A caveman out on a hunt or a soldier on the front line needs the stress
response in his body to have the energy to fight; the anticipation of the
life-or-death experience puts his whole body into a state of red alert. Stress
enables us to meet challenges, to push ourselves through heightening our
awareness and focusing concentration.
外出狩猎的穴居人可能前列作战的士兵体内都必要应激回响来引发战斗力;预见到非生即死的体验，这让他满身都进入了赤色警戒状态。压力使我们欢迎挑衅，促使我们进步鉴戒并齐集留意力。
But the stress most of us have is not from life-or-death situations, but
arises from an accumulation of much smaller issues. If our response becomes
increasingly stressful then the body will put out the red alert. We may feel
like a steam cooker coming to full pressure, but we are the only one who can
turn down the heat. Unfortunately we usually feel powerless to do so.
但我们大大都人面临的压力都不是存亡攸关的，而是源于小事的蕴蓄。假如我们的回响太过求助，身材就会发出赤色警报，我们会感受像压力锅压力到达极限，但只有我们本身能把热度降下来。不幸的是，我们老是感受本身无能为力。
We may have little or no control over the circumstances or stressors we are
dealing with, but we do have control over our response. No matter where we go or
what we do, the change that’s the most effective is the one within
ourselves.
我们也许险些节制不了排场或给我们造成压力的人或事，但我们简直能节制本身的回响。无论我们去哪儿或做什么，最有用的改变就是改变本身。
If we believe we cannot cope, then we’ll begin to lose ground; if we
believe we can cope, then we’ll be able to ride over any obstacles.
假如我们觉着本身无能为力，就会开始撤退;假如以为本身能行，那我们就能超过任何障碍。
It’s a change within our perception of our capabilities that will make the
biggest difference. In turn, this will help develop the relaxation response and
begin to normalize everything the stress response has put out of balance.
改变对本身手段的认知最重要，反过来也能辅佐我们放松本身的神经，慢慢让压力造成的失控排场步入正轨。
Luckily, we can transform our beliefs and our perceptions. The ability to
keep our peace and maintain an even-balanced state is one of the greatest gifts
that we can give ourselves.
荣幸的是，我们能转变本身的设法和观点。维持心田和善、保持均衡状态的手段是我们给以本身最好的礼品之一。
It is like a warrior. The greatest warrior in history is the one who is
calm—if he freaked out, then he would easily lose the battle. In the same way,
when our mind is stressed and tense, then we think everyone is attacking us or
taking advantage of us, and we can’t see anyone or anything objectively or
lovingly.
就像兵士，情感，情感，汗青上最巨大的兵士都很沉着——假如他畏惧了，就很轻易输掉战斗。同样，我们的精力在有压力和求助的环境下，我们会以为每小我私人都在针对或操作我们，我们就不能客观可能仁慈地对待人或事。
”Meditation really helps us not to panic or freak out; it brings us back to
this calm ground, where we can see ourselves clearly.”
“冥想真的能帮我们不惶恐不撤退;它使我们回归安静，以便我们能看清本身。”
