How are we doing with balance in our own lives? Are we trying to squeeze a little more in each day, pressing on until we become chronically fatigued or enervated? What would happen if we simply slowed down a little? Would everything suddenly go away? Would life pass us by never to return? Or would we perhaps feel more rested and whole, balance maintained.

Creating the intention of balance, whatever that looks like in our individual lives, allows the healing process to flow. Simply turning in the direction of balance whether that means slowing down, getting more sleep, better nutrition, or moving our bodies is, in the natural world, akin to turning our attention to the evening sky. Making the choice in that moment is the reward itself. Our mind is at peace. We see the wonder of the sunset, we hear the joy in the bird’s song, and our bodies are calm and comfortable. We are free to let life flow.

By Donald K. Williams, D.O.

As we learn to trust the mind in its natural state, and let go of the need to direct action, we feel more and more relaxed. This is fortunate because relaxation is a prerequisite to healing. Relaxation means more than the absence of stress. Relaxation is a state that has no limitation to its depth. As we reach deeper states of relaxation while still awake, we give the renewal process more momentum to work its magic.

It is important to understand that the ability to sit in a relaxed, meditative state is innate and natural. But the fast paced demands of our culture have a firm undertow; we become less familiar with producing this meditative state so conducive to a state of healing.

Many of us have become conscientious about improving our health. We work hard at exercising, getting good nutrition and sleep, engaging in regular prayer or meditation, and addressing psychological wellness to name just a few. Although all of these lifestyle choices help improve our health, we still would like to get more in return for the investment – we would like to feel better longer and more often.

Let’s dig a little deeper; by doing so, we may discover an easier, more direct route to achieving a state of healing. By creating the intention that we are going to be part of the healing process we create momentum to go in this direction. The challenge here is to create intentions that are in cooperation with the laws of nature. Mind over matter does not work if it is not in line with the natural world. Being too rigid or controlling with our intentions impedes the creative process. Balance is an important law of nature. Indeed, everywhere we look, nature continually achieves it’s own balance whatever the circumstances.

What was the mind doing at that moment we experienced this beautiful sunset? It was focused, but not fixed. Our mind was tracking the clouds ever so slowly and we were complete in the appreciation of how effortlessly they moved.

What was the body doing? We were aware of the way our whole body felt. In fact, it felt homogenous. Our arms felt just as comfortable as our legs, trunk, and head. In that moment, we were unified and whole.

What were we hearing? Perhaps the only thing we noticed were the sounds of the birds singing or some gentle music in the background resonating in harmony with our healing state.

What this tells us is that we can affect our ability to heal by directing our awareness properly. Awareness is an intrinsic part of our mental activity; it keeps track of what is going on and narrates the story of life as it plays out. Operating from our awareness is less about directing our lives and more about paying attention and making observations. Allowed to exist in its natural state, this part of our mind can help bring us to those moments of peace and healing which are actually always there waiting to be noticed.