we can undertake. I suspect part of the problem is in the language we use. “Relax.” The word is a verb. Verbs are action. Used in such a way, the single word, Relax, is a direction a command to perform the action of no action, of release—of tranquility. Yet, performing or doing is contrary to the intention of the directive. Relaxation is a state of being, like peace. What one needs to achieve this relaxation is not another activity or action but the Taoist Wu Wei, “non-doing”… release what you are (or have been) doing. An excellent explanation of Wu Wei comes from Alan Watts: “...Wu-Wei, meaning not to force, refers to what we understand of one’s acting accordingly to the nature, of one’s moving in order to avoid a stroke, of one’s swimming downstream sailing before the wind, rolling like the waves or one’s bending in order to win.” (This comes from Watts' “Tao: the Watercourse Way”). Another excellent expression of this Taoist perspective comes from the Tao Te Ching - verse 48 In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped. Less and less is done Until non-action is achieved. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone. The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering. This translation comes from Gia-fu Feng and Jane English Blessings and peace to you, my friends, as you relax into the waves of life. Namast�