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%RELAX QUIET REST PRAY MEDITATE STRESS STRAIN TENSE 910410

     Much  of  our time is spent under stress in  strained
and tense  states  of  mind and body.  We do not  function
at  maximum   efficiency   or  with  the  highest    level
of  creativity,    when we are experiencing great  stress,
strain and  tension.  We do well to find the ways in which
we  can  avoid  internalization of  stress,    strain  and
tension;  for such  internalization is not helpful.  We do
well to leave the stress,   strain and tension outside our
minds,  bodies and  souls.  We often need to take time out
of  the  rush  of our daily lives,  to  find  ways  within
ourselves  to minimize the  internalization   of   stress,
strain   and   tension.  Unfortunately  our language  does
not  have  a  good  word  for  the   process  of  reducing
internalized stress,  strain  and tension.

     The words "relaxation", "quiet",  and "rest"  suggest
rather   passive   activities   which   do    not    imply
reduction    of internalized stress,  strain and  tension;
such   words   do   not   clearly     suggest     conflict
resolution   or    conflict elimination.

     The  word  "prayer"   often suggests a  technology by
which  to  try   to manipulate a superior power to do  our
will.     Less  often   the  word "prayer"   suggests  our
seeking to  be  in harmony  with  a  superior  power.   In
either   case   the  suggestion  involves the presence  of
conflict without much suggestion of conflict resolution.

     Perhaps  we need  to associate new meanings with  the
word  "prayer".     Profound  prayer is the   process   of
conflict  resolution  within  our  own   minds,     bodies
and  souls.  Profound  prayer  is the process of  reducing
internalized stress,  strain and tension.  Profound prayer
is  more  than  relaxation  and   rest,     but   profound
prayer  leads   to relaxation and rest.   Profound  prayer
is not an additional form of participating in conflict and
manipulation;    it  is a  way to transcend  conflict  and
manipulation.    Yet it  is difficult  to  get  people  to
understand   a   word    which   has   already    specific
connotations,    as  a word pointing to new  possibilities
and  realities  which  transcend  the   old  connotations.
For  people to participate in new  ways  of being,    they
need courage which shakes the foundations  of  traditional
living.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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