The Relaxation Response
The use of mantras is certainly not new in the far East but it is in its infancy in the West. Herbert Benson, M.D. in his bestseller "The Relaxation Response" states that we have come to believe in and understand the fight-or-flight reaction. We know how we react to stress--and we know how to create the illnesses caused by stress. He believes that we have an equally-important "Relaxation Response" built into our nervous systems that is elicited by reciting a mantra. He outlines 4 simple steps necessary to elicit the relaxation response:

1) find a quiet environment,

2) consciously relax the body's muscles;

3) focus for ten to twenty minutes on a mental device, a word or prayer; and

4) assume a passive attitude toward intrusive thoughts.

This simple formula was well-tested by Dr. Benson.

Why not try it out? There are no side effects and the only thing this treatment will cost you is the time it took you to read this article . . . and the few minutes a day of practice involved.

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