We can control our stress levels of breathing, posture, movement, and with language. For example, we can say to ourselves (or hear someone say to us), "Breathe deeply." "And take in yet another, even deeper breath." In this way, we can use language for accessing a calm, centered and focused state.

This illustrates one of the many powers of language. There are others. By using language, we can also layer one to many multiple meanings upon things. Take breathing for example. What does it mean to "Take a deep breath."? At the first level we have associative meaning—the meaning of connection and linkage. And at the next level up, we can construct other meanings. This creates contextual or frame-of-reference meaning. If at the first associative level we connect breathing with relaxing, then what does deep breathing relaxation mean? Perhaps, "developing my skills at relaxing." And what does that mean? Perhaps, "taking charge of my relaxing skills." And what does that mean? "Becoming more resourceful as a human being." And what does that mean? Perhaps, "Becoming more confident and productive."

And with each meaning and each level, the importance of the words that we choose to use effects our states. And with each layer of meaning, we envelop our experience with yet another set of qualifiers for helping us to be more in touch with our relaxed core state. In this state, we are feeling centered, calm, focused, aware, energetic and at ease.