Our hands are always busy. They have a tendency to reveal our states of mental ease or discomfort. Many people make nervous hand gestures, such as rubbing or wringing their hands, touching their face, tapping a finger, cracking knuckles, or biting their nails. When people first learn to meditate, they often find it difficult just to let their hands be still. They may start to restlessly rearrange the position of their hands or as soon as they experience a small itch, the hands fly up to scratch it.
When we deliberately try to relax our hands, the rest of our body and even our mind will relax and soften too. Relaxing the hands is a useful way of releasing tension and thereby quieting the mind.
Body and mind work together, when we can settle one, the other often follows suit. As a result the health of both is improved.
Instructions
Consciously try to bring your attention to your hands several times a day with the intention of letting them relax completely. For at least a few seconds keep them completely still by placing them in your lap and focusing your awareness on the subtlety of sensation that is present in your hands when they are at rest.
Reminding Yourself
Write the words ” REST ME!” on the back of your hands.
I look forward to hearing your experiences over the course of the week with this practice and may I also take this opportunity to offer a very warm welcome to all the new subscribers to this blog. Please do post a comment, it’s easier than you think!
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Image courtesy of orphanjones