Vitality and Ecstasy

Vitality is the life energy that courses through us, enlivening our bodies and propelling our minds in new directions. Each of us has been given this precious gift of vitality, which is at our disposal for a matter of a few years but does not really belong to us. What we do with the gift of vitality makes all the difference. Mostly, we tend to squander it, not knowing how to relax our minds and bodies fully. We hold tension in our bodies unnecessarily, leading to pain and strain. And we expend mental effort on so many things that we know don't matter (beautifully captured in this video by Prince Ea).

What would happen if we gathered up all the vitality that we were investing unproductively and gathered it back into ourselves? I have found that this simple yet powerful gesture can bring me into a condition of ecstasy, which is the intense joy and delight arising from a state of exaltation. The word itself comes from the Greek ec, meaning "out," and stasis, or "standing." Ecstasy is the experience of self-transcendence when we step outside the normal boundaries of our perceived self and are drawn into something much deeper and more expansive--our true essential nature. This inherent self is vast, eternal, and interconnected to all things. Ironically, by gathering up the little bits of vitality that we were squandering, we come into contact with a limitless source of radiance within ourselves. From this deeper vantage point, we can transmit and direct vast streams of love and joy out into the world. Don't believe me? Then try it for yourself. See what happens when you break your link to the things that deplete your physical and mental energy. If you don't know how to go about doing this, one simple place to start is with a few minutes of Repose every day. That will get you started in an exciting and revitalizing new direction!

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