Power Through Repose - 23 Self Help Classics

Annie Payson Call

This book, “Power through Repose,” is a guide for learning how to truly relax in a manner that is most beneficial to the human body, soul and mind. Repose is defined as the act of resting, free from worries and peace of mind - something everyone could enjoy and appreciate - and this book provides the manual for gaining power through tranquility, or repose.

Americanitis

Beginning with the proper care of the body, most

Americans, as stated by Call, have the worst cases of nervous tension and this is evident in the booming pharmaceutical industry, especially with their prescriptions for nervousness or anxiety. The reason people suffer from nervous frustrations is because they are being disobedient to the laws of Nature.

Overwork and lack of rest and relaxation are noted as the fault of the victim and therefore, they can be corrected by learning how to relax, getting a good night's rest and stepping back to evaluate our work situation. Prevention should be taken instead of harsh and costly medications. “Look out, not in; look up, not down; lend a hand” cures Americanitis. If Americans who were

suffering would lend to this example their nervous tendencies would disappear allowing for power through peacefulness.

Sleep

Sleep, in particular, is necessary for successful bodily functioning. Even though we may “sleep” at night, we are

unable to fully benefit from a full night's rest because for most it is impossible to relax the tensions from the body without a directed effort. Natural sleep allows the conscious mind to refresh itself, and as children this gave us our daily strength and required power for physical growth. We must sleep enough hours to fully rest our body as is required, and most people are aware of how many hours they must have to be fully rested for the next day. Before sleep we must clear our minds, relax our muscles and concentrate on sleeping.

Concentrate

Concentration is the use of the brain, and should be utilized every time we read or think about anything. Rather than multi-tasking, we must be focused on our task at that moment. Listening only requires the brain and ears, yet most people are thinking about what they are doing for dinner instead of concentrating on the conversation. Then, our

intellect starts in on us and we get nervous as we start to try too hard - never try too hard to force your brain or eyes to learn. This will evolve through concentration and continued efforts.

Speech

“The old philosopher said the seat of the soul was in the diaphragm.

However that may be, the word begins there, soul and body; but you squeeze

the life out of it in your throat, and so your words are born dead.”

Whenever someone speaks, they typically have some sort of nervousness manifest in their body and release, such as waving their hands, raising and opening their eyes, and even touching the other person. Yet all of this is counterproductive to the main goal of speaking to get the message across. Some people like to shout or talk with a nasally tone - we should always check our tone and “how we propel our voice” because this tends to also cause problems. The nervous system and voice constantly react on each other, so keep this in mind

during moments of rage or frustration or excitement. “Take the bone and flesh sound from your voice,” meaning be easy on

the body as we speak. People with nerves need to use a quiet, mellow voice in order to convey to others and themselves that they really are calm.

Other noteworthy points in this book where that whenever we write, we should never hold the pencil with tension, but instead with the loose, relaxed muscles in the hand. There was also mention on the proper technique of lifting, which should be done with the legs. When lifting, thought should be given to lift with power instead of strain, since the leg muscles have much more power than the back.

Pain and Suffering

The book contends that God wants everyone to obey the laws of Nature, but if we fail then we will most definitely suffer.

It is our fault that we are in pain and miserable, and it is our job to make our lives better. The secret is to use muscular

instead of nervous force - direct with our directing power; work with our working power. Walking is the most natural exercise for our body, and of course, we should use our muscles instead of nerves to walk.

Pain, on the other hand, is not natural, and it comes from an abnormal state somewhere in the nervous system. Most

people react to pain through their nervous system. This makes the nerves more tender and sensitive as the pain continues to grate on them. Pain is a sign to let go of something, not to hold on to it, and we should do this to end the feelings of pain. For instance, whenever we are going to the dentist, we are racked with nervous anticipation and work ourselves into a frenzy for no reason at all. This awakens all of our senses and nerves, leaving one more exhausted than simply necessary.

Emotions are a Sham?

Emotions are imaginary. However, as anyone who has experienced a panic attack or a fainting spell will testify,

emotions have real effects on the body. People who are lead by their emotions soon burn out from the effort and develop a stone heart.

There are two types of emotions – real emotions that increase the power of wholesome use to others, and sham emotions that cause a loss of strength. Mistaken sympathy is often given to people who are hurt, but this will cause even more nervous strain, making us increase their suffering. When someone becomes emotional, we should be indifferent, and while listening not allow the emotional impact to have an effect on ourselves. Keeping emotions buried away is also dangerous

because eventually the person will blow up with a bursting of repressed feelings.

Bursts of anger such as temper flares are the failed attempt to control a temper. Let the temper go and you will remain calm. Self-consciousness and personal annoyance are an extent of nervous tension, and various forms of egotism create extreme nervous strain. These nervous ticks are inherited and once they are acknowledged they should be forgotten because “nature shows us constantly that behind every action there should be great repose.” Think of how

simple and free a baby is, who has yet to “learn” from watching others how to respond with nervousness. Natural repose is

gained by relaxing with a clear head, quiet mind and obedient muscles capable of doing all the physical labor. True relaxation is achievable by lying flat on the back on a hard surface and give way to the body as much as possible so that it seems to meld into the ground. Do this daily to truly receive relaxation for the body. The power to “let go” causes an increasing

sensitiveness to all tension, which as unpleasant as it always is to find mistakes of any kind in ourselves, brings a very happy result in the end.

Deep breathing exercises help the body relax. To do this start by letting the body relax and then take longer, deeper

breaths with your eyes closed as your body starts to relax. True equilibrium with tension and relaxing leads to a more

wholesome harmony of rhythmic life. The object is to let the muscles do the work naturally so the body can become more free and agile. Think about how the neck is often filled with the most tension causing headaches and neck pain. This is hard to overcome and release the tension here because it is at the base of the brain that has been overstimulated. Concentration of the mind is required as it focuses the force being

exasperated by the body and mind. Normal exercise stimulates the mind whereas overexertion steadily weakens mental power.

This can be testified by people who “burn out” in their careers even though they have a passion for them whenever they are overexerting their energies too soon. Worry also causes brain tension and should be shunned from the mind.

People who are finding themselves burning out in their daily affairs should follow these steps to prevent such a catastrophe:

1. Trust in one's own capacity for freedom and quiet (gain self- confidence)

2. Seek equilibrium and balance between work and relaxation

3. Focus and improve on your work daily

For people who are finding difficulties in their personal affairs, be quiet and love others. Do not meddle in others personal business and leave them alone to do their own life's work. Everyone must do their own learning and living, and by

“bothering” these people we are really being selfish and do not truly have the others best intentions at heart. However, it is hard to leave others alone when our self is not loved, so make sure to love thyself first by taking care of our own body, mind and soul. We should be our own focus.

While it is crucial that we are able to free our body before directing our will on others, development takes time and is a step-by-step process that cannot be taken lightly or

underestimated. We must erase previous impressions. This can be achieved through concentration on what we are thinking about, and pushing all other tendencies to the wayside. Repose and a free body and mind lead to an “opening of all facilities for better use.”

Is this Program for Me?

People that suffer from migraines, anxiety and nervous tendencies, stress-related illnesses and certain mental illnesses would definitely benefit from this program. By teaching others how to use their muscles rather than nerves to accomplish

daily tasks without harming our bodies, all kinds of people

would learn how to take better care of themselves. Also, nurses and other medical professionals can benefit from using this more integrative medicinal approach to solving medical conundrums that are more mental than organic.

Sum of it All

The “Power through Repose” is a practical guide for

teaching everyone how to use their body as it was meant to be used, instead of using nerves to complete the labor. Once a person realizes the effects of overtaxing the nerves and how this is so unnatural, they can begin to use their body in a more effectual manner. By providing actual relaxation techniques, and through the use of deep breathing and concentration of our efforts, anyone interested in making their bodies work for them more efficiently will be able to find the answer in this book.

In document 23 Self Help Classics (Page 121-130)