Relaxing(riˈlaks) Into the Feeling of Being Alive

Relaxing(riˈlaks) Into the Feeling of Being Alive

By Leo Babauta

There’s a practice(ˈpraktəs) so simple that many people will discount it as not worthy(ˈwərT͟Hē) of trying(trī).

They’ll miss out on the transformative power of that very simplicity(simˈplisitē).

The practice is this: Sit still for a moment, and just feel what it feels like to be alive. Then relax into that feeling.

Yes, I know, sitting still for a moment isn’t something we want to do right now. We got things to do, man! But just try it, for a minute. Sit still and feel what it feels like to be alive, for you, right this moment. There’s never been another moment like this particular(pə(r)ˈtikyələr) one, and never will be again.

Let me repeat(riˈpēt) that: There’s never been another moment like this particular one, and never will be again.

That means that at this moment, we have the opportunity(ˌäpərˈt(y)o͞onitē) to fully(ˈfo͝olē) appreciate(əˈprēSHēˌāt) the miracle(ˈmirikəl) of this moment, and how it came to be from the infinite(ˈinfənit) number of causes that created it from preceding(priˈsēd) moments. We are alive in this moment because of millions of other people who have supported us, because of everything on this planet(ˈplanit), which just happened to be the perfect conditions for creating the person we are right this moment. What a freakin’ miracle!

So tune(t(y)o͞on) in, and notice(ˈnōtis) what it feels like to be alive right now:

What sensations(senˈsāSHən) do you notice in your body?

What is the energy(ˈenərjē) of those sensations? Does the energy change, or move?

What is the texture(ˈteksCHər) of your breath?

Do you notice pain, discomfort(disˈkəmfərt), tenderness(ˈtendərnis), tightness(tīt)?

Get curious(ˈkyo͝orēəs) and explore(ikˈsplôr), investigate(inˈvestiˌgāt), look even closer.

Take in the totality(tōˈtalitē) of your sensory(ˈsensərē) input, all at once, holding it in your awareness(əˈwe(ə)rnis).

Stay with this feeling, instead of moving on. Then stay a little more.

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https://zenhabits.net/alive/