Rest

The path of freeing your energy is arduous and extraordinary. The usual landmarks don't apply and it becomes instead a life of practice, partner work, time with your teacher and students, and rest. Rest is vital. Working on and with energy may not feel physically taxing but it takes its toll and can leave you frayed at the edges and even plunged into a strange reality for which only solitary recuperation is a remedy. The good student is usually one driven to work hard, so learning to rest properly and adequately is probably the most difficult task they will encounter. If they learn, success is assured, as long as they continue. Without it there will be very little real progress. In a way it is rest from the work, but keeping a part of your attention on your energy – the part that should always be on/with your energy. It is important to rest in an environment free of any pull or demand on your energy – away from other people, especially ones not particularly sympathetic with your path – but also away from the rigidity and hardness of your own rational mind. Far better, for example, to veg out in front of mindless TV than read a book.

The constantly chattering mind – the part that is always renewing and reinforcing both our self-image and the world around us – is also a real drain on your energy, and the skill of resting is to create yourself a secure enough environment (internal as well as external) – one without tension and anxiety – so that it can quieten down. It is only really when it quietens that you can relax and keep your mind naturally with your energy – feel energy. Rest then is just another aspect of the work – a simple and natural meditation.