meditation

Although nowadays, many people enjoy a materially abundant life, it often comes at the expense of increased pressure from work, relationships, society, and family, leaving most people overwhelmed. Some degree of stress could, in some circumstances, be a driving force for progress. Nevertheless, both physical and mental health can be seriously affected when one is exposed to great pressure for a long stretch of time. To release pressure, massage, aromatic therapy, soothing bubbles, the recent trend in so-called "Slow Travel", etc. have become commonplace methods of stress reduction; some hospitals even provide "relaxation clinics" to teach people how to adjust their moods and to relax both physically and mentally, so that they can get recharged to face daily challenges again.   According to Time Magazine, every day, more than ten million people in the US try to relax and reduce their stress by way of practicing meditation. Other means include exercise, listening to music, working out in the gym, painting, yoga, Qigong, etc. In the midst of all these, Chan meditation has become "mainstream," being studied and practiced all over the world. In fields as diverse as medicine, sports, education, literature, and arts, people from East and West alike are approaching the ancient Chan practice through different perspectives. In business, employees are encouraged to apply Chan practice in their job and to train their body and mind. It is as though the body and mind could easily get anchored simply by holding onto the idea of "Chan" in work and daily life.   Bodily Awareness Through Relaxation Modern people are too good at neglecting the signals their body sends to them. It's just like filling up a balloon: only until it bursts do we finally realize that the body is truly too tense and too exhausted. Becoming aware of bodily sensations is the first step to relaxation. More often than not, people are quite unaw