In a captivating dialogue with MysticMag, David Spector unveils the nuances of the Natural Stress Relief (NSR) program, offering a fresh perspective on meditation amidst the pervasive stress and anxiety of today’s world.
By steering clear of traditional concentration-based methods, NSR invites practitioners into a gentle exploration of the mind, guiding them toward the serene waters of pure awareness. This tranquil state, hidden beneath the surface of our daily thoughts, offers a sanctuary of peace, energy, and freedom. Spector’s conversation with MysticMag not only delineates NSR’s unique stance in the meditation realm but also illuminates its profound capacity to unearth and release the deeper stresses that elude ordinary relaxation practices.
Through this engaging dialogue, readers are invited to journey with Spector into the heart of NSR, uncovering stories of transformation and the promise of a more peaceful, fulfilled existence amidst the whirlwind of contemporary life.
How does the NSR program differ from other meditation techniques, particularly Transcendental Meditation?
NSR, which stands for Natural Stress Relief, is distinct in that it does not involve concentration. Unlike other methods, we don’t focus on maintaining or excluding specific thoughts. Essentially, we’re not attempting to control or eliminate mental activity. Instead, our approach is to explore the mind’s depths to discover its origin.
In our practice, we begin with a thought and trace it inward through progressively quieter levels of thinking until the thought dissipates. This process leads to a state of quietude, which we identify as the mind’s source. This source, or pure awareness, is devoid of thought yet is the wellspring of our mental stream. People have various relationships with their thoughts—some find them intrusive, while others enjoy them. However, discovering thought’s origin unveils significant power, energy, happiness, peace, and freedom. These qualities lie concealed behind our thoughts.
Therefore, the primary distinction of the NSR technique from other meditation forms is its lack of focus on concentration. Instead, we emphasize the process of transcending, which we’ll delve into further as this interview progresses.
Can you describe the foundational principles behind the NSR technique and its approach to reducing stress?
The core principle of the NSR technique lies in the understanding that within any active state, there’s a deeper state of rest available. For example, from walking to sitting, from sitting to lying down, and from lying down to falling asleep, each transition represents a move towards greater rest. In NSR, we navigate through progressively finer states of thought during the waking state until we transcend thought altogether and enter a state of pure awareness. This transition is not just a mental process but also has a corresponding physical aspect. Every mental activity is mirrored by a physical state, and in this case, the physical counterpart is a profound state of rest, deeper than what we achieve through normal sleep.
This profound rest enables the release of stress, which is one of the primary functions of sleep, including the REM or dreaming phase. However, the transcendental state of consciousness accessed through NSR facilitates the release of even deeper-seated stresses that are not typically resolved through regular sleep and dreaming.
What motivated the development of the NSR program, and how has it evolved since its inception?
The NSR program was conceived around 2003 by Dr. Fabrizio Coppola, a professor in Italy with a deep interest in spirituality. Dr. Coppola, also an author of five books, embarked on a research journey with a group of colleagues to explore various spiritual techniques and identify the most effective one. Their extensive comparison led them to Transcendental Meditation (TM), which they found exceptionally effective due to its consistent results and the wealth of scientific research supporting it.
However, they encountered significant barriers, including the high cost of TM and logistical challenges related to the need for in-person instruction, which could require travel across Italy. Motivated to make this powerful technique more accessible, Dr. Coppola and his team endeavored to create their own instruction course. They developed a printed manual that mirrored the TM technique’s effectiveness but was more affordable and accessible.
I joined the project in 2006, drawn to contribute to this groundbreaking work. Dr. Coppola welcomed my involvement, and one of my initial tasks was to revise the manual to ensure it was easily understood by a broader audience, moving away from an Italian-centric perspective. Following Dr. Coppola’s passing, interest in Italy waned, but I took on the mantle to continue promoting NSR globally, extending its reach through translations and leveraging the Internet for free support resources. This has allowed NSR to evolve and cater to a diverse, worldwide audience.
How does NSR facilitate a state of restful alertness, and what are the key benefits practitioners can expect?
NSR operates on the principle of experiencing thought and it’s progressively quieter states until even the subtlest impulse is transcended, leading to a state of pure awareness. This process is effortless and swift, requiring only a few seconds to achieve a state of restful alertness. Pure awareness is akin to our normal state of consciousness but experienced more vividly and without the obfuscation of stress. This clarity provides a pathway to lasting peace and happiness, found within our own pure consciousness.
The immediate benefit of contacting this level of pure awareness is the dissipation of psychological and relational issues, as the blissful nature of pure awareness overshadows potential problems. Post-meditation, while re-engaging with the demands of everyday life, one may still encounter stress, but its impact is diminished through the practice of transcending and the deep relaxation it induces. With consistent practice, the accumulated stresses in our nervous system, which are essentially overloads of experience, begin to release. This release manifests as improved energy levels, better sleep, enhanced creativity, increased intelligence, and foundational peace and happiness.
An illustrative personal experience I had with stage 4 cancer highlights the profound impact of NSR. Despite the diagnosis, there was an absence of fear and an embrace of the experience as an adventure. This attitude, markedly different from the common response to cancer, underscores the transformative effect of transcending stress and fear through NSR practice.
Could you share a success story or impactful testimonial from someone who has practiced NSR?
Among the approximately 3,300 clients I’ve had, each one has its own success story with NSR, discovered primarily through word of mouth and online searches, given the minimal publicity our program has received. Most of my clients have benefited significantly from the practice. However, a few encounter challenges, often due to the misconception that effort is required in the practice, which is contrary to NSR’s principle of effortless practice.
A notable success story involves a surgeon who was struggling to integrate the NSR practice into his demanding schedule. The standard NSR practice involves two 15-minute sessions per day, which he found difficult to maintain alongside his professional and family responsibilities. By adjusting the practice to fit his schedule, and breaking it down into smaller, manageable segments, he was able to maintain regular practice. This adaptation helped him to significantly reduce the burnout he was experiencing due to his intensive workload. This change not only benefitted his personal well-being but also his professional efficacy and family life.
This story is just one among many testimonials I receive, which I never solicit but am always pleased to share on our website. It’s particularly rewarding to note that about 20 doctors now recommend NSR to selected patients, recognizing its value in managing stress and enhancing overall well-being, especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare.
Find out more at: www.nsrusa.org
