People generally know that we hold tension in our neck and shoulders. Zen meditators often suggest being grateful for the Zen stick lightly slung over their shoulders to relieve tightness and stay alert. The lesser known area where stress accumulates is in the face and the powerful method of using a lighted smile during meditation can relieve mental tension and evoke balance and joy.
The enlightened smile is the one you see on serene statues and images of Buddha meditating, not the smiling, meditating one. The relaxation and euphoria released from the simple act of relaxing the face and subtly grinning is remarkable and a secret to ‘good’ meditation. It is important to relax both body and mind during meditation.
While we can use the zen stick for our shoulders, it would be a bit harder to relax the facial muscles that way, except for the really hardcore. So we can use a lit smile to relax our face, calm our mind and activate joy and love. Using the meditation, the smile melts from the selfish tension etched in the faces from constantly maintaining a persona. In other words, by relaxing our facial muscles we can drop all the masks and finally let the face be itself.
The illuminated smile facilitates an even state of mind, a calm balance. When we add a little smile to this relaxed face, we both express and reflect the joy of meditation, the natural bliss that comes from relaxing and letting go.
Meditation should be a joy. Meditation can be a time of peace and tranquility, a refuge of deep serenity. Being alone with your sense of being, without having to make anything up or go anywhere, can be incredibly relaxing and enjoyable; allowing the simplicity of being in the moment without effort or striving. This kind of meditation deserves to be decorated with an imperceptible smile.
The smile is the sign that everything is okay, everything is good, even the bad things. That’s the power of the enlightened grin: in the midst of life and all its complexities, you can sit down, relax and laugh about it. In that moment we can touch a peace within ourselves that is always available, despite the situation.
I’m not saying that all you have to do is smile to solve all your problems. I just share meditative secrets to help people find peace and happiness. Our body and mind work closely together, so if you can relax the body and face, you can relax the mind and calm your thoughts more easily.
At first it may be a matter of ‘faking it ’til you make it’, but ultimately, if you really relax and can actually drop your thoughts and find some space in your consciousness, you can radiate a warmth and friendliness that comes from an open attitude. and relaxed mind. Then your smile is sincere and radiates with the heart and soul with which you connect during the mediation.
Chad Foreman is the founder of The Way of Meditation and has been teaching meditation since 2003, determined to bring authentic meditation practices into the lives of millions of people in the modern world. Chad is a former Buddhist monk who lived in a retreat hut for six years and studied and practiced meditation full-time. He now has over twenty years of experience teaching meditation. Chad likes regularly
Meditation retreats on the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Online meditation coachingprovides three online programs – The 21 Day Meditation Challenge to gradually guide people from the basic principles of mindfulness and relaxation to profound states of consciousness.
Breathwork to help manage stress and go deeper into meditation and
The bliss of inner fire This is a Buddhist tantric method to clear energy blockages and connect with the clear light of bliss. You can also get Chad’s free ebook now Insights on the go.