How to exercise when you are asleep

Believe it or not, you can actually achieve a fair measure of good health with your eyes shut.
I am talking about sleeping and "exercising". I do not mean exercise in the actual definition of the word.
Many Zen masters have done it and are still doing it but they do not have the words to describe it. Ever try asking a Zen master to explain his actions. He usually gives you a koan. In other words, it is a situation that may or may not try an understanding of your problem and at the same time provide a solution to your woes.
Sleeping and exercising? How weird is that, you may ask. Well, my friend, if you don't believe me, you can try this the next time your head hits the pillow.
Think of a happy situation while drifting to slumberland. Preferably, you are engaging in an activity that opens the floodgates of joy and serenity.
A restful heart leads to a relaxed body and a relaxed anatony sparks a chain of physical reactions that helps a tired body to recuperate and rejuvenate.
Alternatively, you can imagine yourself being bathed in an aura of healing golden light. That's done just before you slip into that eye-movement stage that denotes that you have entered the realm of deep sleep.
The mind is the engine that opens the portal of the soul. Why do we actually sleep? We sleep because there can only be so much in a day that we can physically accomplished.
Human beings need sleep to re-charge and re-vitalised. Only entities without physical forms don't need to sleep. Mortals like us do.
People talk about being healthy without really exerting the effort. Nothing comes without effort, whether it be mind of physical. Basically, nothing's free. Not even sunshine and fresh air.
Notice how strong the sunshine is these days, or how polluted the air has become? Why? It's because for eons we take sunshine and air for granted. Well, since Al Gore came up with all his theories about global warming and its consequences, it suddenly dawned on us that we are now paying a high price for being negligent about Mother Nature and Mother Earth.
This principle applies even to our health. All sane people want to be healthy and live a long and prosperous life. But many of us don't want to plants the seeds of good health.
We do not have healthy thoughts. We do not harbour positive feelings and we do not invest in optimistic lifestyles.
Reap what you sow. This line is 2,000 years old. It was true then, it is still now.
If you go to sleep happy, chances are you will wake up happy. Plesant thoughts pave the way for a relaxed night, or even afternoon. Who in his right mind wants to wake up feeling miserable?
Go to sleep with the thought that you are a spirit embarking on a journey of self-discovery and self-rejuvenation. Do it, not just tonight but every night henceforth. In the domain of restful sleep are found vistas of joy, happiness and everlasting good health.
Go and explore these worlds beyond your wildest imagination. If you think millionaires have it good all the time, then you know nothing. A lot of wealthy people don't sleep easy. Simply because they are afraid to lose what they have, or they want to have more than their nearest rival.
When our eyes are shut, equality reigns. The path to a healthy body and a healthy mind is well paved in a good night's sleep. Don't believe me. Try it for yourself.

Make up your mind

Do you know what's more important than exercise? It is to make the decision to exercise.
Many of us want to be healthy, strong and rich. However, most of us would settle just on being healthy. It is not such a tall order. Exercising is as easy as lifting the spoon into your mouth.
But for some of us, even lifting the spoon has become a chore. It really doesn't matter what manner of exercise that you wish to embark upon. The crucial aspect is that you have told yourself that you will exercise everyday for 30 minutes for the rest of your life.

Is exercise really that daunting? No, I don't think so. I have been doing it for at least 40 years. Yes, it's true, we will arrive at the grave no matter how long and hard we exercise but why let ourselves be carried to our graves.
We really owe it to ourselves to have a healthy vehilce (body) and use it to the maximum.
When a person is determined to be healthy, he must promise himself that all the hogwash about being healthy is just eating the right food, then I believe that person is wrong.
Exercise is a mental commitment. You must want to exerice and then you do it. Don't wait till next year or until your first children is born. Just exercise.
Healthy begins first in the mind, then the mind tells the body to get on with it. Then the body emits signals that it wants to stay fit and achieve fitness. A plan of action takes seed in the mind.
This will soon be followed by action and finally by the grace of thought that tells you that you have made a mental commitment to yourself.
Henceforth, you will no longer be a sissy or allow others to tell your so. The shelf life of your current body is dependent on how well you look after it. You only have one body, may as well work hard on it.
Your will never know what surprises lurk around the corner from you.