Rest: An Examination
I. “Escape”
When we are near, or reach a point of exhaustion, our natural inclination may be to “escape.” To run, quickly and far, from the source of our exhaustion.
Upon reflection, we may realize:
When we “escape,” life returns us to the place we ran from.
Understanding what effective rest looks like for us, under different circumstances, may safeguard us from exhaustion.
The intention here is to examine, and specifically tailor our rest.
II. Kinds of Rest
Relief - The removal of a weight, burden, responsibility, even ambition, from our life, even if temporary. Relief may look like silence (ie. away from a crying child).
Recovery - From an experience, activity, or injury. Recovery may involve reflection, and abstaining from that activity for a period of time.
Relaxation - A massage, spa, beach.
Entertainment - A diversion, recreation, or pastime. Engaging in a sensory experience to diffuse recurring thoughts, obsessions, and worries. For example, listening to music or comedy, visiting a museum, people watching at a cafe.
Calm, Clarity, Comfort - Time out in nature, or a conversation with a trusted friend or therapist. Particularly, during moments of overwhelming worry, or when facing a delicate decision.
Sleep - Unlike other kinds of rest, sleep excludes thinking, sensing, daily emotions, and physical activity. And, combines darkness, solitude, and stillness.
III. Effective Rest For You
You may notice the kinds of rest differ in the following ways:
Doing and Non-Doing
Internal and External
Consumption and Abstinence
Alone and Together
Physical and Mental
Rational and Emotional
To understand what would be effective rest for you, under each circumstance, ask:
Do I really need to “escape” the physical space I am in? (ie. maybe I need sleep)
Who could help? (ie. do I seek the removal of a burden, or calm, clarity and comfort)
If I am honest with myself, how much time do I need to rest? (ie. 15 minutes in nature, or 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep)
What percent of my exhaustion is attributable to: i) thinking (obsessions); ii) feeling (fears); and iii) movement (physical activity)?
IV. Consider Ignoring
As we think about what effective rest may look like for us, we can also diffuse our conditioned reactions.
In the past, what value have the following offered you?
guilt
worry
self-flagellation
avoidance
over-indulgence
V. Risk
When we fail to rest effectively - to specifically tailor our rest to what we need - we invite exhaustion.
When we allow exhaustion, we render ourselves incapable of compassion (ie. ignoring the cries of a loved one).
Perhaps, the greatest threat to our love and devotion is the unforeseeable risk that accompanies exhaustion: indifference.