How To Get Relief From Relentless Striving

How To Get Relief From Relentless Striving

“Self-realization is effortless. What you are trying to find is what you already are.”

– Ramesh Balsekar

Hi, Fellow Humans. I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m calling out an element of our culture where I can see some room for change: the constant striving for MORE.

Many of us (me too!) can find ourselves stuck in striving mode. What does that mean? It means we’re not quite happy or content unless we’re working hard for MORE. That something could be more:

• Time
• Money
• Things
• Enlightenment
• Ideas
• Calm
• Peace
• Ice Cream
• Strength
• Confidence
• Power
• Control

Do you ever notice this about yourself? There’s never quite enough of, well, something?

What's the alternative?

Instead, let’s talk about the practice of non-striving. What!? What does that even mean? What’s going to happen if you drop the need to work, strive, and reach for what you’d like in this lifetime? Will everything fall apart?

Will you cease to make ANY progress? Will you wither on the vine of apathy and indolence? Will you stop caring to provide for yourself or your family? Will you become a dead-beat human, unworthy of the rewards of applying yourself as stridently as you can to every task in front of you?

Let me assure you, the answer is a very gentle and loving “no.”

Certainly, there is a time to apply ourselves with strength and perseverance to a task. We would not get anywhere if we always stopped at the first rung of the ladder, or quit each time an action got a little challenging. 

But, there is also a thing as trying too hard. So it is with meditation and movement as well. Let me suggest to you this week that plenty of good can come to you even when you’re NOT trying your hardest to acquire it. 

Often, it is enough to express a gentle desire, and then get out of the way and let the energy of the Universe do the work to bring the thing (or feeling or event or abundance) into your life.

Can you think of a time in your life when you tried and tried to achieve or acquire something, only to have that thing elude every attempt you made to grasp it? And then, once you finally let go of your striving, that thing (or something even better) practically landed in your lap without any significant effort on your part?

That’s the Universe winking at you, I bet. And it’s one of the greatest gifts of the act of ceasing the constant need to strive.

Yin Yoga for Non-Striving

In fact, there is an entire yoga method dedicated to stillness, relief, and non-striving. Of letting movement and relaxation (and eventually peace, calm, and contentment) come to you, rather than running full-tilt toward them. 

This yogic method helps us rejoice in the gift of being still and receiving whatever comes to us with acceptance, friendship, and even joy.

Here’s a link to a 30-minute Yin Yoga practice that can help you discover how good it feels to cease the relentless strive. (You’ll gain experience allowing, receiving, and knowing over chasing, trying, and falling short.)

I hope you’ll join Les in the link above, and begin opening to the idea that you’re enough, and it’s okay, sometimes, to let all good things come to you.

And here’s another idea I’ll float out on this topic: You’re utterly worthy of receiving, of rest, and of relief. 

Non-Striving as a Mindfulness Tool

Although our culture values doing and working toward one goal or another, there are examples in which non-striving is beneficial. Consider when someone has made a decision that we don’t like and we may want to change their mind.  Trying to control someone else will add additional AND unnecessary suffering.  It is helpful to know we only have control of own response and we can let go of trying to change someone else.

Additionally, meditation is a practice in which striving is generally unhelpful. When we have a certain expectation or are attached to a particular outcome, such as stopping our thoughts or instantly becoming calm, striving to get to these (unattainable) destinations gets in the way of any positive outcome. When this happens, we think we have failed and give up.

Get Support to Develop the Skill of Non-Striving

Non-striving does not come naturally to most humans living in 2021.  This concept, among other strategies, are discussed in the weekly group coaching meetings of our 6-week Movement and Meditation program.  These group meetings are extremely supportive and can be just what you need to have the accountability and encouragement you need to finally experience contentment and non-striving.

We’d like to invite you to learn more about supporting a Movement and Meditation practice in our 6-week program. Here, we’ll teach, support, and encourage you in making your self-care non-negotiable in your life, so that you can finally enjoy the self-made gifts of relaxation, better sleep, clearer mental focus, and confident decision-making. 

Les and I are excited to welcome you into a deeper understanding and love of yourself through gently moving your body and deepening your mindfulness through meditation---two practices that bring about more patience, naturally. 

Take care, everyone, and best wishes for the balance between going for what you want and the relief of rest and receiving.

With love and gratitude,

Sara and Les

The Mindful Movement

PS: Be sure to visit this LINK to learn more about our 6-week new healthy habit incubator, Move and Meditate: Self-Care You Deserve For a Lifetime. We’d love to help you make your new healthy habits a reliable part of the life you WANT.

Additional Resources:

If you are looking to dive into the world of meditation, a great starting point is our 4-Day Meditation Journey. This free program is a great resource for beginners and those looking to step back into the practice of meditation.

Members Oasis for: Unlimited access to all Mindful Movement Meditations and Hypnosis Practices; Exclusive Members Only Content added EVERY month; Practice anytime, anywhere.

Purchase your favorite Meditation and Hypnosis practices from the Mindful Movement. You can download an MP3 file to listen to anytime, anywhere with no internet access necessary.

A personalized hypnotherapy session will can support you in making a change you desire.  It would be my honor to help you through the process of change that you are looking for.

Let us know how we can help.  Please feel to leave a comment with any other suggestions, comments, or questions for the community!