Tension

Swami Chetanananda also talks about how tension is just crystallized energy. Think about it, tension is crystallized energy, what does this mean? Tensions in our life are usually things that we hold on to, and do not let them go or have resolve by communicating them to someone or simply to pray or meditate on that particular tension until it is released. Just like pain (tension is pain in a way just not the ideal pain we think of), tension can manifest itself in several forms: mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Examples of this include: Mental--being stressed out about school, work, performance etc., and holding on to that tension instead of resolving it or letting it go. Physical--having tightness, or tension, in the joints, musculature, or intestines. Sometimes one tension or tensions can lead to others. There is usually a way to resolve these tensions without using prescription drugs, or the infamous ibuprofen. Yoga, Pilate's, hot/cold contrast therapies, Epsom Salt baths and other treatment modalities (which are all natural) can be used to treat and help alleviate your physical tensions. Emotional--sometimes we have strong emotional tensions and turmoil, which usually starts itself out as a mental tension of some sort. This mental tensions cascades into emotional tensions. Just like mental tensions, if we reflect, pray and/or meditate on the certain tension and letting it go, we usually realize that its not that important to hold on to and there are more important things in life that we should shift our focus to, to get away from that tension, such as, family, friends, what we love doing, helping others in need etc. Spiritual--people have spiritual tensions in many ways. Sometimes situations arise that make individuals question their faith. Remember, pain is God's love. Life is not always going to be easy. I tell our athletes, if we were already perfect, we would have nothing to work on or shoot for, and life would be boring. We are impermanent beings. What does that mean? We will all die someday. Death is a part of life. It will come for us sooner than others, and sooner than we would like for some of our friends and family, and is something that we do not talk about a lot because we want to believe that we'll live forever and we are never going to die. Let's be real, and truthful though. A lot of people question their faith at these trying times and gives rise to spiritual tension. Others question their religion, and religious practices of others etc. Many people ask for God's help with several things, but how much do you take a step back, sit in silence, and listen to God? Try that, and not just for 30 seconds. Sit in silence and breath for at least 10 solid minutes, with an objective mind. As a thought arises, recognize that thought but don't hold onto it,let it go and let another arise or if there are no thoughts that's fine too. Do not look at your thoughts subjectively and analyze them, simply recognize them and then let them go. Hopefully this will help you with some tensions in your life! Have a great, tension free day!