ive
up; often the same remark, "If you will tell me what you want me to do,
I will do it;" the same inability to realize that the remark, and the
feeling that prompts it, are entirely opposed to the principle that you
are _wanted to do nothing, and to do nothing with an effort is
impossible._ In lowering the body it must "give" like a bag of bones
fastened loosely together and well padded. Sometimes when it is nearly
down, one arm can be dropped, and the body let down the rest of the way
by the other. Then it is simply giving way completely to the laws of
gravity, it will fall over on the side that is not held, and only roll
on its back as the other arm is dropped. Care must always be taken to
arrange the head comfortably after the body is resting on the ground.
Sometimes great help is given toward relaxing the muscles of the chest
and spine by pushing the body up as if to roll it over, first one side
and then the other, and letting it roll back from its own weight. It is
always good, after helping the separate parts to a restful state, to
take the body as a whole and roll it over and over, carefully, and see
if the owner can let you do so without the slightest effort to assist
you. It will be easily seen that the power, once gained, of remaining
perfectly passive while another moves you, means a steadily increasing
ability to relax at all times when the body should be given to perfect
rest. This power to "let go" causes an increasing sensitiveness to all
tension, which, unpleasant as it always is to find mistakes of any kind
in ourselves, brings a very happy result in the end; for we can never
shun evils, physical or spiritual, until we have recognized them fully,
and every mistaken way of using our machine, when studiously avoided,
brings us nearer to that beautiful unconscious use of it which makes it
possible for us to forget it entirely in giving it the more truly to
its highest use.

After having been helped in some degree by another, and often without
that preliminary help, come the motions by which we are enabled to free
ourselves; and it is interesting to see how much more easily the body
will move after following this course of exercises. Take the same
attitude on the floor, giving up entirely in every part to the force of
gravity, and keep your eyes closed through the whole process. Then stop
and imagine yourself heavy. First think one leg heavy, then the other,
then each arm, and both arms, being sure to kee