REFRESH AND REJUVENATE AT YOUR INNER OASIS

Part of the enjoyment of a wonderful meal is reaching that moment where you feel sated — where you rest for a time in awareness and appreciation that you have just completed the meal that nourished you in many ways. For that perfect moment, you're neither hungry nor overly full.

As with the perfect meal, you can enjoy a moment where you temporarily cease from taking in and analyzing information, and rest in a state where you are not hungry, busy eating, or overly "stuffed." You consciously rest for a moment in an inner oasis that is always there awaiting your visit.

Why would you want to do this? Many reasons, not the least of which is finding respite from the feeling of being overwhelmed with information and/or responsibilities that plagues many of us these days. Many new studies show that such conscious "mini-retreats" help you to cultivate equilibrium and relaxation, which in turn supports greater overall wellness. And if that's not enough to convince you of the wisdom of visiting your inner oasis occasionally, sages of old and researchers anew confirm that creativity and genius require such "open space."

Give it a try right now. For just a moment, relax your muscles, breathe slowly and deeply, notice and release areas of tension, feel yourself centered in your body (re-distributing awareness that has been over-directed to your head), and enjoy a moment of non-striving. Pretend for a moment — or remember for a moment — that all is well, and feel a sense of perfect nourishment. If you wish, you might envision an open bowl into which pure, clean water is being poured; or you might envision a lovely flower that slowly moves from blossom to full, open bloom.

The point is to simply rest from thinking for a moment, rest from striving, rest from analyzing, rest from feeling lack, and rest in and be refreshed from a moment of perfect receptivity, gratitude, and being.

Hungry for more brain-tickling or inspiration? Visit the Ivy Sea Brain Food Cafeteria.

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