Have you ever experienced a moment in which there was nothing to change, nothing to worry about? As I prepared my goals for the 2019 year, three themes stood out to me as the most important. The cultivation of ease was at the top of that list. Ironically, as January goes on and I am given moments of complete rest and ease, my ego searches to find issues or faults that need rectifying.
As frustrating as it is, this phenomenon is not at all uncommon. Research has shown the effects of habitual stress on the brain and body. Chronic stress affects the nervous system which is responsible for the “flight or fight” response. When a person is stressed, the body shifts is energy toward running from an enemy or fighting a threat. Usually, when the threat is gone the body returns to an unstressed state. However, if a person is afflicted with chronic stress their body will constantly be in “flight or flight” mode.
In particular, chronic stress causes the muscles in the body to be in a constant state of guardedness. When a person has endured chronic stress, the brain signals to the endocrine system to increase the levels of cortisol- which is responsible for giving us energy fuel. With this being understood, it is clear to see how chronic stress has a long-term effect on the body. Because of a constant overproduction of cortisol, when you experience a moment of ease and stillness, your brain and body is still gearing up for the next attack- even if there isn’t any! Don’t fret too much however, this phenomenon is completely fixable.
After recognizing why I was unable to relax, then came the solution. As supported by research, meditation is effective in calming down the nervous system and decreasing stress. In moments where one is overthinking, worrying and experiencing stress, carving out 15-20 minutes for meditation is pivotal in the way that it fosters space for relaxation. Ease is less about not having any stressful moments but accepting stress, acknowledging that there is nothing to fear/fight, breathing slowly/relaxing muscles and then surrendering into that moment.
To experience ease is simply to surrender. In order to encourage relaxation, one has to practice surrendering all thoughts, beliefs, and emotions- no matter how intrusive they may be. We are all beautifully flawed humans and its time we’ve allowed ourselves to be. When we sink into this state of allowing, surrendering, then we have truly mastered the art of cultivating ease.
And it’s through this allowing when wonderful things begin to happen.
Genuinely Jannah 