“Relaxation means releasing all concern and tension and letting the natural order of life flow through one’s being” ~ Donald Curtis
Life is getting more and more stressful for everyone if only we could learn the art of true and deep relaxation. In the picture below at the beautiful Andy Brown Park in Coppell Texas I witnessed a flock of geese swimming peacefully. Though calm and orderly above the water below they must’ve been paddling vigorously – another example of balancing ‘action with inaction’ and both are necessary!
Flowing with nature
Why do we find it difficult to meditate? We may sit quiet outwardly yet our mind is not relaxed and remains full of thoughts. It is the art of relaxing within that we need to learn and one way is to have faith in the natural order of life and flow with it.
Would you like to share with us your way of relaxing? 🙋
Breath of Joy 
What a lovely click! And your readers have given lots of useful tips there!
Meditation… The easiest as well as the toughest thing to do! Sometimes it happens effortlessly…
For me, meditation means being the true me… Blissful, energetic and everything/everyone around just like me… Sometimes, no efforts can make it happen! One thing common I have observed is, meditation cannot be done in the same way everyday. Sometimes, I have observed, some classical music (especially instrumental) ease meditation. Sometimes, my hubby plays my favourite raagas and I get lost in that flow… Sometimes, just observing what thoughts come and go as a silent spectator helps meditate… Sometimes, some shlokas help…
What are your ways of meditating?
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Meditating helps me relax but I find that I relax the most when I go on a silent retreat and get away from life’s worries for a little while. 🙂
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You are right meditation happens best when we are in calming ambiance. Thanks and wish you best Sarah.
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All the best to you too. 🙂
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I do Vipassana meditation as taught by Goenka Ji. Also, I do Chi Quang, I learned Chi Quang from a Chi Quang master, interestingly, he said I was a Chi Quang master in a past life. I don’t know if I was or wasn’t, not important to me, it is fascinating how it took to it like a duck takes to water, though.
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Oh how very wonderful know you have done Goenka Ji’s Vipassana meditation. I know many here have not been able to complete the entire course as it involves rigorous and soul searching.
And I marvel at you doing the other oriental practices of meditation too especially Chi Quang to the entire satisfaction of the Master Himself!
Well I am glad I have connected with you and now I wish you a wonderful New Year! Hari Om _/\_
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Indeed, it’s difficult to stay for the entire course, however, as Goenka Ji used to say: you are getting brain surgery, without any anesthetic and you are the surgeon.
So that kept me going!
Happy New Year, to you as well, Dilip. Namaste
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Oh these words are so perfect “brain surgery without …………and you are the surgeon”. 👍👍
The beautiful thoughts and pictures in your blog reveal your spiritual foundations. Best to you always . 🙏🙏
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Definitely breathing exercises and mindfulness of moment.
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Oh yes Maria breathing exercises and yoga are a good combination to practice as they lead us to mindfulness and awareness 🙂
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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When i m stressed or depressed I jus start with any one of Osho’s meditation or read a chapter from his books….
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Hi and welcome Swapna. Yes Osho’s wisdom can really do magic through his simple philosophy. The Osho Ashram in Pune is quite an amazing place full of creativity and peaceful vibrations.
Best wishes to you and to your near and dear ones a wonderful New Year.
Cheers 🙂
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Thx Dilip… You have an excellent blog.I m slowly going through your posts and i liked the Inspirational quotes.I ve heard about Osho’s ashram,my cousin goes there every 6 months.Dont know when i d get the permission to go there.Feels so nice to follow your blog….Advance new year wishes to you too..
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Hi Swapna it’s good to know of your interest in light spirituality. I have been to the Osho Ashram only on a few occasions but I am not an Osho-ite.
His spiritual and inspirational thoughts as well as his meditations are being incorporated in yoga classes as well as self-developmental programs. They are available on the YouTube too. So even if one is not able to go to the Ashram his knowledge is freely available. Anyone can visit the ashram and they run courses too though a bit expensive.
Thanks for appreciating my blog its kind of of you.
Kind regards and best wishes.
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I am a very relaxed guy. I saw myself on that quote. Well, it’s a good thing, bad thing.
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I am quite sure it is a good thing 🙂 Many find it difficult even to relax because their minds remain active.
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Excellent point, Dilip. It should be our first priority, but somehow living makes us too anxious. I wish I had mastered it already. Beautifully presented with the photo of geese.
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Paula I am glad you too feel relaxing must be made as our First Priority. Relaxation of the mind is real relaxation and but the more we try to master our mind it the tougher it gets 😦 😦
So the next best thing for us is to learn to “Just Let Go” 🙂 Even practicing it a little by little can be fun 🙂
I am sure Christmas preparations must be on 🙂 Best wishes always. 🙂
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Thank you, Dilip. I have to add that though I live in a Catholic country and am part of a traditional observing family, my work and style of living does no permit me to enjoy holidays – if anything it is only making my life more stressful. Best wishes to you and yours.
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Oh okay Paula I now understand your priorities for your professional commitments and respect you all the more for it. There is always a time for holidays and it is only then can we really enjoy them. Best wishes and be well always. Regards.
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Excellent topic raised , Sir 🙂 To have a truly relaxed state of mind, one needs to be self confident. Like the saying goes,”I am not afraid of tomorrow, because I lived today,” fear is our true enemy. Being active with quiet confidence brings true relaxation.
Hope you are doing good Sir!! 🙂
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What a lovely surprise my dear Dheeman after long 🙂 trust you are doing very well. If your blog is active I’ll try to check it out. Please do share your latest development in professional as well as personal front.
“It’s love that fear fears”! I like your term quiet confidence yes true it is.
Cheers 🙂
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Thank you so much for your concern. I am working as a Senior Analyst with an IT startup in Bangalore, feels great to work for for a startup!! Please do visit my blog http://dheemansrandomthoughts.wordpress.com/ if only you get some time !! 😀
Forever Loyal,
Dheeman Bhattacharya
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Dear dear Dheeman I am delighted to know you are doing very well as a Sr. Analyst in a Start-up. Yes one learns a great deal when working with a small enterprise.
We’ll keep in touch! Warmest regards.
Cheers 🙂
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Meditation. Sometimes sitting in a lotus and breathing methodically. And sometimes, simply sitting in a chair and trying not to think or worry about anything for as many moments as possible 😉 Comes well with practice :*)
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Oh how nice you already know the lotus or padmasana yes that’s the best but I do the easy one called Sukhasana. Or as you say just sitting and being calm and peaceful can help equally well to meditate.
It’s so nice to interact on yoga and meditation two countries – Siberia and India 🙂
Kind regards.
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_/|\_ 🙋
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😊 🙏
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I try hard, but I have not yet mastered that balance Dilip. Getting there though, slowly (very slowly) but surely 🙂
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Oh Madhu your commitment and your professionalism in travel, adventure and photography can only happen when the mind and heart are in balance.
Thanks you for the inspiration and regards 🙂
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My mind fights sitting down to meditation with a plethora of excuses. Once sitting, it’s always sweet, but getting there a trick.
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Good to read your response and for sharing your experience in meditation. For a yoga practitioner and teacher meditation is easier. I am honored by your visit.
Regards.
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Even Arjun of unwavering focus admitted in B. Gita that the mind is the most restless and untamed animal. If he can feel so, hum kis zhad ki patti hain?
I can never concentrate in mornings – b’cos the whole list of to-do start filtering in.
Evening times, maybe. But I need to keep reining the mind in, as it tends to wander, ponder, flounder.
Interesting post topic! Ur posts always make me think b4 commenting.
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I think most of us are in the same queue where deep meditation is concerned 🙂 Yes we all are in varying stages of Arjuna’s mind ~ ‘hum sab ek hi khet ki mooli hai’ 🙂 🙂
Yet it’s a good idea to keep making some effort to calm the mind even if the results are not visible immediately. And of course if we are passionate about our work or a hobby that too can rejuvenate us.
And BTW believe me when I say I write on what I feel at that moment even if means sharing wisdom of others 🙂 So I really don’t think much 🙂
Cheers and best wishes always!
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What a lovely picture…oh, I have never done meditation..but to answer your question, I find relaxation through certain activities like swimming, walking through the forests and scuba diving…These activities make me feel relax somehow..It sounds weird, isn’t it?
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Gracious of you to appreciate the picture.As the learned Masters say meditation is not essentially sitting in one place in the traditional posture. Meditation can happen when you start enjoying whatever you do – swimming, singing or walking in forests. As also when we are passionate about our work it is a form of meditation.
So its not weird at all 🙂
Have a lovely day.
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I just started back into meditating. I usually meditate each morning for 20 minutes. So good for all no matter how long or how short. I got sidetracked and out of my daily habits with the move and all. How I love routines Dilip. I am getting there. (:
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Oh Margie this happens to all of us at times. Mornings are always the best to meditate and 20 minutes is a very good span as it takes us about 5 minutes to let go of the unwanted thoughts. I always add some deep slow breathing (Pranayama) to my meditation. 🙂
Just returned from TX after a nice sabbatical of 3 months. Good wishes to you in every thing you wish to do.
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Hi Dilip! Hope you are cent percent Relaxed after your 3 month sabbatical in Tx and the jet-lag effect. Thanks for dropping in the other day and the good conversation we had. My health is now improving; this confinement is forced relaxation for me. Think,should be alright by Monday.
Take care!
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It’s always a treat to listen to you and learn from your enriching experience of life. You have lived life well by practicing many of the virtues enshrined in our scriptures.
Many good wishes for a speedy recovery. My jet lag seems almost over – thank you sir.
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Relaxation is attained when when there is no conflict between good and bad. We feel equanimity both in happy and bad times.
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Oh yes that’s a good one Harbans. The state of equanimity you mention can be achieved by practicing it in all aspects of living in our materialistic life. In Hindi we call it Nishkam Bhav(action with no expectations) and Samta Bhav balanced in all situation.
Thank you for your enriching comment.
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Thanks sincerely for your superb comments. Nishkam Bhav, when practiced in our life could make difference in our Karmic credit. This sort of a Bhav initially is difficult to be attained since we have self motive (we can term it materialistic one) to look for but when we learn about need for imbibing compassion in our life then Nishkam Bhav originates
in us.
My .gratitude for your inspiring response.
Regards
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Oh yes such deep virtues do not come easy and for the many not even in a life time. But the journey itself makes our life so much lighter and free.
Thank you for your valuable inputs.
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Life’ journey is easy if we are simple in thoughts and actions (Karma). We actually make this life so complex that we remain deluded and confused for there are so many explanation for a SINGLE ENTITY called GOD. We are neither here nor there and till our end we remain in search of ELDORADO of our own creation.
Wish that we follow a simple and modest life style and keep ourselves away from complexities which other people’s experiences tell us.
With regards
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Very true my friend, one always needs to take the time to smell the roses!
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Hello there dear Wendell what you say is so true and I am sure you do make time to enjoy the colours of nature.
Best regards.
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In this busy world we create Dilip it’s easy to get caught up in the trap of stress overload.. If only people would just remember to Breeeeeeeth……….. 🙂 Therein lies the key to the first steps of Relaxation.. 🙂
Loved your photo .. Enjoy your Peaceful moments and in-between breathes.. 🙂
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Sue your are right in India all our self development programs always emphaise on breathing techniques. I too follow one such process every day. 🙂
Glad you liked the photo 🙂 Bets always.
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I must congratulate for searching quotable quotes. When are you returning??
We miss you in SV, though not on the blog.
How do I relax??Quite a basic action.
I forget every thing, lie down in Shavasan and have a longish session. At times I am half asleep and when I wake up am fresh and fit.
Insha Allah
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Howdy Suhas my friend and thanks for your kind wishes. Oh boy shavasan is truly wonderful. I do the yog nidra but these days there is a gap :(. Will catch up with you soon 🙂
Regards.
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my idea of relaxing is Singiing high in the bathroom….so high that even neighbours cant stay in peace 😀
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ha ha bathroom singing jokes apart is a wonderful stress buster and sets you-up for the day ~ and I am sure the neighbours love it too 🙂 🙂
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So true… We all need to chill out!… We work better after that ⭐
All the best to you. Aquileana 😀
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Thanks Aquileana and for your good wishes. I warmly reciprocate and send you best regards. 🙂
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I am walking in the forest, away from the noise and I pick it offer me ( moss, bark … anything that will allow me to make bouquets )And then, i put the bouquets in my house and they give me serenity 🙂
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Christiane you are blessed to be in a beautiful country with a lovely surroundings and beautiful flowers. It’s nice of you to share merci beaucoup 🙂
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To relax first let go of all the trappings of technology…no phone,laptop,television. Take a walk with just nature around.
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Welcome to the blog Mira. Yes I agree if we wish to relax it’s important shed all gadgets and stuff and go to a serene place.
However do you agree the challenge lies in operating in a professional work environment and yet be in a relaxed state of mind?
Thanks aplenty for stopping by and sharing your valuable thoughts.
Regards and cheers ☺
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I agree, but for me I need to switch off…literally!
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Well well well! I must confess for me too. But I am trying to learn and practice the ‘art of balancing both’ the opposing forces. ☺
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I try to keep my mind free from thoughts during my morning walk. I find it quite relaxing. I make it a point to walk alone, and I do not listen to any music as well.
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Spot on dear Pro. Way to go. 👍
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I probably need to go to relaxation school or something because I do not really know how to relax.
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Ha ha with all the wonderful Wombies who can relax 😀😀😀
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The easiest way is to watch the trafic of the mind. You will be surprised not for a single moment there is a gap. Whenever there is a gap you feel relaxed and unburdened. You are light and graceful. The past is no more haunting you and future is not yet started. So the key is to LIVE IN THE MOMENT. One learns this by reminding oneself time and again when minder wander into past or future. Every moment is a reality. Facing and living fully whatever we do makes us more and more alive, Courageous,loving and compassionate towards all the happening within and around us. It is simple and easy but looks difficult.
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Ajay my dear friend your words are profound. Every word is full of wisdom. It is true we need to watch the gaps between our thoughts and try to be in the moment.
Many many thanks for the enlightenment 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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In today’s competitive world, people feel stressed out every minute. Their mind keeps on working on some or the other thing and in this course they forget to remove some “Me” time. Everyone should find time for themselves. Waking up early in the morning and going for a brisk walk in the fresh air would or doing something that makes you happy like reading, listening music, dancing . It depends from people to people. Love yourself and remove some “Me” time 🙂 .
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Ajay my dear friend your words are profound. Every word is full of wisdom. It is true we need to watch the gaps between our thoughts and try to be in the moment.
Many many thanks for the enlightenment 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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A beautiful comment indeed👍. Yes the biggest hurdle is to make time for some “me space”. Or else we get swept away in the turmoil of everyday chores.
Many thanks
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I used to think that I need to be next to a quiet beach in order to relax, thankfully nowadays, I simply close my eyes and go there – or meditate.
Have a wonderful day, my dear Dilip. 🙂
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That’s a simple and beautiful way to just be with nature and a beach I am sure is one such place. An artist’s creativity gets nourishment through the ability to relax and dear Marina you know well the art of relaxation.
With kindest regards 🙂
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Aw, thank you, my dear Dilip. Wishing you a beautiful weekend. 🙂
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letting thoughts go is not easy. Concentration Making the head empty as we say.
My easiest way is sitting in the garden and watching the birds sit and sing and then there comes NOTHING thoughts gone Perfect.
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Oh yes letting go is as difficult and so is relaxing 🙂 . I think it is not possible to empty but to fill the mind with positive thoughts in a garden watching the birds is a very good way.
Thank you so much for your interest in sharing your way to relax. Best regards always.
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What a lovely shot! We all meditate, we are just not aware of it. Prime example is when we are engross in doing something such as gardening and all of a sudden we realized where did time go? Go for a walk, that could be a walking meditation. Good question and I can guess you are still in USofA.
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I am always inspired by your comments Perpetua. That’s because you seem to be interested in spiritual thoughts and activities. It’s true when are genuinely focused in listening to music or relaxing in a garden or observing a plant or a flower we lose sight of time – yes that’s meditation.
With kind regards and joyful thoughts.
P. S. Oh yes I am still here in Texas and in a few days will head back home after a 3 month sabbatical 🙂
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Serene above, paddling furiously below . You chose the perfect representative for your message Dilip. Don’t we all feel that way sometimes? Great message Dilip
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Thank you Tina for the lovely comment. I am glad you liked the post! Regards.
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Very, Very True. Relaxation means ‘letting go’, stop thinking, stop worrying- Just lie down in the winter sun and enjoy the rays of the sun. I am always relaxed because i have handed over charge of myself to my Creator.
Love and Blessings.
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Thank you Surinder sir for your beautiful thoughts. Yes that’s exactly how one ought to relax. And I am aware that you do it in practice. A great inspiration for me personally and that’s how such blog posts emerge.
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Thank you, dear.
With love,
Surinder
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Relaxation through meditation isn’t easy for me … then again (and to be fair) I’ve never been taught or given it much effort … but, I know it helps many.
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Believe me Frank even trying to meditate effortlessly helps.
All the best 🙏
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