SHVETASHVATARA UPANISHAD

If you are practicing meditation regularly, be sure to get adequate physical exercise. This is very important. The deeper your interior life, the greater the need for vigorous physical activity. people sometimes fall into a kind of lethargy in the mistaken belief that this is what it means to work without tension. It is just the opposite. The body is our instrument of physical service, and it thrives on vigorous movement. If you are young or already in good condition, "vigorous" here means vigorous. Swimming, running, and fast paced sports that require concentration are all excellent, exercise. But unless you are in con dition, do not jump into such activities immediately Work up to them gradually. If you are over thirty-five or have any particular physical problem, ask your doctor to start you on an exercise program.

In meditation we gradually reduce our obsessive identification with the body. The body will begin to feel lighter, our step will be more buoy ant, and our senses will come more easily under our control. By getting plenty of physical exer cise, we help this process along.

Parvamani.