ABSTRACT
In Mindbalancing, relaxation is an important preparation for meditation and can be regarded as part of meditation. It aims at stilling body, mind and breath in order to slow down the frantic activity of the outer mind so that the inner mind can shine through. Physical relaxation is seen as a necessary first step in this. In this chapter the author focuses on two relaxations exercises – muscular relaxation and energisation – used in his Mindbalancing groups as preparation for meditation. In the Yogic tradition, muscular relaxation is important for spiritual development because it means withdrawing energy and consciousness from the wave and tension of muscular motions which are connected with the activities of the outer mind. After people have practised the relaxation exercises over a period of time and become familiar with physical tension and the breath, they can carry an awareness of physical tension and the breath into their daily life.
