People are in such a rush these days, living on the fast track—talking fast, eating fast, moving fast. What a difference from forty years ago! Did you know that this year you probably will make more appointments, meet more people, and go more places than your grandparents did in their entire lives? All this rushing around creates a life filled with stress.

Stress is a major problem in modern life. Technological advances have increased the pace of life. For example, computers now work in nanoseconds, which are billionths of a second. We now have hundreds of television channels. All of this creates a dizzying abundance of choices, yet at the same time eliminates jobs through automation. As a result, a smaller workforce handles a larger workload, often with a cut in pay. …

The Practice of Relaxation

To reach a level of calmness, there are several things you can do. One way to relax is to simply visualize yourself feeling relaxed and peaceful. After all, we cultivated our stress through visualization, so why not use the same principle to develop calmness.

Another way is to progressively relax your body, beginning with your toes and ending with your head. Breathe slowly and deeply and totally relax each part of your body. As you go along, say to yourself, “My toes, feet, legs and so on, are relaxed,” until you have gone through your entire body. Then rest for a while in the quiet and silence. Listening to a relaxation or meditation tape also may help you relax.

What you are doing is creating a sanctuary within yourself where you can go at any time, just by closing your eyes and desiring to be there. Your sanctuary is your ideal place of relaxation, tranquility, beauty, safety and calmness. I visit my inner sanctuary several times a week, for just a few minutes, and I always come back more relaxed and peaceful. …

Another approach to relaxation and calmness is conscious breathing. This is something that the great spiritual teacher and founder of Self-Realization Fellowship, Paramhansa Yogananda, emphasized in all of his books and home study lessons.

He encouraged taking a few minutes, several times a day, to breathe slowly and deeply, focusing on your breath. This will calm and soothe you and help you to slow down and get centered.

Cultivating Calmness
Although you are taking positive steps to relax, do not feel that you must live your life in slow motion. You can maintain activity. Your goal is to touch your inner fountain of calmness and bring that calmness to everything you do. This focused calmness will bring clarity, richness and new energy to your life.

I know of no more effective way of bringing about relaxation, calmness and a slower pace than through meditation—turning within in silence and contemplating your true nature as God created you. The calmness you feel during this daily practice will stay with you in everything you do.

Take time to nurture and protect that calmness by meditating regularly. You'll find that your life will become more rewarding, you'll get more accomplished, and you'll have more fun. Paradoxically, you will have more time to celebrate life when you incorporate meditation into your daily lifestyle.

Take time every day to cultivate calmness, and offer that calmness to everyone you meet. What a wonderful gift to give!

This article was excerpted from Unity Magazine.

Susan Smith Jones, Ph.D., has taught students, staff and faculty at UCLA how to be healthy and fit for 30 years. Susan travels internationally as a frequent radio/TV talk show guest, keynote speaker and holistic lifestyle consultant; she is also the author of over 500 magazine articles and 20 books. Some of her most popular books include her three-book healthy eating and living series published by Hay House entitled The Healing Power of Naturefoods, Health Bliss, and Recipes for Health Bliss as well as her other best seller Be Healthy—Stay Balanced. For more information, visit www.SusanSmithJones.com.