The breakout principle fit in all the health benefits of the stress-reducing “relaxation response,” which measures the cardiovascular and respiratory responses to meditation. At the same time, it opens up the door to creative breakthroughs, spiritual insights, greater productivity and more.
The first stage of the breakout process begins with a hard mental or physical struggle. It may be concentrated problems analysis, demanding physical training or an involuntary event such as an assault on your emotional well-being.
The next stage involves “pulling the trigger.” The same mind-body device operates in every breakout trigger: you must first cut completely your previous train of thoughts and emotions. The critical distraction of prior mental patterns will enable you to shift your focus into new and more productive directions. This event has been described as a “letting go,” or “backing off” or “releasing” your mind from the hard-work mode. A wide variety of activities and thought patterns can act as a trigger, including walking, jogging, sewing, meditating or sitting in a beautiful setting.
The third stage in the process is the actual breakout, coupled with a “peak” experience. The breakout is always accompanied by a greater sense of well-being and relaxation and often leads to peak creative experiences.
The cycle finishes with your returning to a “new-normal” state—including an ongoing state of improved performance and mind-body patterns. Those who have enjoyed a breakout must always re-enter the world of struggle and stress. But now they are in a stronger position to rise to greater achievements or generate more deep ideas and insights. – Herbert Benson, M.D., and William Proctor
