Man's problem is that the outside world rarely reinforces the pattern of most of his mental conditioning. The result is that the limbic system is continually creating mental and emotional stress responses. We remain unable to relax. Tension becomes a normal part of life. It is not the brain that is faulty; it is the narrow limitations of our mental program put into the brain that is the cause of the problem. The program is unsuitable for our environmental situation.
Our attitude towards life depends on our mind; an unsuitable, narrow, unrealistic, incompatible mental state leads to continual conflict with our surroundings and to unhappiness and stress as a consequence. An expansive, realistic mental program leads to harmonious interaction and good relationships with the environment and with other people, which must lead to happiness and relaxation. Our lives can either be an expression of joy or an expression of discontent; it depends on the content of the mind. Are we then completely at the mercy of our mind? Yes, we are, but at the same time we have the ability to throw out the contents of the mind that cause so much havoc in our lives. We can change our mental program or at least modify it by removing all the dross or unwanted parts. All that is required is the desire to reorientate our life along new pathways and to translate this desire into personal effort.
How to release mental tension:
The eventual method is by exploring the mind, facing the inner contents and clearing out the rubbish. But before we can do this effectively we need to bring a measure of relaxation into our lives to enable us to relax sufficiently in the first place to direct our awareness inwards. The method to bring about an initial degree of relaxation is by consciously trying to rewrite our existing program.
- • Make the effort to begin to accept other people fully.
- • Accept yourself. Know that your actions are the result of your mental makeup.
- • Watch your habituated reactions to people around you and to your environment.
- • Find out your greatest needs, attachments, desires, etc. Be as critical as you can.
- • Try to live in the now.
- • Don't identify yourself completely with your actions, your body or your mind.
- • Try to be more open towards other people. Express your true feelings as much as possible.
- • Remember that everyone has the potential to attain higher levels of awareness.
- • Don't avoid difficult situations.
- • Try to put yourself in other people's shoes.